How Can You Avoid Age Discrimination on Your CV?

Applying for a new job? Here are ways that you can brush up on your job skills and land the perfect role.

It is generally unlawful to discriminate against anyone because of their age when they are applying for work in the UK. Proving age discrimination is harder, though. Anti-ageist campaigners also say that, due to the general bias against older people many older people internalise ageist attitudes with regard to work.

There is no reason why you should be asked your age at the application stage, as this serves no purpose in the recruitment process unless the employer can make a clear business case for it.

Here we look at ways you can avoid age discrimination on your CV.

Do Not Include Certain Personal Details

Historically date of birth was a requirement, but it no longer is. So you can leave it out without feeling you are being dishonest. There is also no need to include marital status, sex or religion. A CV is about your ability to do the job.

Career Summary

Don't detail every job you have ever done. Going back around 15 years is perfectly acceptable and your most recent jobs are probably more relevant to what you are applying for anyway. In addition to this, you do not want your CV to be too long.

Education

There is no requirement at all to include dates of your qualifications so listing the degree, subjects or training without the dates is completely acceptable. You can put GCSE equivalent if you feel putting O Levels or CSEs might reveal your age. Employers will be more interested in your work experience than your education in any event.

Tailor Your CV

The purpose of the CV is to assess whether you have the skills and expertise to effectively fulfil the job so ensure you tailor your CV to each job you apply for. This can be done in the professional profile and the key skills section, where you can align to the skills and experience the job is looking for. This also assists with Applicant Tracking Systems.

Phrases to Avoid

Avoid phrases such as ‘over a certain number of years’ experience in your field’ or ‘mature’ when writing your CV.

A CV is for putting the most relevant information for the role you are applying for so ensure all the information is relevant or appropriate.

Emma Alkirwi is the Managing Director of the CV Guru which is the leading service provider of professionally written CVs, LinkedIn Profiles, cover letters in the UK.

This article was first published on workingmums.co.uk, whose assets were acquired by 55/Redefined in 2024.