Re: Resume recommendations for older writers?

[Gene Kim-Eng <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>]

On the subject of bias and how to avoid it...

You can't.

Bias, whether based on age, race, gender, religion, sexual 
orientation/identity, etc., is baked into individuals and companies. 
Even if you manage to conceal your characteristics in your resume or in 
a phone interview, sooner or later you will find yourself face to face 
with the person or persons who will make the hiring decision, and if 
they are biased against you, nothing you say or do in an interview is 
ever going to change that. It stinks, but that's life.

I wear who and what I am on my sleeve. I'd rather not waste a lot of 
time getting to the point where someone roundfiles me because he or she 
thinks I'm too old, too non-white or too whatever. If it's going to 
happen, the earlier in the process, the better.

So as far as the resume is concerned, list whatever it is you've been 
doing for the past 10 years with an emphasis on any documentation at all 
you've produced, even if it's just writing up reports, then list your 
prior writing skills and functions rather than companies and products. 
And concentrate on applying to places that are more likely to be run by 
crotchety old geezers who aren't biased against some other 
characteristic of yours.

Gene Kim-Eng

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