Business Insider · 24 Oct, 09:22 · Business briefing

I held senior roles at Bank of America and EY. At 56, I can't find a job, and it led to a bit of a midlife crisis.

A former senior executive at Bank of America and EY reveals his struggle to secure employment at age fifty-six.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A former senior executive at Bank of America and EY reveals his struggle to secure employment at age fifty-six. Despite holding prestigious roles in banking and professional services, he reports facing significant barriers in the current job market. This experience has triggered a profound midlife crisis, highlighting the harsh realities of ageism in corporate recruitment. The story serves as a cautionary tale for professionals assuming that past seniority guarantees future employability. It underscores the vulnerability of even highly experienced individuals when navigating a shifting landscape that often favours younger candidates or specific technical skill sets over traditional career longevity.

Employer demand for AI Strategy skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This narrative signals a critical shift in career security. You must assume that your past titles no longer guarantee future stability. Traditional experience is now insufficient; you need demonstrable, current technical proficiency. Focus on upskilling in high-demand areas like data analytics or strategic AI integration, where age is less of a barrier than adaptability. Network aggressively outside your immediate industry to bypass automated screening tools that may filter older candidates. Diversify your income streams and consider consultancy roles to maintain relevance. Do not wait for a crisis to act. Proactively audit your skills gap today. Position yourself as a versatile problem-solver who bridges legacy knowledge with modern digital tools. Your value lies in combining experience with fresh, applicable competencies.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI Strategy, Data Science, Leadership and Interviewing Techniques — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.