On your resume, highlight your skills, not your age

 

There are a few key reasons why older workers are advised to highlight their skills rather than their age on a resume:

Age Discrimination 

Unfortunately, age discrimination can be an issue for older workers seeking jobs. By focusing the resume on relevant skills and recent experience rather than providing many dates that reveal their age, it helps avoid triggering any potential age biases from employers.

Focus on Qualifications 

The most important factors for getting hired should be the applicant's qualifications, expertise, and ability to perform the job duties well. Highlighting skills, accomplishments, and recent relevant experience draws the emphasis to what really matters for the role.

Stay Contemporary 

Providing a lot of older graduation dates or job tenures from decades ago can make a resume look outdated. Emphasizing up-to-date skills and experiences helps position the applicant as having modern, relevant qualifications.

Longevity Concerns 

Some employers may worry that an older worker close to traditional retirement age may not remain in the job very long. A skills-based resume suggests longevity is not an issue.

----------------------

By crafting a resume focused on pertinent skills, expertise and recent achievements rather than age, older workers can put their best qualifications forward and avoid age potentially becoming an inadvertent detractor.