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If you are older and you are applying for a job you may feel that you could become a victim of age discrimination. It's hard applying for work when you feel that most employers will be looking for a younger person. It can be deeply depressing for some people, who feel that they are no longer wanted or needed and are being sidelined or confined to the scrap heap. But there ways of helping to prevent this from happening to you.

Start by asking yourself this question. What is the purpose of your resume? Many people feel that its purpose is to tell the employer everything they have ever done and all about themselves, their families and their interests. If you are older you may have a long work history you are proud of. But stop and think. Is that really the purpose of your resume? No - it isn't. Truly. The reason for writing a resume is to get an interview. Yes. That's it. You need to tell a potential employer about your ability to do the job that is vacant.

I have helped many older people to write resumes. My approach centres on telling the potential employer all about your skills, abilities and experience relevant to the job, whilst at the same time avoiding giving information that will tell the employer how old you are. After all - your age should be irrelevant - it's ability that matters.

So, how do you avoid age discrimination?

1) Don't tell the employer your date of birth. It isn't necessary for most jobs and is unlikely to be a skill or ability required for the work you are applying for. Leave it out completely. It simply has no place on your resume.

2) You could tell the employer about your first job as a car valeting assistant in the local garage 40 years ago. But why? It gives your age away and tells the employer nothing helpful or relevant if you are applying for a job in the Human Resources department of a large company. Better to tell the employer about your last 10 - 20 years of relevant work history.

3) In the last 20 years you have probably gained one or more relevant professional qualifications. Put these on your resume. Your school qualifications, with dates, are unlikely to be relevant now. Leave them out - completely.

4) Many people feel they need to give family details on their resume. I don't understand why. If you put "widowed with three grown up daughters and four grandchildren" you are simply flagging up for all to see that you are older. It is totally irrelevant to your ability to do the job, and simply gives the employer an opportunity to discriminate against you because you are older.

5) Hobbies. Another minefield. Are they relevant to your ability to the job? Are they helpful? Yes, you might be a member of the local over 50s Tae Kwan Do club. Yes, it tells the employer you are fit and active. But - it gives an unnecessary pointer to your age. Leave it out.

Of course the employer will find out you are older when you attend the interview. But by then you have overcome the first hurdle - you've been offered an interview. All thoughts of ageism may disappear from the employer's mind when you impress them with your motivation and ability to the job that is vacant.

Learn more about this author, Carol Smith.
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