Age bias is real, says Work Avenue, a leading employment and business support organisation for the community.
According to recent data, 81 per cent of workers over the age of 50 feel that their chances of getting a job are lower.
This can, in turn, have a profound impact on a person’s self-esteem, confidence and mental health – as well as the ability to earn a living and support a family.
While nobody can control the existence of age bias, what we can control is how we respond to it. So whether you are looking for a new job later in life, seeking a long-awaited promotion or wanting a complete career change, here are ten top tips from Work Avenue’s experts to turn age to your advantage and build a healthier, more confident future at work.
1. Reframe the narrative
Don’t hide your age; reframe it. Focus on your ‘commercial strengths’ – the skills that companies need, especially in these uncertain times. Remember that you have ‘been there and done it’, which makes you a lower-risk hire than someone starting from scratch. Older workers also often boast higher retention rates because they value stability and clarity.
2. Separate fact from fiction
Don’t let the ageist assumptions of others define you. Older people are often wrongly portrayed as struggling with technology or not being interested in learning anything new. But a willingness to learn is a matter of mindset, not of age. Remind employers that experience brings adaptability and the perspective needed to solve problems and embrace new methods.
3. Use the employability equation
Remember the hiring reality – age alone doesn’t get you the job. Skills + relevance + readiness = employability. Can you do the job? Are your skills current? Are you motivated and reliable right now? If you can prove all three, your age becomes a secondary factor.
4. Be an experience translator
Experience has value only if you translate it into CV-worthy skills. Don’t list just paid work, but also the experience you have gained in voluntary roles or personal projects. For example, if you managed charity registrations, that translates to professional “administration and attention to detail”.
5. Tell a Star story
The STAR method – Situation, Task, Action, Results – helps turn your experience into clear, interview-ready examples. It allows you to show impact rather than just describe roles, making your achievements more compelling and relevant.
6. Address career gaps but don’t apologise for them
Taking time away from work is not a weakness. Whether to raise a family, care for a parent or just have a break, what matters is how you frame it. Keep it simple: explain the time out, highlight how you stayed active or updated your skills, and focus on your readiness now. Avoid over-explaining or focusing on loss.
7. Stay current
Training should be lifelong. Many of Work Avenue’s older clients are highly motivated to learn when they see the benefit. Updating digital skills, attending workshops or volunteering can all help keep experience relevant and confidence strong.
8. Take care of your mental health
A healthier future is not only about employment, but also about mental health and self-esteem. Looking for work later in life can feel uncertain, so maintaining structure, support networks and purpose is important. Small steps, rather than pressure for immediate change, are key to progress.
9. Emphasise your professional maturity
Employers value the ability to manage emotions, handle pressure and follow through on tasks without constant supervision. Your potential in later life often lies in being the steady, reliable presence that helps a team stay focused and acts as a guide for younger colleagues.
10. Speak to Work Avenue
Work Avenue helps thousands of people each year – of all ages and backgrounds – to find work, change careers and start or grow a business. Its free services include one-to-one sessions with expert advisers, as well as regular workshops, events and networking opportunities. It also has a recruitment service, freelance agency and training programme, so whatever your needs, it is there to support.
To find out more about Work Avenue, go to theworkavenue