It is now against the law to discriminate against employees on the grounds of their age.  The graduate market is changing rapidly, so it is vital that mature students market themselves effectively, and 'sell' the benefits of their experience and life skills to any future employer.

 

Areas to focus on include:

• Experience and skills gained from previous employment

• Skills and experiences gained from life experiences such as family life, juggling studies and a career etc.

• The stability of being a mature employee and the fact that you are more willing to stay with a job role rather than moving on after a year or two.

 

Always try to accentuate the positives, particularly in relation to your reasons for changing your career and entering higher education at a more mature stage in your life.

 

Useful Resources

 

• Age Positive Jobs: help with job search.

• Age and Employment Network: ensuring better opportunities for mature people.

• Employers Forum on Age: independent network of employers who recognise the need to attract  valuable employees whatever their age.

• Equality and Human Rights Commission

• Prospects: information on handling age discrimination in the workplace.