Nothing New (Score 2)

Ageism has been a thing for decades. This just confirms that it still exists, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. For those affected by it, use the info to your advantage. Most of this is probably common sense for somebody well into their career:

- Senior level tech workers should have a much larger network to draw from when it comes time that they need to try to find another job.
- Keep those skills updated (never sleep on that one) Continued education is the foundation of a well-prepared, agile tech worker.
- Highlight your experience. Focus on those complex problems you solved, or helped to solve, in your resume and cover letter.
- Display the ability to adapt and overcome to new challenges through the continuing education and skill-ups mentioned earlier.
- Emphasize the value of being a mentor to less experienced and/or younger team members.
- Research companies that display age diversity, and target those when job hunting.
- Prepare for age-related stereotypes and objections. i.e.: Recruiter: “I can’t imagine you have a lot of long term career goals, so we won’t bother discussing that topic.” You (resisting the urge to say ‘@$#! you!’): “I’ve always had a long-term commitment to my professional development. Tech is in my blood, and nothing will ever change that. I’m sure you can see that once you go over my continued education and increasing skill set throughout my career.”

Now, I’ll go back to lurking for the next 15 years.