How to Combat Age Discrimination: How Much Work History to Include on Your Resume

While extensive experience often positions you as an ideal candidate, age discrimination can hinder your job search. Many seasoned professionals may find themselves overlooked due to age bias. It’s essential to understand how to navigate this challenge effectively.

This may leave you pondering, how far back should a resume go?

Employers are adept at assessing experience. Although it’s illegal for them to inquire about your age directly, listing two decades of work experience can signal to them that you are an older candidate, potentially leading to your resume being discarded.

Contrary to stereotypes, more seniors are participating in the workforce than ever, which is why we’re sharing key elements to avoid on your resume. Read on for valuable tips to minimize age-related bias in your job applications.

Key Takeaways:

• Omit your graduation date from your resume and refrain from including dates for older work experiences to mitigate age discrimination.

• Stay informed about the latest trends within your industry to demonstrate relevance and adaptability.

• To ensure your work history remains focused and pertinent, limit your professional experience to the last 10-15 years.

Why Employers Hesitate to Hire Older Applicants

Hiring older applicants can be a tremendous asset to a company. Unfortunately, age bias may lead employers to overlook experienced candidates, potentially depriving their organization of valuable skills and insights.

Familiarizing yourself with common misconceptions about hiring individuals aged 50 and over can empower you to address ageism and determine how much work experience to highlight on your resume.

The Do’s and Don’ts to Combat Age Discrimination

1. Do: Stay updated with industry trends and news. This reflects your engagement and knowledge of current developments.

   Don’t: Be perceived as out of touch. Older workers can be viewed as disconnected from industry advancements.

2. Do: Embrace opportunities for training and personal development.

   Don’t: Resist new training. Older professionals are often seen as set in their ways, making them appear difficult to train.

3. Do: Familiarize yourself with the latest software and tools in your field. Consider taking courses to enhance your skills.

   Don’t: Be considered tech-challenged. Professionals over 50 should demonstrate their ability to adapt to new technologies.

4. Do: Exhibit flexibility, energy, and a positive demeanor.

   Don’t: Raise doubts about your cultural fit in a youthful workplace. Younger teams may be wary of integrating older employees.

5. Do: Communicate your passion for your work and your desire to continue growing within the organization.

   Don’t: Allow employers to worry about your potential retirement. Concerns about longevity may prevent them from investing in your training.

6. Do: Research current salary benchmarks to ensure your salary expectations are competitive and reasonable.

   Don’t: Create doubt about your worth due to a higher salary expectation. Older professionals often command higher pay than their younger peers.

9 Resume Tips to Keep Your Profile Fresh

Being an older applicant doesn’t have to hinder your job search. Here are some strategies to refresh your resume:

1. Keep it recent. Limit your professional experience to the past 10-15 years. This helps showcase your career growth while keeping your resume concise.

2. Highlight your progression within your previous role. If you’ve had long tenure at a company, it’s beneficial to demonstrate your growth, responsibilities, and accomplishments.

   Digital Shop Stop, New York, New York (2010-2020)

   Director of Customer Service (2015-2020)

   • Led the operational management team, enhancing performance through accountable metrics.
   • Fostered a culture focused on achieving customer service excellence.
   • Empowered the customer service team to engage effectively with clients.

   Customer Service Manager (2012-2015)

   • Supervised customer service operations and managed team performance.
   • Trained staff to uphold high standards of customer service.
   • Ensured compliance with company policies.

   Customer Service Representative (2010-2012)

   • Provided exceptional service to customers via phone, email, and chat.
   • Accurately verified and updated client information.
   • Recommended services based on customer needs.

3. Be selective about your work history. If transitioning careers, it’s advisable to focus on relevant experiences rather than listing everything.

   KEEP THIS EXPERIENCE: IT’S CURRENT

   CREATIVE GROUP, INC. Schaumburg, Illinois 2000-Present
   Provider of meeting and events, group incentive travel, employee engagement and recognition, sales incentives, and channel loyalty programs.

   Senior Travel Consultant (2008-Present)

   • Generated travel solutions for high-profile clients, including Fortune 500 companies.
   • Served as a mentor to advisors, ensuring professionalism and high service standards.
   • Consulted with clients to design cost-effective travel plans.
   • Facilitated unique travel arrangements tailored to client needs.
   • Managed client profiles within the SABRE system.
   • Led team development initiatives to enhance skills and performance.
   • Received consistent positive feedback from clients on performance reviews.

   Travel Consultant (2000-2008)

   • Coordinated travel for VIPs and groups, ensuring superior customer service.
   • Responded promptly to customer inquiries and requests.
   • Maintained excellent client relationships by exceeding expectations.

   CUT THIS EXPERIENCE OFF: IT’S MORE THAN 20 YEARS OLD

   AMR EAGLE, INC. 1988-2000

   Operations Planning Agent (1995-2000)

   • Prepared flight weight and balance sheets prior to departures.
   • Responded to inbound operational inquiries and maintained accurate records.
   • Coached new staff, earning commendations for customer service excellence.

   Passenger Service Trainer/Lead Agent (1992-1995)

   • Delivered training programs on passenger service protocols.
   • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry training developments.

4. Don’t include specific dates for older roles. Consider summarizing past work experiences without dates. Label this section as Additional Work Experience.

   Example:

   Additional Work Experience

   • Acme Company, Senior Account Manager, Dayton, Ohio
   • Erickson Gadgets, Account Supervisor, Cincinnati, Ohio
   • Smith Technologies, Account Representative, Akron, Ohio

5. Keep it concise. Aim for a resume length of 1-2 pages. While one page may be too brief, two pages can provide ample space to highlight your achievements.

   With hiring managers often pressed for time, a shorter resume increases the likelihood they will read it thoroughly. For more guidance, check out how long your resume should be.

6. Update your technical skills and include them on your resume. Showcasing your technical proficiency can instill greater confidence in recruiters.

   Technology Skills:

   Microsoft Office Suite, G-Suite, Asana, WordPress, Hootsuite, CRM Software

7. Don’t include your college graduation date. Avoid listing an anticipated graduation date. Here are more tips for what to include in the education section of your resume.

   Western Illinois University, Bachelor of Communications, Macomb, Illinois

8. Update any certifications. If you require additional training, consider enrolling in relevant courses.

   PMP: Project Management Professional Certification

9. Don’t use outdated email services. Opt for a Gmail or Yahoo address instead. Avoid using overly personal or outdated formats:

   Grandmaloveskiddos3@gmail.com

   Also, refrain from including your birth year in your email:

   bobjones1967@gmail.com

Final Thoughts

The key to presenting a youthful and vibrant resume is to focus on including only the last 10-15 years of work experience.

You bring immense value to the table with your rich professional background and expertise. A positive attitude and effective presentation of your qualifications will help you secure a job opportunity that you truly enjoy.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.