Dealing with age discrimination
As previously stated, the majority of employers are fully aware that a mature aged worker has the capacity to bring an extra dimension to the role and the organisation that a younger person cannot. This is the benefit they have gained from their life and usually other employment experiences.
For this reason, overt discrimination by employers on the basis of a person's age is less likely to be experienced nowadays. Given also the predicted widespread labour market shortages due to the retirement of the baby boomer generation, it is likely that mature aged workers will increasingly find employment opportunities are readily available.
To ensure that your skills and experience are assessed on their merits by potential employers, ensure that your age is not disclosed in your resume, application letter etc. Realise also that other information that you provide in your resume will provide clues about your age, for example, a lengthy previous employment history, the dates you provide about when you have gained other qualifications or training. Look at your resume carefully to ensure that it is your skills and experience that draw attention and interest, not your age.
Equal Opportunity Employment legislation exists to prevent employers from discriminating against mature age job candidates, and the Office of the Commissioner of Equal Opportunity may be able to assist if you believe you have experienced discriminatory behaviour – Office of the Employee Ombudsman.
Often the biggest form of age discrimination however, starts with the mature aged individual. This occurs with self limiting beliefs and negative self talk such as "I'm too old", "It's too late to change career". If your own attitude about your age is negative, you can hardly expect a different response from employers.
A realistic reappraisal of your skills and knowledge, particularly your transferable skills, should convince you that you have many advantages over younger people who might be competing for the same job opportunities as you.