News & Trending Jobs & Career News

10 Reasons Gen Xers Are Struggling to Get a Job (And Honestly, It Makes Sense)

When it comes to the labor force, Gen X may be the new "lost generation."

By Stacy Garrels

Edited by Andrea Basse

Updated Dec. 7, 2025

Gen Xers should be in the prime of their earning years. They're experienced, capable, and highly motivated.

But instead of making bank, many find themselves edged out of the labor market: underemployed, underpaid, or stuck in years-long job searches. The hiring landscape has shifted so dramatically that even seasoned Gen Xers with polished resumes are struggling, making it even harder to stop living paycheck to paycheck and build real financial momentum.

Here are some of the biggest reasons why Gen Xers are struggling in the job market today.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.¹ <p>Clients who complete the program and settle all debts typically save around 45% before fees or 20% including fees over 24–48 months, based on enrolled debts. “Debt-free” applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Average program completion time is 24–48 months; not all debts are eligible, and results vary as not all clients complete the program due to factors like insufficient savings. We do not guarantee specific debt reductions or timelines, nor do we assume debt, make payments to creditors, or offer legal, tax, bankruptcy, or credit repair services. Consult a tax professional or attorney as needed. Services are not available in all states. Participation may adversely affect your credit rating or score. Nonpayment of debt may result in increased finance and other charges, collection efforts, or litigation. Read all program materials before enrolling. National Debt Relief’s fees are based on a percentage of enrolled debt. All communications may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance. In certain states, additional disclosures and licensing apply. ©️ 2009–2025 National Debt Relief LLC. National Debt Relief (NMLS #1250950, CA CFL Lic. No. 60DBO-70443) is located at 180 Maiden Lane, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10038. All rights reserved. <b><a href="https://www.nationaldebtrelief.com/licenses/">Click here</a></b> for additional state-specific disclosures and licensing information.</p>

Age bias is still alive and well

Let's be frank: our society is ageist, and employers are, too. They're not supposed to be, but we're a culture that worships youth: coloring grays, whitening teeth, and $200 miracle face creams. Even the 20-something crowd is shelling out for "baby Botox."

On the work front, many assume Gen X candidates are less adaptable, less tech-savvy, or at the wind-down stage of their careers — even if none of that is true.

These assumptions lead to fewer interviews, slower callbacks, and being passed over for roles they're fully qualified for. The bias may be unspoken, but it compounds quickly in a tight job market.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

Hiring managers assume Gen X is "too expensive"

Many employers worry that Gen X applicants expect higher salaries based on decades of experience.

In reality, many Gen Xers would accept competitive or even reduced pay, but they're screened out before they can explain their salary expectations.

This perceived cost risk pushes companies toward cheaper, less experienced talent, forcing Gen X job seekers into a smaller pool of opportunities from the outset.

There aren't enough senior roles to go around

Older millennials and even boomers are staying in the workforce longer, creating a bottleneck at the top.

As more workers compete for the same, limited director-level or senior management roles, Gen X candidates are getting squeezed out. Many are overqualified for mid-level positions yet blocked from senior ones, leaving them with few realistic options.

Long-term unemployment hits Gen X harder

When Gen Xers lose a job, they tend to stay unemployed longer than younger workers. The combination of age bias, increased competition, and rapidly changing skill requirements stretches job searches into months — often years.

This lag can damage confidence, widen skills gaps, and create a cycle that makes re-entry even more difficult.

Rapid technology shifts made their expertise seem outdated

Gen X built careers on skills that were essential in the pre-digital workforce. But as industries automated processes or prioritized digital-first operations, many midcareer workers found their hard-earned expertise abruptly devalued.

Even Gen Xers who've kept up with — or even built — the latest tech may be assumed unfamiliar with today's tools, therefore less innovative and adaptable.

AI and automation are eliminating mid-career jobs

AI and automation aren't just affecting entry-level roles — they're reshaping entire fields. Creative, administrative, and technical jobs that Gen X workers once dominated are being heavily reduced.

This shift shrinks the number of roles where Gen X candidates are highly competitive.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

Gen X is often labeled as "overqualified"

Being told you're overqualified may sound flattering, but it's coded language for "hard pass."

Employers tend to assume Gen X applicants will get bored, expect rapid promotions, or leave once a better offer appears. This makes hiring managers hesitant to take a chance on experienced candidates, even when those candidates would be reliable long-term employees.

Younger workers are increasingly promoted over them

Gen Xers frequently report being passed over for leadership roles in favor of younger colleagues.

Whether driven by company culture, cost savings, or assumptions about career longevity, these decisions limit advancement and reduce the number of openings available to midcareer workers.

When promotions don't open up, the entire career ladder becomes harder for Gen X to climb.

Creative and media fields have collapsed beneath them

Workers in journalism, design, photography, print advertising, videography, and entertainment — industries where many Gen Xers built careers — have seen massive downsizing.

Jobs that once supported full-time careers now rely on outsourced labor, cheap digital content, or AI-generated work. With fewer stable roles, even highly talented professionals struggle to re-enter fields that no longer resemble the ones they entered decades ago.

Earn as much as $1K doing simple online tasks

A company called Freecash has compiled all sorts of quick cash tasks from about a dozen advertisers and market research companies thirsty for more data. Freecash has paid out over $13 million to users since 2019, and has over 50,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot.

Midlife responsibilities make career pivots harder

Gen X faces more financial pressure than any other generation: mortgages, college costs, elder care, rising expenses, and underfunded retirement savings.

Reinventing a career at age 50 is far more complicated than it is at 25. Most need stable benefits, predictable income, and roles that support family obligations while also competing in a job market that rewards youth and constant upskilling.

Bottom line

Gen X isn't struggling because they lack talent, work ethic, or modern work skills. They're struggling because the workforce morphed faster than their career ladders did. Add in age bias, shrinking industries, and the rise of AI, GenX has barriers that younger generations don't face — challenges that can make it harder to maintain stability and lower your financial stress.

The tides, however, could be turning. Our workforce is aging fast, and employees aged 55 and up will make up 25% of the global workforce by 2031.

Now is the time for employers to invest in a strong, multigenerational workforce that values experience, collaboration, and "wisdom" skills — like judgment, pattern recognition, and emotional intelligence. Those who do will be best-positioned to weather the generational shift and reap the rewards it brings.

More from FinanceBuzz: