Job Search Struggles in Midlife, Why You Should Take Fractional Roles, and Corporate Survival

If you’ve ever been blindsided by a layoff, wrestled with feeling “too old” for the job search, or wondered if your career peak is behind you, this episode is for you.

In this deeply honest and refreshingly human episode, I speak with Nick Passarelli, a fintech exec and former HR leader whose early career taught him the hard truth: corporate loyalty doesn’t always pay off.

From leading mass layoffs at just 24 years old to witnessing longtime employees get pushed out with nowhere to go, Nick saw firsthand how brutal and impersonal the system can be. Those early experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to advocating against ageism and helping older professionals navigate a work world that’s not exactly rooting for them.

We talk layoffs, job searches after 50, ageism’s impact on women, and why “Jenga families” are more common than you think. Nick brings honesty, humility, and plenty of practical advice (and memes–yes, really) to a conversation every mid-career professional needs to hear.

Nick's story is a powerful reminder that reinvention is possible and that empathy, preparation, and a little humor can go a long way.

“Never add your work friends onto your socials because they could totally use that against you. I learned this through a friend at my old company, and I thought it was brilliant.”
~ Nick Passarelli

In This Episode:
00:00 Introduction
02:03 Nick’s diverse career path, from HR to fintech
03:19 Mass layoffs during Y2K and the emotional toll
04:31 First encounter with ageism, layoffs for long-tenured workers
07:50 Transitioning from HR to compliance, adapting career focus
09:12 What it's like for a young recruiter to interview older candidates
14:00 Maximizing “prime earning years” (35-55) and balancing expenses
16:10 “Jenga families” and the risks of not planning for job transitions
19:32 The personal impact of job loss in your 50s
24:00 How women can set themselves up for success
28:20 Networking, upskilling, and staying positive in a job search
35:04 Keeping the fun and laughter despite your corporate situation

Resources:
Ross Pomerantz, aka Corporate Bro:   / corporate.bro  
Corporate Natalie:   / corporatenatalie  
Ben Sweeny:   / corporate.sween  
Jamie Jackson:   / humorous_resources  
LinkedIn Learning (Free and paid courses to enhance skills):   / learning  
SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Certifications: https://www.shrm.org/mena/credentials...

Connect with Nick Passarelli:
LinkedIn:   / nick-passarelli-9777454  

Connect with Maureen Wiley Clough:
LinkedIn:   / maureenwclough  
Website: https://www.itgetslateearly.com/
Instagram:   / itgetslateearly  
Facebook:   / 100088694515585  

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YouTube:    / @itgetslateearly  

#ageismintheworkplace #careerreinvention #networkingtips