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When I turned 62 years old, I decided I was going to reverse time. One of the actions I took was getting tattoos of my dogs on my calves. I admire younger folk who have tattoos, the free nature they exude. Besides, I love my dogs.
Another action I took was upping my exercise routine from pace-walking to jogging. I can't honestly call it "running"; nonetheless, I'm feeling healthier and younger. Sure, I'm huffing and puffing as I jog through my neighborhood, but I'm setting a personal best day by day. (No, I won't tell you what it is.
I see other LinkedIn members who write about how they're trying new things that they wanted to do when they were younger--not necessarily getting tattoos--and activities, like competing in triathlons, learning a new instrument, or taking gourmet cooking classes.
For you experienced workers (sometimes called older or mature workers) my point here is that it isn't about your biological age; it's about your attitude that might get you past ageism. Because one of the things employers worry about is our longevity and ability to keep up with the youngsters.
We in the career development field advise experienced workers to package their greatness to make employers focus less on their age. Of course when it comes down to it, some of the foolish employers will practice ageism, but these are the ones you wouldn't want to work for anyways. Here are 25 tips to combat ageism as best you can.
Written Communication
Mask your age on your resume by not going back in your work history more than 10-15 years, and I still stand by this. It shows your age, which either consciously or subconsciously leads the employer to discriminate against you. Get to the interview where you can show your greatness and make that standout, notably the value you'll deliver to the employer.
Discuss recent accomplishments rather than relying on what you achieved 20 years ago. I know you're proud of the accomplishments you achieved beyond 15 years, but employers aren't as impressed as what you've achieved more recently.
Don't rely on your years of experience like, "I have 35 years of experience in Program Management," which shifts your value to your age. I hear this over and over when I interview my clients to prepare them for the real thing. Even if you have 10 years years experience, that's not your value; that's fact. Your value is what you've achieved in the years of employment.
Become more visible by showing up on LinkedIn before...and after you land a job. You might have a great profile, but it means nothing unless you show up to play on the playground. Try to write insightful comments on the posts and articles written by important people. If you think hiring managers don't contribute on LinkedIn, I come across some written by the VP of Marketing often. That's just one example.
Build a current personal brand with a professional photo, an active LinkedIn presence, and content that reflects today's thinking. Your profile can draw recruiters to you if it's optimized with the skills they're looking for, but more importantly are how you come across with a banner that speaks to your occupation or industry, a professional headshot, a Headline that speaks to your title and areas of expertise, and well-written About and Experience sections.
Embrace modern technology, including AI tools. Especially AI tools. You might be morally opposed to using AI to write your resume. Don't look at it that way. I tell my clients that if they have a solid resume and LinkedIn profile, use an LLM to polish it, while maintaining their voice. The last thing you want is to have recruiters think your resume reads like everyone else's.
Demonstrate continuous learning by highlighting recent certifications, courses, webinars, or professional development. One stereotype employers have of experienced workers is their inability to learn new skills. If you can show that you've been taking training on AI in the workplace, this demonstrates ambition and a desire to improve your professional skills.
Lead with results, not actions on your resume and LinkedIn profile. Put the good stuff out front where it won't go missed. Which shows more assertiveness and confidence?
- "Boosted year-end profitability 35% in 2024 by improving implementation efficiency and leading a 15-member cross-functional SaaS team to deliver all projects on time"
or
- "Led a 15-member cross-functional SaaS team to deliver all projects on time and improve implementation efficiency, leading to 35% year-end profitability in 2024."
Write concisely in your resume, LinkedIn profile, emails, and cover letters. Clear, modern writing demonstrates clear thinking. I've found that many experienced workers feel the need to go into every nuance of their accomplishments when less is sufficient. Here's an example of the accomplishment statement mentioned above with extraneous information that can be explained in an interview:
- Boosted year-end profitability by 35% in 2024 by improving implementation efficiency while leading a 15-member cross-functional SaaS team consisting of five engineers, one project manager, five sales professionals, and four marketing specialists responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering all customer implementation projects on time throughout the fiscal year.
Oral Communications
Exude energy during networking events and interviews. When the rubber meets the road, fellow networkers and employers will see your age, but make them forget it by being upbeat and excited about the opportunities. One of my youngest clients was 74 years old. He had a contagious smile and a twinkle in his eyes.
Sound enthusiastic on the phone, without overdoing it. One thing I've noticed about experienced workers is they sound tired, and perhaps they are. You don't want to confirm another stereotype employers have of someone 50 and over: they're out of energy; dare I say, "Decrepit." Project the opposite: smile as you talk, use inflection when appropriate, use youthful phrases like, "I enjoy staying busy and tackling new challenges."
