In this period of a recession, age discrimination complaints increased by 33% according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Older workers are finding it more difficult to be hiredor keeping jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that it takes an average of 44.5 weeks for workers between the ages of 55 and 64 to find a new job compared 35.1 weeks for the population as a whole.
Trying to overcome age bias hurdles, older workers may edit their resumes down to mask their age and experience when they apply for jobs below their level. While this tactic may get older workers an interview, interviewing with a much younger employer may put a halt to getting the jobs. Younger managers can be intimidated by older workers with more experience and may feel they have difficulty in supervising older workers.
Additional information on this issue can be found here.