Podcast Summary: “Not Getting a Job? Ask Yourself These Five Questions.”

Podcast: Becoming You with Suzy Welch
Host: Suzy Welch, NYU Stern Professor
Date: November 11, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode addresses the challenge of ageism in the workplace—particularly for jobseekers over 50—and how its lessons apply to anyone seeking to live a purposeful, growth-oriented life. Suzy Welch outlines five essential, sometimes uncomfortable questions to help listeners upend the assumptions hiring managers may hold against them, so they can break through bias and position themselves for career success at any age.

Episode Overview

• Opening ([00:09]):
  Suzy humorously introduces Pierre the dachshund as her distracting studio partner, then pivots to a serious and pervasive issue: ageism in the workplace. She frames the episode as an exploration of how to combat this bias with strategies relevant to all ages, emphasizing:

  “Growth is the elixir of the gods. It's such a good thing to be growing.” — Suzy Welch [01:12]

The Reality of Ageism

• Listener Story ([02:15]):
  Michelle Fleming, a listener, shares her demoralizing journey:

  “I didn't dream it would take me this long to land a new role. 1,100 applications and many interviews later...I now believe ageism is real.” — Michelle Fleming [02:26]

• Key Data Points ([03:26]):

  • 97 million people in the U.S. are between 50 and 70—a massive demographic.
  • Companies claim worker shortages (92 applicants per 100 jobs nationally), yet overlook older applicants.
  • Main deduction: Systemic assumptions are excluding older jobseekers, not a true talent gap.

• Suzy's Take:

  “Hating on this dynamic...is not going to change anything...You really have two choices: become an entrepreneur...or you write the narrative of yourself—tell a different story going into these interviews.” — Suzy Welch [05:45]

Five Big Questions for Any Jobseeker

Suzy introduces “arresting” questions designed to help listeners disrupt bias and present themselves as invaluable candidates, regardless of age.

1. Do You Have Friends Who Aren't Your Age? ([08:30])

• Especially vital for those 50–70, but applies to all ages.
• Rationale: Employers assess “cultural fit”—that is, the ease with which you relate to younger colleagues.
• Action: Build “irregular relationships” (with people outside your natural age group), especially those who resemble your future coworkers.
• Notable Quote:

  “Employers are looking for skills plus cultural fit...If you don't have friends outside of your comfort zone—and if you don't, they're picking up on it.” — Suzy Welch [10:00]

• Warning: Having grandchildren doesn't count; you need peer-level relationships.

2. How Current Are You? ([15:06])

• “Your currency is your currency.”
• Being future-focused and ahead of trends (industry, technology, AI) is seen as a sign of professional vitality.
• Action: Demonstrate up-to-date knowledge in your field—“So future focused in how you talk about yourself and what you see coming” [16:44].
• Notable Quote:

  “If they ask you, ‘Tell me about yourself,’ ...the first thing out of your mouth should be something like, ‘Well, I'm a student of our industry and one thing I know that's coming in the future is X—and here's how I fit into it.’” — Suzy Welch [17:00]

3. How Much Stamina Do You Have? ([18:25])

• Address an unspoken but powerful bias: the assumption that older workers lack energy.
• Listener Voice:

  “I suppose 62, 63 next week is definitely not considered young anymore. Yet I feel I still have so much to offer...even if it's just at 60% of earlier.” — Karen from South Africa [19:15]

• Action: Visibly and verbally demonstrate stamina—share energetic stories, exude vitality, show willingness to deploy full effort.
• Notable Quote:

  “What you have to figure out is, how much stamina do you have, and are you willing to fully deploy it so you can overcome the assumptions?” — Suzy Welch [21:14]

4. Have You Articulated What You Can Do That Younger People Can’t? ([23:05])

• Reframe your experience as unique advantages:
  • Pattern recognition (“gut decision making”)
  • Crisis navigation (multiple crises survived—each one builds readiness)
  • Comfort with postponing joy (“work centrism” and “achievement” as core values)
• Action: Don’t just claim to match young candidates—highlight where you exceed them.
• Notable Quote:

  “Older people are much more inclined and have much higher level of comfort with postponing joy...This is like liquid gold to employers—if you know how to say it.” — Suzy Welch [26:28]

5. Do You Have a Clear Narrative of Your Values and Aptitudes? ([30:05])

• Do self-reflection before job-seeking: What are your values, aptitudes, and economically viable interests?
• Listener Quote:

  “I think people in their 40s and 50s aren't landing jobs because they don't quite know what they want anymore.” — Email from newsletter reader [30:42]

• Action: Define your core narrative—don’t just seek the next job, seek the right job.
• Notable Quote:

  “You have to get existential before you get tactical...You waste time if you don’t get existential.” — Suzy Welch [32:38]

Key Insights & Tone

• Ageism is real but surmountable; solutions stem from self-awareness, reframing, and clear communication—not simply “waiting for the world to change.”
• The universal applicability of these five questions: Anyone can (and should) use them to increase joy, growth, and job satisfaction.
• Tough love delivered with genuine empathy and encouragement; Suzy doesn’t sugarcoat reality, but offers hope and practical strategies.
• Memorable Closing Quote:

  “We grow not older with the years, but newer every day.” — Emily Dickinson, shared by Suzy Welch [34:05]

• Suzy’s Final Word:

  “You have to show the world that you’re growing newer. If you’re not showing the world you’re growing newer, they’re going to put you in that bucket of ‘too old.’ Only you can redefine that. And you can redefine that at any age.” [34:25]

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• [00:09] – Humorous intro with Pierre the dachshund; setting up ageism as a universal topic
• [02:15] – Michelle Fleming’s ageism job search story
• [03:26] – Key U.S. workplace statistics (worker shortage vs. 50+ ignored)
• [08:30] – First essential question: breaking out of age bubble
• [15:06] – “Your currency is your currency”—staying current is essential
• [18:25] – Stamina tested indirectly in every interview; Karen from South Africa's letter
• [23:05] – Suzy outlines unique “over 50” strengths (pattern recognition, crisis navigation, postponing joy)
• [30:05] – Reader email: mid-life jobseekers may not know what they want; existential reflection urged
• [34:05] – Emily Dickinson quote and Suzy’s encouragement to “grow newer every day”

Takeaways for Listeners

• Ageism can’t be solved by anger or waiting for others to change—you must change the narrative about yourself.
• Develop relationships across age groups and industries.
• Demonstrate you are current, energetic, and future-focused (in attitude and knowledge).
• Articulate and leverage unique “over-50” strengths—pattern recognition, crisis management, and work centrism.
• Define and communicate your authentic, purpose-aligned narrative—be “existential before tactical.”
• These tactics work for any age: Growth and purpose are always relevant.

Want to be part of the conversation?
Suzy encourages listener feedback and stories: hello@suziewelch.com.
Follow Suzy Welch: Instagram, LinkedIn, and (reluctantly) TikTok.
Sign-off: With warmth, honesty, and encouragement to “keep becoming you.”