Ageism?

Hi there. I've been a PA for 28 years (i'm 52) and have recently been made redundant. I'm applying for lots of jobs but am getting rejected each time even though i've got loads of experience and to be honest could do the job standing on my head!! I'm starting to get the feeling my age is a problem!! I'm so desperate i'm even thinking of applying for much more junior roles just so i can get back into the job market. Is my age a problem? Should i leave my DOB off my CV? Help!!

Pat B

Lyn Cecil, MD of Secretaries Plus offers the following advice:

First and foremost a date of birth should never be on a CV as it is now discriminatory for an employer to rule out anyone on age. Also if she is putting it onto job boards she is at risk of ID theft.

I would expect that whilst she feels that the roles she is applying for she could do 'standing on her head' it is more likely that her CV is not bespoke for every application she makes. i.e. she needs to 'mirror the language' in each job description and highlight her achievements and where she can 'add value' to the specific role.

With an average of 200++ applicants per advert and employers and agencies being able to pick the best match, the only way to get short listed is to ensure that the CV is targeted to the application and not a generic, one size fits all CV.

Additionally, she may not be using a 'true type font' i.e. Ariel, Garamond or Tahoma etc which means she may not be being picked up by the new software that is used in a lot of cases. Or she may have tricky formatting that also means her CV won't be read by the software.

The reality is that it is more likely that her CV doesn't showcase her enough as a 'perfect match' rather than her age.

In today's digitally sophisticated age and with intense competition for every role, what worked 2, 5 or 10 years ago will not work now.

If she is not working and is on Jobseekers Allowance she can ask her Personal Adviser at Jobcentre Plus to book her on the unwieldily named ‘Job search Support for newly unemployed Professionals' that our training division, The Plus Team runs in Central London and the Home Counties in partnership with the Jobcentres that includes these points and also Competency Based Interviews amongst others.

Lyn Cecil

Managing Director

Secretaries Plus