Employment Equality (Age) Regulations laws around the world became the biggest shake-up in workplace anti-discrimination laws for more than a quarter of a century, with ageist recruitment practices outlawed to protect a population that will see one in three workers over the age of 50 by 2020.

If you have been out of the job market for a while, are one of the workers every year who has recently been made redundant or you simply want to find a new challenge, here are ways how you can beat the ageism trap and get noticed.

Adapt your CV format

Although you no longer need to include your date of birth on your CV, there is no point pandering to the minority of recruiters who will discriminate on the basis of age - which is what the traditional Chronological CV will do.

A Skills-Based CV that does exactly what is says on the tin – highlights your skills and professional achievements and relates them specifically to the job you are applying for, rather than focusing on the roles you have held. The older you get, the more role's you're likely to have held so this is a much more appropriate format to get across your key attributes.

If you do choose a Chronological CV, be selective about the dates you include and avoid coming across as over-qualified for the advertised position or boastful about your years of service. For instance, set a time limit of no more than ten years on your employment history.

Only include achievements that are directly relevant to the job you are applying for. Employers are looking for the things that are specific to the position they need to fill and will hire you based on what you can offer their business now, not what you did twenty years ago. You are only as good as your last game, as the saying goes.

One of the biggest reservations that employers have when considering hiring an older worker, is their technical ability which are a requirement in almost any role. Highlight your IT skills, and any computer training courses you have undertaken to develop these.

Seeing old faces

Once your CV has got you the interview, it's much harder to hide your age. In fact – why should you? Go in with enthusiasm and banish thoughts that “You can't teach and old dog new tricks”.

Many older workers fail when it comes to job interviews presuming their experience is enough. Companies like to move with the times and one of the things employers look for when recruiting is someone who's going to take them forward. Prove to them that you're up-to-date with the latest goings on in the industry and try and link that back to your experience, maybe likening a recent development to one you have previously seen and describe how you handled that situation.

As an older worker your life situation can be used to your benefit. Whereas younger workers often up sticks and move around, you can play the card that you're settled, and ready to commit to the company for a number of years, saving them all manner of costs when it comes to recruitment and training.

Ignore age-gaps

Depending on the role you're after, it may be the case that your interviewer, or new boss if you're successful) is going to be much younger than you. Don't make an issue of it - they're in that role because they can do the job. Even if you think you'd be better suited to their role, don't begrudge their success – help them learn from your experience and expertise.

Become know in the workplace as someone people can learn from – if you do it enough, the management will notice and reward you accordingly.

If you feel you're having problems with Age Discrimination, whether it's in the workplace or during the recruitment process, your local Citizens Advice Bureau will be able to offer further advice on what action you can take.

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