Age discrimination is illegal, but there is a still an age bias by employers.  Many employers will often vote for youth over maturity, with some employers believing that older workers are less productive, and are rigid and inflexible.

If you are over 50, you already know better and this has been confirmed by research, which strongly indicates that older workers have lower turnover and absenteeism compared to their younger counterparts and can master new technologies as quickly as younger employees, as well as being just as flexible within the workplace.

However biases still remain retrenched within many sectors.  So what do you do, to overcome age discrimination?

Well, you can’t change the numbers on your birth certificate, but you can present a younger attitude, so you don’t come across as a ‘stick in the mud’.

Remain technologically sassy

You might have left school 30 years ago, when there was no such thing as computers, but just because this was the case, does not mean you can ignore new technology.  So, no matter what your profession, keep up to date with new technological advances.

Also keep in mind that this is the computer age, computers really do improve productivity no matter what your profession (even if you only end up using your computer to email friends or buy goods online).

If you are not computer literate, then either teach yourself, or attend relevant courses or night school, so you don’t get left behind.

Don’t dress like granny (even if you are granny)

The moment you walk into the interview room, the interviewer is already sizing you up.  No matter how sharp your verbal presentation or impressive your portfolio, if your clothes are outdated and old fashioned, you have probably already been eliminated from the short-list.

It sounds unfair, but unfortunately, until as a society we stop judging by appearances, you will need to dress accordingly. 

So revamp your wardrobe so you are dressed in a conservative, but modern and contemporary way.

Cut out dated phrases

Without even realising it, you give away your age, by talking like an oldie.  By making these remarks, you simply age yourself and sound pessimistic.  So remove these phases:

Years ago
When I was starting out
When I was your age
When you get to be my age
When I was younger
Back when
In the good old days *

Source:  Resumes for the Over-50 Job Hunter – Samuel N. Ray

Keep fit and healthy

You might have a less-than-perfect physique, but if you remain fit and healthy, (or rather avoid being grossly out of shape and unfit), then you will avoid the strong prejudice that you are too old to do the job.

It is really important to stay fit and healthy, so you project a younger image and attitude.

Relevant articles and resources

• Overcoming age discrimination during your job search
• What professional help should you get during your job search?
• Job search success - why you need to understand WIFM
• Are you sabotaging your job-search or career, without even realising it?
• Gaining confidence as a return to work mum or dad
• The five worst ways to look for a job
• Not getting to interview? Here's why
• Brag your way to career success
• What employers are looking for
• Is it rejection, or an opportunity to learn?
• Preparing for employer scrutiny of your job application
• What you need to know about working with recruiters
• How to build a professional network to support your job search
• Why you need a can-do attitude when job hunting
• Internet and job search strategies. Are you being left behind?