Age Discrimination

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for a job and wonder how this plays into the grand scheme of things. Any stories to share?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, what I know about this isn't good. A few years ago a grad student doing research on this sent out identical resumes to hundreds of employers, changing only the so-called applicant's age. The results were pretty bad, the older fake applicants got many fewer callbacks. Barbara Ehrenreich also has a book about trying to find a job as an older worker, although I haven't read it so I can't report on it.

On the bright side, older workers have a reputation for being really dependable and loyal to companies, so you could play this up. Also, make sure you're up to date on whatever software you'd need, or certificates or other credentials.

[Anonymous]

An older worker needs to look good with current clothes and be able to do all of the tech things younger workers can do to even be considered. It's not pretty out there for older applicants during this tough economy

[Anonymous]

OP - as one of the younger workers (26), I can't stress how important is to stay on top of the technology. I am a nurse and as we switch over to more advanced electronic medical records, some of the nurses in their 50s are REALLY struggling to understand it/adapt quickly. I would imagine that if they were laid off and had to find new jobs, it would be extremely difficult because of their tech skills. I am not trying to sound discouraging or mean, I just think that staying on top of the recent tech trends for your job will really benefit you when competing against those who are younger. I def. think there are a lot of benefits to being "older and wiser" in the field, and I look up to many of the nurses who have been there for years because of their knowledge.

[Anonymous]

I try not to list dates that go too far back, but when you have a name like Donna or Nancy it's going to be clear you weren't born in 1980.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the field that you are trying to get into.

[Anonymous]

The most expensive part of having an employee is when they're training. So make sure you are as up to date as possible on all the computer programs used in your job. Make sure that you are comfortable with basic things like scanning a document & emailing it, manipulating PDF's, etc.

Also, don't bring up how you're old all the time. I work in an office and we have one employee who's 60. She's forever asking people to carry files for her because her "old bones just can't lift them". She's always asking someone to photocopy for her because otherwise she'd have to go back to her desk for her glasses to see what the screen on the copier says.