Do You Have To Put Your Age On Your CV

We answer whether or not you need to include your age on your CV as well as some helpful tips to get you employed in no time!

If you’ve been out of the job hunt mindset for a while, you might be a bit rusty when it comes to resumes. However, it may be time for you to look for a new job. And for whatever reason, you’re back at it again.

Things have changed since you were last sending out resumes and job applications, and eliminating the age factor on your resume will be crucial.

Should I Put My Age On My CV?

No. Don’t put your age on your CV, unfortunately disclosing your age can still lead to discrimination.

Even though legally speaking, employers and recruiters can’t use your age against you, there are still unconscious biases at play and hiring discrimination due to age is still very much an issue in the recruiting world.

In fact, shockingly, 90% of Irish workers over 55 believe their age has been an issue when they have been looking for work.

However, it’s not just the omission of your date of birth on a CV that you need to think about. There are other clues that might give away your true age, here are some common things to avoid that have become outdated and obsolete, and are easy ways to reveal your age.

1. Extensive work history

If you’ve been working for 20 or 30 years, chances are you’ve got quite the line-up of jobs to describe. Rather than get into the extensive list, narrow it down to the jobs that affect the one you’re applying for.

Leave out your college years foray into waitressing if it doesn’t have relevance to the job you’re hoping to get. What most companies are looking for is what you’ve been doing for the last ten years, and if you have any pertinent job experience before that.

2. Mentioning old technology

Technology changes and fluxes incredibly quickly, so mentioning old technology used in your job will date you. Leave those out, and instead use the opportunity to describe current technology you’ve worked with. The stereotype is that older people aren’t tech-savvy and don’t care to be. If you describe the current technology you’ve used (pertinent to the job, of course), you’ll definitely be getting a leg-up.

3. Old-styles of email addresses

Listing your email as an AOL address or whatever email was provided by your internet provider instantly dates you.

Those hearken back to the days when email was just gaining momentum among the general populace. Instead, set up a Gmail account for interaction with potential employers. It’s easy to do so, and it’s free. Take this extra measure so you don’t immediately get placed in the “dated” resume pile.

4. Listing your home phone number

The days when landlines were found in every home are gone. Though some people still have them, you don’t want to list that as a number your potential employer can reach you by. Instant availability goes with the territory now, so put your cell phone number down instead.

5. Not using social media

This goes back to the technology stereotype. It doesn’t matter if you enjoy or understand the hype of social media. Employers are actively using it to learn about applicants. If you can’t be found, or worse, if they think they’ve found you but found someone else, it’s very likely you’ll be passed over for someone more visible. LinkedIn is the major website for workers these days, so having a presence there is essential. Being visible and your potential employer being able to find you is very important.

Don’t let age be a factor keeping you from getting the job. And be sure you don’t include your age on your CV or have other clues that reveal your age to your potential employer. Get updated and show that you and your resume are current and ready to enter the workforce.

About Allen Recruitment

Allen Recruitment is an international recruitment consultancy business with offices in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Sweden, Belgium and Poland. A full-service recruitment consultancy offering temporary, permanent, contract and contingency roles in a variety of industries such as IT, Tech, Finance, Telecom, E-commerce, Engineering and more.