Why Over 50s Can Feel Invisible When Applying For Jobs

I need to make it  clear from the outset of this article that speaking from vast experience, you are never old until you let yourself become old. Much has to do with attitude, mindset and how kindly you treat yourself. Of course, there's the inevitable aches and pains that come with age but for many, life is just beginning and if you contemplate that in 2022, there were around 15,120 centenarians living in England and Wales, an increase of 3.7% from the year before, reaching 50 could be merely reaching the halfway mark! Interestingly, across the past two decades, there has been a 58% increase in the number of UK centenarians! We have only just got started.

On a more serious note, looking for a job can be a daunting experience for anyone, but for those over 50, it often comes with an additional layer of frustration - the feeling of being invisible. Despite skills, experience, dedication and commitment, many older job seekers in the UK do face significant challenges that can make the process of finding suitable employment disheartening.

Many older candidates feel that they are being overlooked in favour of younger applicants who may be perceived as more adaptable, tech savvy or even cheaper to employ. Research by Age UK has shown that stereotypical ideas about older workers being less flexible or quick to learn new skills do still persist, despite being unfounded.

Job postings can tend to use language that subtly caters for younger candidates by using words such as dynamic or energetic which can act as a deterrent for older people.

Some over 50’s may not possess the same level of familiarity with certain digital tools as younger candidates which can lead to a lack of confidence when applying for jobs, especially if the application process itself is digital or if the job requires up to date knowledge of the latest tech platforms.

All of these factors, coupled with an abundance of rejection letters can be very disheartening indeed. However, despite the challenges, over 50s do bring invaluable experience, resilience and a strong work ethic to the job market, qualities that can really set them apart and lead to fulfilling opportunities when offered the chance of a job.

Additionally, in the UK you are not legally required to include your age or date of birth  on a job application form. Under the Equality Act 2010, employers are prohibited from discriminating against candidates based on age. To promote fairness, many companies avoid requesting this information during the initial application stage and job seekers are encouraged not to include it on their CV. However, some employers may ask for age or date of birth for monitoring diversity or compliance purposes  but this information should be collected separately from the main application and not used in the recruitment decision.

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. C.S. Lewis