I'm 58 and lost my 6-figure job. Over a year of applications later, I still haven't found anything.

A 57-year-old actress posted an emotional video about being broke. She was ‘blown away’ by the response

Celeste Gay quit her corporate job at age 54 to pursue an acting career but ended up underemployed and in debt. Then she posted an emotional video from her car and was “blown away” by the response.

I’m 58 and lost my 6-figure job. Over a year of applications later, I still haven’t found anything.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Pete Petersen, 58, who has been looking for work since February 2024 after he was laid off from his corporate job. Petersen spent much of his career in the consumer products healthcare division of a pharmaceutical company. He suspects his age and salary expectations have hurt his chances of finding a white-collar job. His words have been edited for length and clarity. I live in Hingham, Massa…

I'm 58 and lost my 6-figure job. Over a year of applications later, I still haven't found anything.

Pete Petersen has struggled to secure work for the last year.Pete PetersenPete Petersen, 58, has struggled to find work after being laid off from a corporate job.Petersen said his age and salary expectations may hurt his job search in the white-collar sector.Despite savings and severance, Petersen said he can't retire yet.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Pete Petersen, 58, who has been looking for work since February 2024 af…