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Tips for handling age bias

In a country whose economy is dominated by the youth, it becomes very difficult for baby boomers to fit in. Even though there is a special act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which was formulated in 1967, there is no respite from age discrimination.

Author: Anna D Banks Gcdf

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In a country whose economy is dominated by the youth, it becomes very difficult for baby boomers to fit it. Who are these baby boomers? They are the ones who were born between 1946 and 1964. They are the ones who matured while struggling for civil rights. They are ones who believe that they helped in the formulation of the core values of society. There are 76 million baby boomers in America.

Age discrimination is very prominent amongst these baby boomers. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has received 19,921 complaints in 2002. This number jumped up 41% since 1999. Though in 2004, that number dropped to 17,837, it is still a large number.

Even though there is a special act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which was formulated in 1967, there is no respite from age discrimination. As though struggling with midlife crisis, beer bellies, receding hairlines, diminishing eyesight were not enough; these baby boomers now have to face age discrimination.

Recognizing age discrimination

So how would you as a baby boomer recognize age bias or age discrimination against you?

• If you have applied for a training program that you think will benefit you; is suitable for you and you get passed up for some one who is younger but not completely qualified for it, you may have been a victim of age discrimination.
• In spite of getting several good performance accolades, you keep missing that or keep getting passed up on that promotion, you have experienced age discrimination.
• If words like Stone Age, dinosaurs, gray haired are used in your presence. This is age discrimination.
• If you have been shifted to a small basement office from your cozy little garden view office for no reason whatsoever, you are a victim of age bias.
• If your boss keeps pressurizing you to take up retirement or keeps telling you to consider retirement, then this is age discrimination.
• If you get fired for no other reason than your age. You have been discriminated because of your age.
• If you have applied for a job, and a younger and less qualified person gets chosen over you, then this is age discrimination.

Tips on handling age discrimination

• Avoid that chip on your shoulder. Or better yet, shake it off. There is nothing worse than carrying a chip on your shoulder while going in for an interview. Be passionate about the job you are applying for. Make the interviewer see past the gray hair and at your job skills and what you can do for the company.
• Do your own screening before the interview. Make sure that you speak to the concerned person and not some human resource executive, who is not going to value you and your experience for what it is.
• Make your resume work for you. Create a resume that is without dates as this makes the person focus on your experience rather than your age.
• Acting your age is the best thing you can do to look and appear dignified. Be confident and act confident. That is what is going to impress people. Just remember that while being confident is one thing, being superior is another. Your boss maybe younger than you, but that does not undermine his role as your boss. Make him/her feel comfortable around you, this will avoid age discrimination.

About Author

ANNA D. BANKS, GCDF is an adjunct professor at Essex County College, career development and marketing coach, speaker, and author. Anna helps individuals design a game plan for an extraordinary career or business. Since 1996, Anna has helped hundreds of job-seekers, managers, business owners, and sales professionals achieve career success. For more information send an email to Anna@AnnaBanks.com.

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Tips for handling age bias