Worried about how to avoid the age questions that may come up? Try the following 3 things!

1- Re-state the question. If they ask for your high-school or college graduation dates simply say, “I went to the University of...., and it was a very successful time for me because..." and then immediately mention something you accomplished there. You could say for example, "I had a 3.8 GPA" or a club you belonged to or lead for example. You don't have to answer that question with dates specifically.

2- For online applications, try giving vague dates. While some online applications cannot be submitted unless all fields are completed, you might be able to generalize the info to a decade. If not, you might contact the company's HR department to point out the issue; it's contrary to [fair-hiring laws] (https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/practices/), and it might be a part of the online application process that HR is completely unaware of. If they ask for your photo ID and/or your SS number before you are hired, you could express your concerns with identity theft. These are not items that need to be provided until you are hired (typically used for background checks).

3- Be aware of questions that could lead you to reveal your age. These questions could be as innocent as, "Are you over the age of 18?" and, "What are your long-term career goals?" Be cautious about what the interviewer is really asking. An interviewer might leave a bit of silence after you answer; it doesn't mean you need to fill that silence with more detail. Make sure to stay focused and on track and don't offer more than is necessary.

Be sure to showcase your skills in person during the interview as well as on your resume. Remember, a good company will see past your age and not view it as an obstacle. You are just as valuable as a younger candidate. Now get em!