Age before beauty?

The expert panel
Our expert panel comprises representatives from the Hotel and Catering Training Company (HCTC), Accor Hotels UK & Ireland, Greene King Pub Company, MaydayExec, Bartlett Mitchell, Learnpurple, Conran, and Portfolio International.

The question I've sold my business and applied for several jobs I'm experienced and qualified for. However, I'm concerned that my age, 52, could go against me. Should I miss my date of birth off my CV and send a photo instead?

Unfounded prejudice against people based on age is a growing problem in the UK. There's been much discussion about this and, based on the evidence in the media, leaving your date of birth off your CV seems the best action to take at the moment.

Emphasise all your unique selling points to secure an interview. Once an employer has met you and realised you don't match their misconception of a 52-year-old, your age shouldn't matter. It's probably the most irrelevant of all the information you give anyway, as it has little or no bearing on who you are and what you're capable of. In the UK you're not expected to send a photograph unless it's asked for.
Johnny Johnson, communications director, HCTC
Employers should be recruiting against the criteria they actually require for the role in question.

So other than in special circumstances (for example, employing a female changing room attendant), age, sex, marital status, ethnic background, religion or sexual orientation should be irrelevant to the recruitment and selection process. On this basis I'd advise you to leave your age off your CV. I'm really not in favour of submitting photos - far better to secure an interview and then wow them with your personality face to face! It's obviously your call, though.
Jane Sunley, managing director, Learnpurple
If you'd like to submit a question, send it to chris.druce@rbi.co.uk.