Why my middle-aged friend, fluent in three languages with a master's degree abroad, can't find a job in Vietnam

She was born in 1980. At 45, she's not young anymore, and since quitting her previous job a year ago, she hasn't found a new one.

Her background is impressive. She earned a bachelor's degree in Vietnam, then a master's abroad. Fluent in Chinese and English, she worked at a foreign company for several years. Since she focused on education and career development, she never got married.

In 2022, she made a life-changing decision. She quit her overseas job and moved back to Hanoi to care for her aging parents, as her brother had settled abroad.

She quickly found a sales job at a foreign company's Hanoi branch, earning VND60 million (US$2,400) a month. Business was strong at first, but by early 2024, orders slowed. She also clashed with her boss over sales strategies. The conflict escalated, and she was let go.

A woman is feeling stressed in front of her computer. Illustration photo by Pexels

At first, she felt confident about job hunting. With a master's degree, fluency in two major languages, and years of experience at foreign companies, she expected to land a good position.

But she kept failing interviews. Employers claimed the roles had already been filled, yet she saw the same job postings reappear days later. Clearly, they were still hiring, just not her.

She struggled to understand why. After analyzing the situation, she identified one likely reason: her age.

Most employers preferred younger candidates, either because they seemed more energetic or were cheaper to hire. Some companies did offer her jobs, but at salaries under VND30 million (US$1,185), less than half of what she used to earn. She refused and remained unemployed.

For now, she relies on VND15 million ($592) a month in rental income from her apartment. To cut expenses, she moved in with her parents and occasionally takes freelance interpreting jobs. The uncertainty weighs on her. If she gets married and has kids without a stable income, how will she manage?

Determined to find a job in 2025, she's now willing to accept VND20-25 million ($790-988), just a third of her old salary. Her plan is to secure a lower-paying job, gain income stability, and then focus on marriage and family.

I told her that companies usually hire older employees only for senior or management roles. Otherwise, they prefer younger candidates, who require lower salaries and can be trained from scratch.

She's in a tough position, middle-aged, used to high-paying foreign jobs, and now facing a market where private firms cannot afford her previous salary.

I advised her to take a lower-paying role at a smaller company, prove her ability, and work toward a raise. Staying unemployed any longer would only make things harder.

Her struggle is not unique. I know others who quit their jobs at 35-40 and spent years searching for a new job. Some took two years and still could not find a suitable position.

Vietnam's job market is tough. I have followed hiring groups on Facebook for years, and even highly qualified candidates, master’s and PhD holders with over a decade of teaching experience, are still job-hunting.

Every year, thousands of graduates enter the workforce, but jobs remain scarce. Many end up working outside their fields. Middle-aged job seekers face even bigger challenges like health, stricter hiring standards, and their slower adaptability to new technologies and work environments.

Still, their experience, knowledge, and connections make them valuable. Employers should recognize that and create opportunities.

I encouraged my friend to explore new fields to stay financially stable. Hopefully, by 2025, more unemployed professionals will find jobs that match their skills.

*Dr. Vu Thi Minh Huyen works at the Vietnam Academy of Traditional Medicine and Pharmacy.