Experience is an asset, but a long CV can hide it. A focused CV shows employers what you can do now and keeps attention on your skills rather than your age.
Focus on the last 10 to 15 years
Describe your recent jobs in full. Group older roles under a short heading such as “Earlier experience”, with the job title and company only.
Show current skills
- List the software and systems you use today.
- Add recent courses or certificates, including short online courses.
- Include a LinkedIn profile that matches your CV.
Leave out what is not needed
You do not need your date of birth, ID number or the year you finished school. In South Africa the Employment Equity Act prohibits unfair discrimination on grounds that include age, but it is still sensible not to volunteer details the employer does not need.
Builder tip: keep your CV to two pages. Use the profile at the top to say what you offer and the kind of role you want.
Avoid: listing every job since you started work, old technology that is no longer used, and phrases such as “30 years of experience” that count your age for the reader.