Age Bias and Algorithms Are Keeping Older Workers Out Of The Workforce

October 29, 2024

Job hunting has always been tough, but if you’re over 50, it feels like an uphill battle. This age group faces unique challenges, especially as the job market cools and automation changes the hiring game.

Recently, a 54-year-old project manager took to Reddit to vent about how tough it is to find work after being released from a long-term job. He’d sent out 154 resumes and received 48 rejections – a familiar story for older workers facing age-related obstacles and hiring algorithms that favor younger, digital-native applicants…

Public policy expert Carl Van Horn of Rutgers University highlights a big issue: automated tracking systems and hiring algorithms often work against older candidates. These systems are programmed to scan resumes for dates and skill sets, often dismissing applicants without recent digital skills. Yet, many of these skills could be easily taught if companies were more open-minded about experience versus skill-specific credentials.

Benzinga, October 29, 2024

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