Age discrimination during the job search

Your age doesn't need to be a barrier to securing work - start with some simple changes to your CV.

On one hand, age discrimination at any stage of the recruitment process is illegal. On the other hand, older applicants may find the process harder to navigate - if not due to direct discrimination then maybe because their application doesn’t align with current expectations and show them off to their best advantage. An applicant who hasn’t hit the job market for many years may struggle to make an impact on UK recruiters for various reasons. Fear not! Word Dragon has some handy CV hints and tips to help you on your way to a rewarding job.

1. Focus on the last 10 years to avoid age discrimination

Whatever your age, it’s what you’ve done recently that counts. Skills go out of date, you forget things, processes evolve… no-one needs to know the minute details of a role you did 20 or 30 years ago. As a general rule, your CV should focus on what you’ve been doing for the last 10 years. Anything prior to that can be summarised in a line or two, or even eliminated altogether. If you've had a career break in the last 10 years, a short explanation is all that's needed.

2. Remove outdated information

A CV doesn’t need to include every single detail of your life and there is no need, and no legal requirement, to include absolutely everything. Your CV is your personal sales document, so if something doesn’t sell you, there’s no need for it to be on your CV. If you’re 60 years old and your CV still proudly states that you were Captain of the school netball team… you’re oversharing. Consider the poor recruiter, who has piles of CVs to wade through, and just tell them what they need to know to offer you that job.

3. Show that you’re up to date

Eliminate the most obvious age concern by showing that you’re up to date with the latest developments in your industry. If you’re in marketing, for example, show that you’re as confident with digital, social media and influencer marketing as you are with traditional print marketing. If you’re in IT, list current technologies that you’re familiar with and don’t mention those that are now obsolete.

The focus should be on the skills you have that will transfer into a new role and enable you to contribute to a business, not those that will have minimal impact. Reflecting the requirements of the job advert in your CV and cover letter is a great way to show you're equipped to meet the company's needs.

4. Review old qualifications

An age giveaway on a CV is often in the qualifications. If you have a degree, by all means include it. But CSEs and O-levels shouldn’t be there. They were phased out around 1986 - that’s 40 years ago! Your career trumps these qualifications – play on your professional experience, rather than something that ages you and which has very little relevance to the job you’re aiming for. 

5. Avoid age discrimination by reviewing dates

Dates are the obvious basic giveaway if you’re trying to avoid age discrimination. There’s absolutely no need for anyone to include their date of birth on a CV. You may also want to remove the dates that you achieved your qualifications. Jobs that you had back in the 70s, 80s, or 90s can be eliminated completely, or at the most included as a sentence that avoids any mention of dates. However, dates since the millennium should be included – they’re expected and will be unlikely to negatively influence a hiring manager. 

6. Choose a modern layout 

A modern layout will attract attention. That’s not to say you should create an over-designed document full of graphics – quite the opposite! Create a format that appeals and reflects your personality, whilst still exuding professionalism. When you're trying to avoid age discrimination, nothing screams out of touch louder than a CV written in Times New Roman.

Top tip:  Why not try this free CV template to make sure you're using a modern layout?

7. Show your value

The best way for anyone, of any age, to make a positive impression with their CV is to demonstrate clearly the impact they can have on a business. Including quantifiable achievements for each role will show the hiring manager how you have contributed and that you understand the impact your role can have on the wider business. 

8. Write from the point of view of your reader

This is the number one CV-writing rule. The document you’re producing isn’t about you – it’s about how you can meet the company’s needs. Even if something is terribly important to you, it may not be so to your reader. Focus, tailor and keep every word relevant to the retirement job you're aiming for.

Use your new CV to get that job!

If you find yourself looking for a new job later in life, I do hope that this advice has been useful. Just because age discrimination is illegal doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but there are steps you can take to mitigate it.

If you want to make sure  your CV meets current best practice standards, why not work with Word Dragon to get a professionally written CV? There are services for every budget and I'm looking forward to supporting your next steps! Get in touch!

Updated 2026