You might think experience would be an advantage when you're job searching, but that's not always the case.
The older you are, the longer it can take and the harder it can be to find a job. You can be considered "too old" in your forties and fifties, sometimes even younger depending on the company and the industry.
Despite the fact that employment discrimination is illegal, hiring managers sometimes perceive older workers as more expensive to hire, as overqualified, or as not being current with today's technology and workplaces and automatically knock them out of contention for a job.
In fact, one of the recurring themes in the age discrimination stories unemployed job seekers have shared with us, is that age definitely can be an issue when you're job searching. Comments include:
- I thought age discrimination laws would protect me.
- Being 62, I find that I am invisible in the work world.
- I have tried for over 200 jobs, but younger ones always get the job first.
- I have learned that age does matter in employment.
- My age seems to be my biggest enemy.
When you take a look at examples of employment discrimination and compare them with the discrimination stories job seekers have shared with us, you can see how pervasive discrimination can be.
What can job seekers do to combat age discrimination? There are ways that you can focus your job search, age proof your resume, and target your cover letters. These job search tips for older workers will help you maximize your chance of finding a new job.
Have you been discriminated against because of your age? If you have, we'd be interested in hearing your story. Here's how to share your age discrimination story or if you have been otherwise discriminated against, your employment discrimination story.
Read More: Job Search Tips for Older Workers | Resume Tips for Older Job Seekers | Cover Letter Tips for Older Job Seekers | Employment Discrimination
Image Copyright Erich Spieldiener