The Age Advantage: Ten top tips to turn experience into employability for a healthier future.

At Work Avenue, as the community’s leading employment and business support organisation, we know that age bias is real.

According to recent data, 81% of workers over the age of 50 feel that their chances of getting a job are lower.

This can, in turn, have a profound impact on self-esteem, confidence and mental health – as well as the ability to earn a living and support a family.

While nobody can control the existence of age bias, what we can control is how we respond to it.

So whether you are looking for a new job later in life, seeking a long-awaited promotion or wanting a complete career change, here are 10 top tips from our expert to turn age to your advantage and build a healthier, more confident future at work.

1. Reframe the narrative: You don’t need to hide your age; you need to reframe it. Focus on your ‘commercial strengths’ – the skills that companies need, especially in these uncertain times. Remember that you have ‘been there and done it,’ which makes you a lower-risk hire than someone starting from scratch. Older workers also often boast higher retention rates because they value stability and clarity.

2. Separate fact from fiction: Don’t let the ageist assumptions of others define you. Fiction often says older people struggle with technology or aren’t interested in learning anything new. The fact is that a willingness to learn is a matter of mindset, not age. Remind employers that experience brings adaptability and the perspective needed to solve problems and embrace new methods.

3. Use the Employability Equation: Remember the hiring reality: age alone doesn’t get you the job. Employers look for a specific formula: Skills + Relevance + Readiness = Employability. Can you do the job? Are your skills current? Are you motivated and reliable right now? If you can prove all three, your age becomes a secondary factor.

4. Be an Experience Translator: Experience only has value if you translate it into CV-worthy skills. Don’t just list paid work, but also the experience you have gained in voluntary roles or personal projects. For example, if you managed charity registrations that translates to professional “administration and attention to detail”.

5. Tell a ‘STAR’ story: The STAR method – Situation, Task, Action, Results – helps turn your experience into clear, interview-ready examples. It allows you to show impact rather than just describe roles, making your achievements more compelling and relevant.

6. Address career gaps but don’t apologise for them: Taking time away from work is not a weakness. Whether to raise a family, care for a parent or just have a break, what matters is how you frame it. Keep it simple: explain the time out, highlight how you stayed active or updated your skills, and focus on your readiness now. Avoid over-explaining or focusing on loss.

7. Stay current: Training should be lifelong. Many of our older clients are highly motivated to learn when they see the benefit. Updating digital skills, attending workshops or volunteering can all help keep experience relevant and confidence strong.

8. Take care of your mental health: A healthier future is not only about employment, but also about mental health and self-esteem. Looking for work later in life can feel uncertain, so maintaining structure, support networks and purpose is important. Small steps, rather than pressure for immediate change, are key to progress.

9. Emphasise your professional maturity: Employers value the ability to manage emotions, handle pressure and follow through on tasks without constant supervision. Your potential in later life often lies in being the steady, reliable presence that helps a team stay focused and acts as a guide for younger colleagues.

10. Speak to us: At Work Avenue, we help thousands of people each year – of all ages and backgrounds – to find work, change careers and start or grow a business. Our free services include one-to-one sessions with our team of expert and experienced advisers, as well as regular workshops, events and networking opportunities. We also have a Recruitment Service, Freelance Agency and Training Programme – so whatever your needs, we are there to support.

* To find out more about Work Avenue, please visit www.theworkavenue.org.uk.