Avoid Age Questions With A Professional Resume

Age discrimination is illegal. Period. However, unfortunately, it still happens, and unless it is blatant and you have solid proof that it happened to you, chances are there is little you can do about it.

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, though, so focus on creating a professional resume that emphasizes your skills and attributes without drawing extra attention to your age.

Here are some suggestions for how to do this effectively:

Relevant work history - You do not need to supply a complete work history going back twenty or thirty years if it is not relevant to the position you seek. Most employers are most interested in what you have done over the last five to ten years so draw primarily on that experience whenever possible.

Stay current - It is often a good idea to highlight proficiency in various software and technology applications (if they are relevant to the position), so stay current on what is commonly used in your field today. There's no need to highlight proficiency in an older program if it is no longer in use, and doing so will only draw attention to your age.

Dates and education - Some experts suggest that you do not include specific dates of graduation because that will immediately give away your age. The exception would be if you received a degree or significant training within the last five to ten years; in this case it usually works to your benefit to show the graduation date.

Use a combination format - The best resume format for someone who is concerned about age issues is definitely the combination resume. This allows you to emphasize your specific achievements and accomplishments without having to attach specific dates to the information.

Continuing education - Emphasize any continuing education or training you have completed. This shows that you keep your skills up to date and have a willingness to learn new things.

Age discrimination does not just happen to older workers; it can just as easily happen to younger workers as well. Regardless of whether you are new to the workforce or are a mature, experienced worker, it can be in your best interest to create a resume that is as age neutral as possible.

You should never lie or intentionally mislead a potential employer about your age, but if some aspect of your experience is not relevant to the job you are seeking then you do not need to include it in your resume. Think carefully about what works to your advantage and what doesn't, then create your resume in the manner that best highlights your qualifications.

 

 

 

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