I'm in my late 50s and looking to make a career change into the public sector. While I have a ton of experience, I'm worried about age discrimination. I've heard stories of resumes being tossed aside because of dates or "overqualification" concerns.

How do you navigate this? Should I tailor my resume to focus on more recent experience? Any interview tips for addressing age concerns without being defensive? I'm particularly interested in policy or program management roles, if that makes a difference.

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Ageism is one of those things that exists but it's almost always impossible to prove. No one is ever going to admit to it, of course. I've seen it suggested that having a resume that goes way back can be a turnoff. It's better to focus on the recent experience, demonstrating, if it applies, that you're up on the latest tech, procedures, regulations, whatever. No need for a lot of history.

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Unfortunately you are right OP, ageism does exist as sad as it is to say. I would definitely recommend tailoring your resume to focus on more recent experience as that is likely what they will be looking at most. Definitely get a referral if you can as that sometimes helps.

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Into the public sector?
Public sector is notorious for having institutional policies and biases that favor the old at the expense of younger workers. In many fed offices you'll have trouble finding more than 1 person under 30.

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Oh, there are also vampires-- anxious for new blood.

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They don't ask for your age in Federal Government selection processes. Just the last digit of your year of birth, I believe. Also, the Fed Government lost a huge amount of expertise with the retiring baby boomers & next generation. Experience is in demand I should think.

Besides... 50s is not old. 🤣

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I think it's going in my agency. You could research private companies that assure folks this is not going on by reading their website, where they denounce discrimination. .Albeit, it is difficult to prove in the courts.

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