There are many things that can make looking for a job even harder. Age discrimination in the hiring process is one of those, but the good news is that it’s a bit easier to combat than some of the others.
Let’s start with why it happens. As is usually the case with biases, I think this is largely something employers aren’t doing consciously. I suspect that they are not even aware that they’re reading older workers as less energetic, more resistant to change, less tech-savvy, overqualified, and all the rest of it. But that’s all still there, living in their heads.
If you think that’s the case with you, there are some action steps you can take to protect yourself.
First, address the nitty-gritty: what details are in your application that might be making you look old? Is your resume format current? (Hint: having “references available upon request” = UR old.) Other tells include things like an outdated email address (looking at you, AOL), an objective statement, a full physical address, no LinkedIn profile URL. Also, how far back does your work experience go? How long ago are your education graduation dates?
These are all pretty easy to fix. Standard practice with a resume is to go back 10-15 years in your work history. Anything before that can either fall off or, if it’s relevant, go into the document without dates or with “5+ years” under a heading like “Other relevant experience.” Your grad dates can come off—and you can do this for your LinkedIn profile, too. (It’s up to you if you choose to remove any details about work prior to 15 years ago, and will depend on your field and your own preferences.) Update that email! Add LinkedIn. Lead with a summary or highlights section.
Second, let’s talk about that cover letter. Are you being very formal with it? “To whom it may concern,” maybe? Let’s update that to something more like, “Dear hiring manager.” Also avoid stilted language in the body of the document. Not only will that make you read as older, it might also cause the reader to suspect you’re an AI bot instead of a person, which won’t do you any favors.
Third, work to build up your enthusiasm when you land interviews. We absolutely don’t want them to see you as low-energy or not interested, so give yourself a pep talk, smile, and let them know you’re excited. If you aren’t a particularly demonstrative person, you can let them know that, as well: “I hope I don’t seem low-key to you, but I’m actually very excited about this job because of [specific thing you can point to here, ideally highlighting your fit for the role].”
As a side note, if you have been out of the paid workforce for more than a year, look into returnship programs like Path Forward or Women Back to Work. Many companies also offer their on returnships, so do a Google search if there’s something you especially want. If you aren’t familiar with them, returnships are essentially internships for grownups, and can be a great way into a field after something like caretaking or an illness.
Finally, consider specific resources in your search. Sites like Age Friendly provides job listing that are welcoming for older workers, and AARP’s job board offers an EPP (Employer Pledge Program) badge for companies that “(affirm) the value of experienced workers and are committed to developing diverse organizations.” The remote job site FlexJobs also offers free advice and resources about combatting ageism, along with frequent free webinars on a variety of topics.
