should I leave out the dates of my education on my CV so people cannot guess my age?

Question

Now that we have new age discrimination laws, I have been told not to put my age on my CV. But people can guess age from the years I went to school - so should I leave these off?

Answer 1

Any good employer would want to know your age as a means of assessing your experience not only of the work you are expected to carry out but of life in general.
This helps them to see if you would fit in with the existing staff.
Your capability for the job will be dealt with at an interview and as age should not come into it you should be given an honest assessment.
A word of advice is to do some research on the company before the interview. Such things as what they actually make or do. For example a company making a widget and well known for them, might also be making some other product which is lessor known but a good selling item.
Talk to other employees if you can and ask them about the company. I did this by standing outside of one a packing up time.
Then when the inevitable question comes,"What do you know about the company"? You can give a much bolder and informed answer.
On your CV make the best of everything you have ever done such as part time jobs, even a paper round is a plus point. List your hobbies and such things as clubbing and meeting at the pub will do you no favours.
Don't talk in Jargon keep things simple.
Finally, ensure that your spelling and English is correct as nothing irritates an interviewer more than a badly written CV. Get it checked over by a competent friend.

Answer 2

The law change means you dont have to tell them your age and associated material on your application can be left off ( dates) if they will disadvatage you.

However the employer is perfectly within their rights to check that the qualifications you have are real and can ask to see copies of the actual certifciates or request with your approval evidence that you attended the education establisments when you claimed and attained the passes that you say.

So net net is no point hiding it.

Answer 3

If you leave off the dates that will look suspicious, as if you have something to hide, or else it will look like you just have an incomplete CV, and couldn't be bothered to look up the dates eg. It will look worse on you than if you put the dates there and they work out your approx age. I wouldn't put my date of birth, but like you say they can work it out from other dates, but they'll work it out at interview anyway!

Answer 4

Education Dates on you CV are ESSENTIAL. Application Forms ALWAYS ask for dates, so why should CVs be different

Answer 5

Usually you are required to include your age anyway, and a couple of the interviewers ive met have asked me how old i am even though its on my cv. Your age isnt a bad thing! The younger you are the more they can teach you their ways, and the older you are the more experience, maturity and wisdom youll have!! Good luck!!

Answer 6

You need to put on your date of birth. Some employers have to have it by law eg. teaching. I don't hide my age, and I haven't been discriminated against.

Answer 7

A cv without dates is incomplete. say it all

Answer 8

ARE YOU REALLY OLD?.... do you want them to know- i personally have no opinion as to what you want others to know about yourself- unless of course it might effect how much you get paid- or the referral you could later receive- those would depend on what it is youre doing- and if age would help or hurt you, etc....

Answer 9

well I would put on my age.. so when i dont get the job i can say "you picking on me cos i be old innit" and sue them for discrimination..

Answer 10

No, why should you. I think that you will be putting your DOB on CV. So wats the use.