92
Ageism
I keep reading about tips to help stop applications from being rejected due to the age of the applicant (This is very illegal but we all know it's done. As we know, the words "energetic, fast-paced, agile-minded, future focused, digital natives" are code for younger applicants only.
My issue is online applications that won't let you go to the next screen unless you fill out the date of graduation from everything grad school, college, and yes--this is a dead giveaway, year of high school graduation! I know this information gives a chance for my age to be held against me (I'm 53) and really don't want to put it on there. Especially if it's not relavent (year of college graduation is on transcripts and once you have that, high school dates should never be considered anyway unless you are trying to calculate age!
I've also read not to fill out the salary desired part, and I would rather not, but I can't change screens and can only put in numbers not "to be considered" or anything else.Has anyone figured a way around this? It's like the writers have never actually filled out an actual application.
Muriel Harley
57
06/27/20 at 4:06PM UTC
I'm 62 and becoming concerned about ageism. I don't color my hair but I am beginning to consider it. I had to feel that I'm compromising but I think I will have to do it to get someone to look at me on Linkedin. It is a sad situation.
Marnie JohnsonCustomer service focused IT professional.
20
03/03/20 at 6:42PM UTC
I know how you feel. Ageism is definitely rampant. Network, network, network. I had a friend bluntly tell me we both know you are older, there is nothing you can do about that. But, through networking, she told me about the job I now have! She also told me to buy a new, trendy but professional suit. Don't give up!
Jillian PostBuilding better communication strategies
1.3k
03/01/20 at 2:23PM UTC
Ageism is the “ism” everybody includes in DE&I workshops but doesn’t really know how to address. It’s prolific, disheartening, and yes, illegal. But it’s rampant. Not just in job applications but commercials, attitude, policies, culture ... and it’s only going to get worse with millions of baby boomers trying to navigate “retirement “ (you are about 5 years outside this group but I am not). Very few can afford to retire. We need to continue to make money. Healthcare costs are off the charts ... it’s really setting up to be quite the crisis. I wish I had an answer but that is why when I do the work I do, I speak up about it ... very vocally.
Lori Parker
92
03/01/20 at 10:56PM UTC
Thank you for your honesty.
Anonymous
03/01/20 at 1:38PM UTC
There’s no way around required fields and I don’t recommend lying about your graduation year. You should be supplementing applying on company websites with networking and submitting your application directly to talent acquisition and hr people.
