Dealing with ageism is hard. The truth is that it remains one of the last conventionally acceptable (if not legal) isms at work. I’m sure you don’t need evidence to believe us that ageism is a thing, but what If I told you ageism is starting to have “a moment”? Check out this great article that appeared in Wired regarding ageism in Tech or Maureen Clough’s Podacast It Gets Late Early to get a sense.
While textbook advice tells you age discrimination is illegal, with age being a protected category, etc., in reality tackling those biases head-on is an uphill battle and we don’t recommend it in most circumstances. Instead of rattling off boilerplate platitudes about your rights as a job seeker, here are practical steps to improve your chances and your state of mind. (*This is our opinion, but we are not lawyers, and this isn’t legal advice)
Highlight Your Value
Don’t dwell on your age. Instead, focus on your valuable skills, experience, and quantifiable accomplishments. Be prepared with specific examples that demonstrate your ability to get results. For instance, “In my previous role, I led a team that improved efficiency by 25% through process improvements I implemented.”
Up-to-date tech skills are a must
Make updating your expertise a priority, but don’t emphasize that you’re playing catch-up by leading with what you’re learning. Lead with your strengths. For example, “While I continued building my Adobe Creative Cloud skills, my portfolio highlights my award-winning design work.”
Build Your Brand and Own Your Story
Do the work to position yourself as a modern, knowledgeable professional through your online presence. An updated LinkedIn profile with a fresh headshot and compelling narrative shows that you’ve shown up to compete and are engaged with how job hunting works today. Share insights and engage your network on relevant social platforms. A respected digital brand signals you’re with the times. Example: Share an article you wrote on industry trends, commenting on the implications.
Optimize your resume and understand coded language
Age-proof resumes by highlighting the last 10-15 years of most relevant experience. Review job posts carefully – coded language like “digital native” could indicate age bias to avoid. If a post says “recent graduates encouraged to apply,” recognize that as a potential red flag.
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Be Prepared Intellectually and Emotionally Prepared Interviews
Be ready to emphasize your energy, enthusiasm, and cultural fit. Share examples of adapting to new technologies quickly. For instance, “In just a month, I became certified in, and rapidly adopted software X that allowed me to Y.” Provide only the required personal information. If you sense any potential ageist biases based on inappropriate questions or comments, it’s best to remain composed and professional and politely re-direct the conversation back to your qualifications.
For example, if asked about your long-term career plans in a way that seems to hint at your age and retirement, you could respond, “I’m focused on finding a role where I can leverage my decades of experience to drive results for the company. My energy and engagement remain as high as ever.” Although dealing with ageism is frustrating, the key is to avoid getting defensive or accusing, as that could damage the relationship. If the interviewer persists with concerning comments, you can conclude by saying: “I appreciate your time, but I don’t think this role is the right mutual fit based on our discussion today.” Then, calmly end the interview.
About Your Rights
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits bias against workers 40+. Document any potential incidents, but pursuing legal action can be very difficult. The reality is that overtly battling ageism is rarely productive. The best approach is to maintain professionalism and positivity and focus on showcasing your qualifications.
