A 58-year-old job seeker recently conducted an experiment that has sparked conversation across the HR and job-seeking communities. He submitted two versions of his resume to the same positions—one with his graduation dates and early career history visible, and another with those age-revealing details removed. The results? Startling.
The Experiment
The candidate applied to multiple positions using both versions of his resume. The version showing his full career history—including his graduation dates from the 1980s—received significantly fewer callbacks. The anonymized version, which simply showed recent experience without dates that would reveal his age, generated considerably more interest from recruiters.
The Interview & Job Offer
When the candidate landed an interview (using the version with more information), something interesting happened. He was offered the position. But here's where the story takes an unexpected turn.
The Disturbing Discovery
After being hired, the new employee made a disturbing discovery about the company's hiring process. The company's Applicant Tracking System (ATS) was scoring candidates on something called "age risk"—an algorithmic assessment that factored in graduation dates and years of experience as potential indicators of... well, age.
This raises serious questions about how AI and ATS software is being used (or misused) in modern hiring.
What This Means for Job Seekers
For job seekers—especially those over 50—this experiment highlights a uncomfortable reality in today's job market. While age discrimination is technically illegal, the widespread use of algorithmic screening tools can create new forms of bias that are harder to detect and prove.
Questions for HR Professionals
This story raises important questions for those in talent acquisition:
- Are your ATS settings inadvertently filtering out qualified candidates based on age indicators?
- How transparent are you about the role of AI in your hiring decisions?
- What safeguards do you have in place to prevent algorithmic bias?
Listen to the Full Episode
Tune in to the latest episode of The Jim Stroud Podcast, "A Tale of Two Resumes," to hear the full story and Jim's insights on navigating age discrimination in today's job market.
Have you experienced age discrimination in your job search? Share your thoughts with us.
