A few years ago, I applied for a software testing role at a well-known MNC. Everything was going smoothly until the recruiter asked me something that threw me off completely:
"How would you feel if your colleagues who are much younger; were giving you instructions or critical feedback?"
I went blank.
Not because I didn't have an answer, but because I had never been asked something like that. It wasn't a question about my skill set or my experience in software testing - it was about my age.
That moment stayed with me. It made me realize how subtle, yet deeply ingrained, ageism can be. Especially for women trying to return to the workforce after a break.
Career breaks happen for many reasons: raising children, caregiving, health, burnout. And when women decide to return, they often do so with renewed clarity, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to learn.
But the job market doesn't always welcome them with open arms.
Hiring managers worry:
– Will she keep up with younger team members?
– Is she tech-savvy enough?
– Will she fit into a fast-paced culture?
– Will she be okay reporting to someone younger?
These questions are not always asked out loud, but they're felt in the silence, in the rejections, and in the vague feedback.
Here’s what I’ve seen make a difference:
Yes, it's important. The world has changed. You don't need to learn everything, but you do need to show that you're not stuck in 2010.
Take short courses in Excel, Canva, digital marketing, and AI basics
Mention what you're learning in your résumé and interviews
Sign up for MARS Certification if you’re exploring remote jobs, it's designed for women returning to work
That break in your résumé? It’s not a weakness, it's life.
Talk about what you learned during that time: multitasking, emotional regulation, time management, problem-solving.
Because honestly, if you've managed a family during a pandemic or navigated caregiving for aging parents; you’ve built muscles that many fresh grads haven't.
There"s power in being surrounded by others who "get it."
Join the SHEROES community. It's free, it's safe, and it's full of women like you who are navigating career pivots, skill upgrades, and comebacks.
MARSbySHEROES, has created a workplace that reflects what the world should look like; women of different age groups, life stages, and skills working side by side. Whether you’re a new mom, a 50-year-old career returnee, or someone seeking purpose after a health crisis - you belong here.
I want to tell you about Savitha Murlidhara, she began her career in her 40s, after raising her children and running her household for years. When she decided it was her time, she started small with short-term remote content writing gigs and then moved on to become a customer support executive through MARS Certified Remote Professional program.
Today, she's a Supervisor at MARS: earning, learning, and thriving as part of a team that values her presence. Her story is proof that age doesn't limit potential. Sometimes, it enhances it.
Another day, I was chatting with Vedika Mehra, who leads Operations and HR at MARS. She told me about a woman in her late 40s, a cancer survivor, who joined MARS as a Partner.
"She's one of the most dedicated team members we have," Vedika said. "She shows up with gratitude and purpose every single day."
These are not just success stories. They are reminders that when workplaces are inclusive, women flourish, no matter their age, background, or past circumstances.
The truth is: you're not starting from scratch. You're starting from experience.
Your calm under pressure, your ability to read between the lines, your instinct for collaboration - these are not things that show up on résumés, but they're what every good team needs.
And yes, it can be frustrating to be judged for your age before you even speak. But here's what I want you to remember: You're not the problem. The bias is.
And the more of us who keep showing up, applying, learning, and proving the system wrong, the better it gets for all of us.
If you are a woman in your 40s or 50s thinking, "Is it too late for me to start again?" the answer is a loud and clear NO.
The job market is slowly evolving. Flexible shifts, project-based work, remote customer service jobs, upskilling platforms, they're creating new doors. You just need to knock.
Start with a small step:
✅ Brush up your skills or learn new
✅ Join a career community like SHEROES
✅ Explore remote jobs with MARS and get certified
And most importantly, don't apologize for your age. Own it.
Because you've earned every bit of wisdom, and the right to restart, rise, and thrive.