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I’m 53, have been in Tech all of my career. I am currently interviewing for a new role. I did similiar to what other posters noted. I dropped 10 years off my resume, stripped the dates off my degree. I also narrowed my search to just a few other tech companies. I got interviews at all, but the key I found to get visibility was to find the roles I was really interested in and start networking in LinkedIn to get to the recruiter or hiring manager for that role. Still progressing but I am in the running for all three. 🤞🏼 good luck and don’t give up!
In my last resume I stated in my summary that I have over 20 years of experience, but in the job section I only listed the last 15 or so with a note of more information available on request. Maybe thst helped, maybe it didn't, but putting my internship from 1995 in probably won't help.
In general, yes, ageism is a problem in tech.
I did a similar thing as the respondent above with my resume and I also believe it’s a helpful approach.
Yes, it is a real thing. You are not imagining it. Sadly, one of the tactics I used in my last transition was using a gender neutral form of my name on my resume and submissions. It increased initial response rates by 35%. In the end, I ended up accepting a much lower role basically trashing all career aspirations although the pay was the same. Do everything you can to present younger, drop 10 years experience off your resume, don't list dates on your education, freshen your appearance if needed, watch your references and words in interviews. I had the impression that tech were all trying to find seasoned women so a transition would be easy. The rhetoric doesn't match the reality of the process. Try Facebook-- they've publicly published some very aggressive goals for women hiring in tech and seem to be more open than some right now.
I’m not suggesting it is right nor good. It’s awful. What I am saying is that the discrimination is real and there is a choice to play the game in a way that can help your chances to work through the muck or not according to personal comfort level. It’s easier to take a moral high ground when you don’t have bills to pay and need a job. A professional exec job coach once told me that your goal in an interview is to make yourself as least objectionable as possible. Does it hurt to degrade your “true self,” sure it does. My goal for the post was just to share options to overcome. Doesn’t mean they don’t suck but they can help success.
PS freshen wasn’t meant to be creepy, more to suggest appearing modern doesn’t hurt.
It is hard to tell as we can't see your process of applying. There are so many variables and you might simply have wrong positioning, applying to jobs that don't match your resume/ portfolio and so on. Also, if you put all 25 years of experience - are you sure all 25 are relevant to the roles you are applying to? I am assuming you are at executive level then. If yes, your best is to get jobs through network and recommendations. Also through specialized agencies that help executives. It's hard to get a job at this level by just simply applying. If not, you probably need to filter out some experience and leave only relevant.
P.S. I hope age/ photo and all those things are not on your resume.
Yes- ageism is a thing! I am exactly the same age. I was laid off at the beginning of the pandemic and only found a JOB 4 months ago- mind you my tenure at previous positions has been long, no job hopping. I interviewed multiple times and only when I found a female CEO was I hired.
I think you are the OP though?
The good news is that tech companies are now cautioning hiring managers against filtering for “cultural fit.” Why? Everyone knows it’s a dog whistle for discrimination. There is a strong push to check internal biases.
Employers are leery of older workers in tech because they worry their experience is with older technology, and that they’ll be inflexible and won’t adapt. (To be fair, this happens a lot. Someone who spent 20 years mastering something often can’t handle that it’s old news.) I assume you’re on LinkedIn and have a social media presence. I suggest including social media links and a photo, but present “youthful” instead of “young.” A recent candid of you doing something high-energy and fun will be more effective than a stiff headshot from 10 years ago. I scrub experience from my resume that’s over 20 years old. When you describe your skill set, put the emphasis on the newest technology and how quickly you ramped and are eager to do more.
Also, make sure your resume uses a contemporary structure and a short, bulleted format. When you list the applications and admin tasks you’re experienced in, be ruthless. Microsoft Word proficiency isn’t a “skill” anymore. Look at younger colleagues’ resumes and see if they’re including the same apps.
One common benefit to older workers (which shouldn’t be a consideration, but hey, unconscious bias is why this thread exists) is we usually don’t have young kids vying for our time. In interviews I’ve found ways to slyly mention my flexibility and ability to focus on my career.
One more tip: This may not be age related. Make sure you read contemporary articles and watch videos on how to rock a screening call. It’s very different today from 10 years ago. Don’t assume you can answer questions spontaneously and your experience will carry the day. Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for specific phrases and response styles.
Honestly, in tech, there’s no promise of longevity from an employee and with all the importance of D&I, no one should know your actual age so I’d say it’s unlikely. How are you applying? Are you working with recruiters? Your network? Who is connecting you to the right folks to get an interview? Are you doing phone screens? What’s your resume look like?
In tech, your experience screams your age. Think of the layers of hardware and software evolved. And as a woman you will always be too cute /unattractive, too young /old, too strong&loud/mousy&unassertive, too motherly or sisterly. You have to work against that. Though, I have known some women who could play into that and still succeed.
Frustrated, but yes, my resume is professionally done .
Although I'm a newbie to tech, I do believe age is is a thing because it is a thing everywhere in society along with other forms of discrimination. However, I do believe you're doing the right thing to get feedback here from others who have been through this and come out the other side
Chief
Yes, depending on where you are the impact will vary. Sadly data shows that ageism is real, also in tech.
Interest interviews and networking is THE KEY.
My oldest client was in her 70s who got bored in retirement. She landed a great role doing what was worth it for her.
I agree with everything said here. I am 51 and ageism is a real systemic problem. Not only is it more challenging to get interviews for a position but getting a promotion and salary increase becomes harder the older you get.
Be true to yourself. Market your skills and experience (in that order). Don’t talk yrs or age. Most important KNOW GOD has a plan for you more wonderful than you can imagine. Which may be a complete career change 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
In tech, unfortunately, there is definitely such a thing.