Resume Tips to Avoid Age Discrimination During the Hiring Process

Age discrimination is something that you will eventually have to deal with in the job market, especially if you are an older candidate or a younger job seeker. Although it is not encouraged, many employers and hiring managers tend to make assumptions about job seekers based on their age. However, there are a few things that you can do with your resume to avoid age discrimination when applying for a job.

1. Use the right lingo

The way you phrase your qualifications on your resume has the potential to make you look older. One of the biggest resume mistakes we see job seekers make is using outdated terminology to describe their skills and achievements. Always use modern terms when talking about your skills on your resume.

2. Highlight continuous learning

Are you applying for a job in a field that is constantly changing with the evolving technology? Then, continuous learning is something that you must highlight on your resume to avoid age discrimination. When you show potential employers that you are up to date with the latest tech and knowledge in the field, they are less likely to be prejudiced against you as an older job seeker.

3. Pay attention to the tech skills

One of the biggest misconceptions that hiring managers have is that older professionals are not tech-savvy. If your resume does not do justice to your technology skills, you may find yourself getting discriminated against as an older candidate. Ensure that your resume prominently displays your tech skills such as software proficiency, experience with modern tools, etc.

4. Review your contact information

Gone are the days of including your full physical address on your resume since employers no longer contact you via snail mail. When writing a new resume, ensure that you only include your city and state on the document. You should also remove your outdated email address and use a modern, professional email address for your new resume.

5. Omit the graduation dates

If you have been in the industry for longer than five years, there is no need to mention your graduation dates on your resume. This is valid for both your higher education and high school diploma. If you have a higher qualification, you should skip mentioning high school details on your resume.

6. Get a professional resume review

Are you not sure whether your resume will get you subjected to age discrimination? Then, the best thing you can do is get the help of a professional. Submit your resume for a professional resume review and get an objective perspective from a resume writer. They will help you identify and remove any elements on your resume that may cause age discrimination.

7. Avoid overloading work experience

There is no rule stating that you must include every single job that you have had when creating your resume. If you are a job seeker with over 20 years of experience, including all of your past jobs in the resume in great detail is sure to get you rejected. Instead, focus on a window of the most recent 10-15 years when adding experience to your resume.