Talk about collaboration and not only focusing on your role in the teams. You've been told that employers want to know what you did on projects, not what your teammates did. This is true to a point. Give credit where it's due. "Many of my teams worked collaboratively to achieve outstanding accomplishments. My role in this particular project was...."
Display curiosity about the company's future, thereby giving the impression you're there for the long haul. Even if it's an individual contributor role you're applying for, show that you see the bigger picture by asking questions at the end of interviews that you are sincerely interested in the path the company is taking. Then, explain how previous companies you worked for grew in similar ways.
Demonstrate adaptability by sharing stories about learning new technologies, processes, or responsibilities. Another stereotype employers have about experienced workers; they can't adapt to changing technology. One of my clients was an operations manager. His company had to move locations, of which he was in charge of leading the transition. He said he loved the responsibility. He was also 64 years old.
Network with professionals of all generations, not just your peers. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "What roles would someone younger and less experienced know about for a VP of Operations like me?" First of all, that tells me the person thinks they're all that (above anyone below them), and second of all, they don't understand how networking works. It's a team approach where everyone is looking out for each other and they may hear of opportunities, even though they're a level or two below you.
Project confidence without nostalgia. Avoid phrases like, "Back in my day..." Admittedly, I've used the exact phrase, and I felt old saying it. Refrain from talking about how long ago you used different methods to perform your duties as a registered nurse. In fact, if they are outdated, don't bring them up.
Demonstrate a youthful attitude and not just talking about it. Because ultimately, the best defense against ageism isn't denying your age. It's making your age irrelevant by demonstrating that you're still learning, contributing, and excited about what's next. That mindset is difficult to dismiss, regardless of the number on your driver's license.
Personal Appearance & First Impressions
Dress in current outfits, not like it's the 50's. Remember how you dressed for interviews 15 years ago? That ain't how it's done anymore. Fashions have changed to reflect more relaxed, less stodgy attire. When you overdress, you run the risk of not understanding today's culture, which might imply that you're not a good fit. Visit YouTube to see how today's job seeker is dressing for interviews and networking events.
Minimize distractions. Silence your phone, remove your sunglasses before entering, and avoid carrying excessive bags or papers that make you appear disorganized. Hiring managers begin evaluating you the moment they see you, not when the interview officially starts. Looking organized and focused tells them you'll bring the same level of professionalism to the job. Eliminate anything that competes for their attention, so the focus stays where it belongs—on you.
Walk into the room with confidence. Good posture, purposeful movement, and a genuine smile create a positive first impression before you say a word. Don't shuffle into the room or appear hesitant. Instead, stand tall, make a confident entrance, and look like someone who expects to be there. People naturally respond to confidence, and confidence often influences how competent they perceive you to be.
Offer a confident handshake (when appropriate) or an equally confident greeting. Your first physical interaction sets the tone for the entire interview. A firm—but not crushing—handshake, or a warm verbal greeting with a smile, conveys professionalism and self-assurance. It says, "I'm happy to be here," without saying a word. Remember, first impressions are difficult to reverse.
Maintain appropriate eye contact. Eye contact demonstrates confidence, interest, and authenticity without appearing intimidating. Looking away too often can make you seem uncertain or disengaged, while staring can make others uncomfortable. Aim for natural eye contact as you speak and listen. It shows you're fully present and genuinely interested in the conversation.
Smile naturally. A warm, genuine smile makes you appear approachable, collaborative, and someone people would enjoy working with. You don't need to grin from ear to ear throughout the interview, but smiling when greeting people, listening, and discussing accomplishments creates positive energy. Employers aren't just hiring your skills—they're hiring someone they'll want to work with every day.
Look like you belong there. Dress and carry yourself in a way that fits the company's culture. The goal isn't to look younger: it's to look like someone who already belongs on the team. Employers naturally picture candidates in the role as they're interviewing them. Help them see you as their next colleague, not just another applicant.
Answer questions about your age with confidence and pride. Employers might try to trick you in interviews by asking when you graduated high school, or they might outright ask you how old you are. I tell my webinar attendees that they can reply with, "That's an inappropriate question and I don't see what it has to do with my ability to perform."
You can say with confidence and a smile on your face, "I'm 63, which means I bring more experience and make less mistakes then younger workers. Wouldn't you prefer someone who can bring outstanding experience, skills, and professionalism to your company and make it stronger? In addition, I have many years of dedicated work ahead of me." Leave it at that.
What it really boils down to is Instead of asking yourself, "How do I avoid ageism?" ask, "How do I become the obvious choice?" When you communicate effectively, stay current, project confidence, and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm, employers stop thinking about your age and start thinking about your potential. That's when you've flipped the script.
Related: Storytelling Can Make or Break a Job Search—Are You Using It in the Right Place?