Is 55 too old?

[Richardchamberlainrocks]

simple question: is being 55 years of age a factor which puts off prospective employers? I ask as I have had absolutely no follow ups from any job I have recently applied for. Even when I applied for a like for like job! I’m thinking it must be my age or I’m just terrible at doing application forms 😃

No, you have at least a decade more to go.

That doesn't mean it isn't a problem, bug it shouldn't be...

Don't put your age on your CV. It is self sabotage.

I got a new job in a different (though related) organisation at the age of 57.

It’s a difficult job market at the moment.

Don't put your d.o.b on your cv and trim the vacancies down (so only list the last 10-15years) and take the dates off any qualifications.

Use a recruiter where possible.

It's a very difficult job market. I'm 51 and did over 150 applications, which got me 11 offers of interviews.

Remove any work experience that's more than 15 years old, and take off the dates of eduction on your CV.

Good luck!

Not necessarily. We've had a big recruitment drive (for us - about 20 people, which has pretty much doubled our workforce) into our graduate trainee programme and over half of the successful applicants were career changers in their 50s.

Most of the rest were over 30 and only a handful were actual new graduates or under about 25.

Tricky re hiding dates of qualifications at this age. If you did O levels/CSE then that will indicate you are 53+. There are no two ways about it.

I have not included my GCSEs on my CV since I received my degree. I also don't include my A levels, only degree, masters and professional quals. I appreciate if your only quals are GCSEs it may be trickier but I can't imagine many employers care about GCSEs of people with a long career history.

If you have to list O levels, then put them down as GCSEs. In the unlikely event that anyone asks for your certificates you can just explain they are GCSE equivalent, which they are

Hard to know. I am early 50s and had a career break due to cancer which I disclosed (incl chemo etc) along with age and got second job applied for which is same specialist job did before. One rejected from was a lower paid role at cancer charity.

Nor have I because I also have a degree, a masters and professional qualifications. But I was responding to a poster who had suggested leaving the dates off qualifications. We don't know what qualifications the OP has or the format in which she has to submit applications - it's not always a CV and covering letter.

I think it depends on the place and culture, it's a factor but not necessarily the only thing. Another thing that might be good to try and convey in applications is a kind of 'ten year plan' for progression - try and subtly signal, without signposting your age, and whether it is true or not, that you still want to develop and that you plan to be at work, not that you want a cushy role to switch off into an early retirement. I definitely do the qualifications thing and can take ten years off my assumed age this way.

Depends on a multitude of factors and who the hiring manager is etc. However I’m 36 and someone of 55 would be my ideal candidate. Younger people often come with so much drama and poor work ethic.

My DH is finding this. He's late 50s, made over 80 applications and currently no interviews. It's a worry and he hates not working.

I am civil service and we've recently had new starts in their 60s. Not transfers from other departments, complete career changers from other industries.

Some good ideas here. Thank you. I shall just keep trying.

I've also experienced recently what can only be put down to age discrimination. I've not had my date of birth on my CV for a very long time. I then removed dates of exam qualifications. It's obvious when they finally see the exam certificates as the dates are there. I've also removed the first few years of working history. I put a note to say I would provide any details of employment prior to 2004, if required, at interview. I felt that made it clear I had additional experience, was more than happy to disclose, but I didn't consider that experience more useful than what was on the CV.

It depends on what roles you’re applying for perhaps. I recently recruited for a role and employed someone of nearing 60. She went sick after 2 days and basically didn’t return as it was too exhausting. I am almost 52.
She’d been working from home 2 hours a day for a few years. I’d been mindful of easing her in gradually.
It wouldn’t put me off employing another person in their 50s/60s, but often the computer side of it is harder with someone older (in our role, not all obviously)
As recommended, no need to add every job since the 80s. Have you looked at current formats for CV? I do find someone older can sometimes have quite a dated CV. When applying for a job, look at the company’s ethics snd language, then tailor some of your phrasing in your application.
Best of luck!

I was made redundant at 51 and had worked for 2 companies previously for a total of 25 years, so even leaving by DOB off wouldn't have made a difference in not giving away my likely age. I think what worked, was level of experience and that I was free to start by a certain date. And luck. I swear my last 3 roles, encompassing 30 years, were found by "right time, right place" which I know is not helpful. I am nearly 57 now and hope I don't have to be doing any more job hunting.....Wishing you lots of luck!

I'm in the same boat I'm late 50s and I've experienced the same right down to being asked how old I am.
It's so depressing I started thinking there was something wrong with me and I've only had two jobs in 21: years so I stick around and don't jump from job to job.

Check your cv is using up to date ways of describing your past roles. In fact, completely rewrite it, and look at similar roles to see the wording. Job titles have changed a lot too.

Have a really enthusiastic career summary and what sort of job you want.

Make sure you don't have an outdated linked in profile or pic. Check out all the advice out there. Mock interview and see what you look like on screen. Sit up, don't wear a cardigan:) I always look ancient in a woolly cardi, nowadays.

Lastly, network. Put a note out you are job hunting for a new challenge and are reaching out to your extensive network blah blah. In a few weeks thank network as a whole for helping you, and either still interviewing or found a job.
If your job isn't really linked in friendly then network in person and go to everything you can.

Is it allowed to ask your age? If anyone asks me I certainly don't tell them! Or engage in chat about my age/ looks etc.

Op, I thought I might have an issue, applying for a new role at 60, last year, but I got the second role I went for. There were skills shortages in my specialism.

I think generally it's more to do with employers cutting roles due to increases in NI and nmw, at the moment. Uncertainty due to tariffs and the trade war.

Keep applying, and it will come good. 🙂

It is a difficult market. My top advice is to just blind them with enthusiasm.

There's a great organisation called Brave Starts which supports people aged 40+ looking for work and Is extremely proactive on the ageism front- they have workshops on making your age your asset etc.