When you’re searching for a new job, you would think that extensive experience would always be a plus – but, as many experienced job seekers can attest, sometimes employers are wary of hiring more experienced individuals. To be clear, age discrimination is illegal and we, in no way condone not hiring employees on the basis of their age or any other any discriminatory basis. But unfortunately, age discrimination is a reality with which more experienced job seekers need to be knowledgeable about – so they can effectively manage their job search and resume materials.
So what can you do to overcome age discrimination on your resume? Here are some tips to help you:
Focus on the past 10 to 15 years.
If you have a 40-year career, then your resume is going to be lengthy. Not only do hiring managers tend to focus on your most recent position(s), but it's unlikely that you're going to attain a role based experience from 25-40 years ago. Including your entire background will also tip-off hiring managers to your age. For those reasons, we recommend focusing on the most recent 10-15 years. Keep in mind that your resume is a marketing document, not an autobiography. You are not required to keep every role from earlier in your career on your resume.
Create a Gmail account.
If you have an AOL, Yahoo or Hotmail account, it can immediately age you. There is nothing inherently wrong with those email providers, but they're less common among younger workers. Instead, we recommend creating a Gmail account for your job search. When you do, make sure you don’t include your birth year, such as mikesmith1952@gmail.com. Stick to something simple and straightforward with your name in it. Beyond that, also avoid dated referenced to old technologies or buzzwords.
Skip graduation dates.
While it’s important to include dates in your employment history, you don’t need to include the year you earned your degree. If you do, hiring managers can quickly determine your age. Instead, leave that information off and simply include the name of the university you went to and the degree you earned, as well as any minors or special honors.
Get rid of the objective.
In the past, it was standard to include an objective on your resume. But today’s hiring managers know that you’re looking for a job, so it simply wastes space. Instead, to avoid age discrimination on your resume, use that area to list a summary of qualifications most pertinent to the position you’re applying for. Highlight key accomplishments, as well as tasks and responsibilities.
Create a LinkedIn profile.
In today’s world, hiring managers expect you to have a profile on social media – especially LinkedIn – that’s complete and compelling. If you don’t, make sure you create one now, before you begin your job search.
Are you looking for a new job and suspect you’re suffering from age discrimination on your resume? Let the team at ResumeSpice help. We can help you create a resume that gets noticed for all the right reasons and avoids the pitfalls of age discrimination on it. Get started or learn more today by calling 832.930.7378.
