Combating Ageism in the Job Hunt

What is Ageism?

Ageism, or age-based discrimination, is the type of discrimination which occurs against people because of their age. This type of discrimination occurs in virtually every aspect of society, including the job market.

In the job market, ageism is particularly pernicious in that it has been found that older applicants are discriminated against not only when it comes to hiring, but to the promotion and advancement opportunities they are afforded. Such discrimination usually takes the form of preferred hiring of younger individuals over older applicants, a move which can be hard to detect and even prove.

Signs of Ageism in the Job Hunt

Ageism in the job hunt can show itself in a number of ways. For example, employers may offer lower salaries or packages for older applicants, may not even call them to an interview or may ask questions related to age. Such inquiries, while in a sense harmless, often betray an underlying bias and can be seen as signs of ageist tendencies.

Age discrimination can also come in more subtle forms, such as in the language an employer uses when interviewing an older applicant. From the wording in the job advertisement to the questions asked during the interview, an employer may, without realising, use language that shows an underlying ageist bias.

Combating Ageism in the Job Market

The practice of ageism in the job market remains widespread, and though awareness of its prevalence is growing, a solution to it remains elusive. Despite this, there are ways in which those individuals facing ageism in the job market can fight back.

For example, older applicants can target job markets which are friendly to their age group. For instance, companies that are dedicated to training or encouraging experienced workers could be of interest. Additionally, by recrafting their resumés and LinkedIn profiles to emphasise the skills most relevant for the desired job, and by networking when possible, applicants can try to offset the discrimination they may face.

Advocacy and Action against Ageism

Though individual strategies can help to combat the ageism present in the job market, wider understanding and acceptance of these practices are needed to tackle it at its root. To this end, numerous organisations are actively advocating for the rights of older people in the job market, such as AARP, NCOA and the Older Women's League.

In the meantime, it remains important and necessary to promote the eye-opening facts and evidence regarding ageism in the job market - a task which can be helped by the adoption of policies aimed at combatting this form of discrimination within the workplace.

Conclusion