Age discrimination is when a job seeker or an employee is treated unfavorably because of his age. Read the following advice to help you mitigate discrimination issues, and make yourself aware of the laws that prohibit employment discrimination.
CV tips
- On your resume it is advisable to limit your experience to 15 years for a managerial job, 10 years for a technical job, and 5 years for a high-tech job
- If you have other relevant work experience list it without dates in an Other Experience category
- Consider using a functional resume rather than a chronological resume
Interview tips
- Project yourself as cheerful and flexible and back that up with proof of your skills and success
- Review the benefits of older workers - commitment to a career, hands-on experience, a track record of success, stable, realistic expectations - and think about how they apply to you
- Use storytelling techniques to back up your claims of these skills
Age and Salary Issues
- Let potential employers know that you are flexible. Even though you may have earned six figures in the past, perhaps you no longer need to or you would be willing to accept a lower salary to get your foot in the door.
- If that's the case, mention in your cover letters, when salary requirements are asked for, that yours are flexible or negotiable, based upon the position and the entire compensation package, including benefits.
Age Discrimination Law
Finally, if you believe you have been discriminated against because of your age, there are the protections provide by age discrimination law. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment. The law is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).