Age Discrimination In Interviews

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Recently, I was asked the following question:

Question

How do I deal with age discrimination in an interview?

My Answer

Stop giving them something to discriminate against.

In the video below, I hit head-on why age discrimination (against the young and the old) exist. More importantly, I tell you flat out why it’s up to YOU (not the employer) to change.

You see, hiring is discrimination. Companies have to screen someone “in” and the rest of the candidates “out” — and in today’s competitive job market, that’s like picking the perfect apple to eat from a supermarket display… not easy.

The Best Defense is a Good Offense

The best way to cope with age discrimination is to change your behavior to ensure you don’t meet the stereotypes the hiring managers are wrongly assuming about you in the interview.

You need to prove to them that what they think is wrong. And in doing so, you can show them why you are the right candidate for the job.

Practice, Practice, Practice (A.K.A Learn New Tricks!)

If you want to beat age discrimination in an interview, you definitely can’t “wing it” as so many people do. Instead, you need to prepare and go in ready to position yourself properly.

Those that don’t do proper interview prep as a way to convey their skills to hiring managers don’t prove they are worthy to join the employer’s tribe – and that costs you the job!

While I hate that age discrimination exists, I also know that we can’t sit back and let it beat us. We have to work to beat it!

Your Turn

How have you effectively beat age discrimination?

What tips can you share to cope in interviews?

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

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8 Comments

1. 

   Mary

   May 17, 2013 at 11:09 AM

   I think the age the discrimination is well and alive. I kind of fall into a different category where I am older but look quite young, so the interviewer often thinks that I do not experience and may possibly fall prey to young people’s stereotypes. Despite having my CV present, trying to dress really mature and reiterating my years of experience, what else can I do?

   Reply
2. 

   Caroline

   May 14, 2013 at 10:55 AM

   I concur with the tips everyone has given here, although I think talking in speech patterns used by a younger generation will just come off as desperate and silly. One thing I’ve also done is target companies with a healthy amount of people who are 40+, even 50+. Many places in my industry are youth-centric (with only a few C-suite folks being over 40) and quite frankly, those are not where I want to work and aren’t likely to hire me anyway. Stay away from those places, you’re just wasting your time unless you’re a C-suiter who would be a fit.

   Reply
   • 

     Judy

     May 16, 2013 at 1:58 PM

     Caroline,

     How do you find or where do you look for companies that have a good number of people over the age of 50 working for them?

     Thanks,
     Judy

     Reply
3. 

   Jane

   May 13, 2013 at 9:28 AM

   I am a seasoned sales professional who was laid off in a massive company reorganization. I have had my resume rewritten by a professional; I have whitened my teeth, I have a more contemporary hair cut, and I am getting interviews. I try to remember not to use phrases that sound outdated and to emphasize my social networking and technology skills. It will take longer, I’m sure for me to find that employer who recognizes the contributions that I can make to their organization. I just refuse to give up. I power walk 4 times a week; I am starting a food blog (new skill to add to my resume). As a sales professional, I know that this is simply a matter of applying for enough jobs and networking with enough people.

   Reply
4. 

   Kris Yoder

   May 12, 2013 at 10:26 AM

   As JT says you have to change the perception of who you are. I am in the seasoned group and what I have done is revised my resume to only include the past 15 years of my job experience since this pertains to the position I am looking for. I also removed the dates from the education portion. Appearance is very important. I updated my interview wardrobe to younger looking styles. I also did something I swore I’d never do…I colored my hair. I also had it cut in a younger looking style. I use teeth whitening products and moisturizers. I am lucky that I already look younger than I am but the extra boost doesn’t hurt. I am also very careful not to make references that will age me and I use phrases and speech patterns that someone younger may use. Yes, eventually your age is going to surface, but hopefully it will be after the employer is convinced that you are the right person for the job.

   Reply
5. 

   Kris Yoder

   May 12, 2013 at 10:09 AM

   I only include my job experience from the past 15 years since it is the experience that is most pertinent to the position I am seeking. I also removed the dates from my education. I look a lot younger than I am so this really helps and I updated my interviewing wardrobe to a more modern style. I am also very careful not to make references to things that could age me in interviews and I use phrases that younger people would use as long as they aren’t unprofessional. Also if you are grey, color your hair. Sure some people grey prematurely, but women especially are apt to color theirs anyway. Also wear it in a more modern cut. Be vain…use moisturizing products, whiten your teeth a little, etc. Yes, your age will come out eventually but hopefully it won’t be until after the employer has made the offer and is convinced that you are the person they want to hire.

   Reply
6. 

   NIck

   May 4, 2012 at 12:14 PM

   I had a very successful career as a IT government contractor and resigned my position to move to another state. My wife received an offer she “couldn’t refuse.” At the time, my age was 59 and ti was in 2009. I easily look in my early 50s, but I have grey hair. I must have sent out over 300 resumes, attended tons of networking functions and after three years I had one interview. I suspect it wasn’t an interview per se but an initial screening, which they could have done over the phone, by two 30 year olds. One of them said I was very qualified for the position. Before the interview, I looked around the office and almost everyone looked about 25-30. Anyway, I believe age discrimination is very alive in America.

   Reply
7. 

   Yvonne

   April 3, 2012 at 9:54 AM

   Age discrimination was one of several topics covered during a recent (March 25, 2012) HR panel discussion I hosted. I think the panel of five hiring professionals thoroughly covered the subject and I invite anyone who is interested in hearing what they said to visit us online at…

   http://dimans.org/pb/wp_edf75928/wp_edf75928.html

   Reply