5 Ways To Beat Age Discrimination And Get Ahead In The Workplace

5 Ways To Beat Age Discrimination And Get Ahead In The Workplace
Jobstreet content teamupdated on 10 March, 2022
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Dealing With Age Discrimination in the Workplace

Age discrimination is when someone is prejudiced against another because of their age. According to the ADP Global Workforce View 2020 report, 17 per cent of workers in Singapore has experienced age discrimination in the workplace. With the regional average at 12 per cent, Singapore workplaces have one of the highest incidences of age discrimination.

Singapore's Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) protects workers from age discrimination and other biases in the workplace. The requirements in the FCF ensure that employees in Singapore have fair job opportunities. The FCF covers everything from job advertisements to actual hiring. Employers who do not comply may have their work pass privileges suspended.

Age discrimination in the workplace

Older and younger workers feel the brunt of ageism the most. Stereotyping is the most common reason for workplace age discrimination.

"There is a stereotype that ageing people have declining cognitive capability and memory,'' said Patrick L. Benaroche, vice chair of the Industrial Relations Law Committee of the International Bar Association or IBA. "There seems to be both explicit and implicit bias against ageing people. The feeling that discrimination against older workers is just natural is a widespread phenomenon. People do not believe that this bias is unjust" he added.

Reverse ageism, on the other hand, happens when younger candidates are devalued because of their perceived lack of experience or immaturity.

How to Overcome Ageism

Age discrimination is prevalent in the workplace, but you can overcome it with these tips:

No. 1: Revamp Your Resume

Check your MyJobStreet Profile and update it with the following tips.

Review Your Email Address

Sign up for Gmail and opt for a direct username. After all, it is your first point of contact, so make sure to present yourself well. Getting rid of an email address that's dated or too cutesy is one way to manage perceptions. .

Focus on the Last 10-15 Years

Take a closer look at your resume. If it's more than 2 pages, decide if the work you did more than 15 years ago is relevant to the role you are applying to. Keep your employment information concise and include the roles you took on more recently. If you're switching careers, a good practice is to keep your information relevant to the job for which you are applying.

Omit Graduation Dates

Since you have edited out a part of your employment history, the gap between your first job and your graduation date will be glaring. To be consistent with the information on your resume, you can leave out your graduation date.

Consider A New Design

Your resume is a personal marketing tool, so make it visually pleasing. Here are some free resume templates that you can use to give your resume a make-over. Draft a design, review it, and revise until you get the look you like. Make sure to highlight your achievements while still making the information nice to look at and easy to read.

No. 2: Demonstrate Your Adaptability

Indicate Technical Competencies

List up-to-date certifications you have to show your potential employer that you are a lifelong learner. It would work to your advantage to list technical courses as well as other self-paced courses you may have completed.

Write Down Courses You Have Taken

Whether it is Advanced Excel, Basics of HTML5 & CSS3, or Digitalising Illustrations, put it on your resume. Pursuing, developing, and updating your skills show adaptability, flexibility, and a commitment to improving your professional life.

Highlight Industry Knowledge

Share trends relevant to the industry that you are involved in. This is one way to highlight the breadth of your field experience while rendering age irrelevant. Whether the company you are applying to is in the same field or not, keeping abreast of trends shows interest and engagement with your work.

Add Online Courses You Have Taken

Check potential jobs and see if they are looking for skills that are unfamiliar to you. This could be a sign that you need to upskill. Many online courses are available online to help you broaden your skillset and learn at your own pace. Some are even offered for free.

If you are interested in digital marketing or want to become more adept in it, there are online digital marketing courses that you can take.

No. 3: Build Your Network Creatively

Offer to Be A Resource Speaker

Take networking beyond collecting names and trading business cards. Instead, you should actively reconnect with former colleagues, join relevant social and professional groups, or offer to speak about a topic on which you are an expert. Fill your network with people from different age groups and backgrounds. This way, you are creating an ideal place for yourself to get exposure and, who knows, possible job leads.

Be A Mentor

Whether you are a veteran employee or not, you must be an expert at something. Look for opportunities to share your knowledge and be a mentor. Perhaps you could teach less seasoned colleagues presentation skills or time management? Or, offer to help older coworkers spruce up their social media presence or introduce them to nifty websites like Canva.

Do Consulting Work

Your experience is a big plus for people around you, so capitalise on it. Show that you can be the resident consultant in your team and share what you know about an area with which others are struggling. If you are not in a conventional office set-up, either working as a freelancer or a project-based worker, you can offer your expertise to a friend or a member of your family.

No. 4: Embrace Social Media

Check Out Relevant Digital Channels

You can get information from any company website, but reading their tweets and posts can give you a better sense of their culture and vibe. Being able to track a hirer's social media account will show you more current knowledge about them. This knowledge will come in handy should your application progress to a job interview.

You might also be able to spot any biases if any, better on social media.

Be a Guest Blogger

Another way you can utilise social media is by offering to be a guest blogger. Guest blogging is like being a resource speaker, except that it's online. Being a guest blogger will help establish your expertise in a particular subject. You can also show off your social media savvy, your ability to come up with content ideas, and your adaptability to the times. You are also making your social media presence more diverse and interesting.

No. 5: Go After Job Opportunities Wisely

Choose the Right Jobs

Do not apply for job openings for which you are overqualified. Go after the opportunities that can benefit from the level of expertise you offer. Calculate if the number of years in the field will be too much or too little for the work. Instances of age discrimination in the workplace happen when your experience does not align with the requirement.

Target The Right Companies

Some industries value years of experience, while others prefer a younger workforce. Do your research and check the age range of the people in these industries. For example, more traditional industries like healthcare or finance may favour employees who have more work experience. On the other hand, tech start-ups or trendy retail companies may be more inclined towards a younger age group. A simple company check will help you get information on a company's team.

Display Accomplishments

Another strategy for counteracting age discrimination in the workplace is to match your accomplishments with the job description. Companies will want to know what you can bring to the table. Use every opportunity to highlight your inevitable contributions.

The issue of age discrimination affects all ages. It is also an issue that is not confined to the workplace. In fact, the United Nations has identified ageism as a global challenge, one that costs economies billions.

As we look for jobs and find ways to overcome age discrimination in the workplace, know that every step you take, no matter how little, will help combat ageism.

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