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Should I Put My Age on My Resume?

By the Gray Hair Jobs Editorial Team · Published · Facts checked against sources on · 2 min read

The short answer

No, you should not put your age or date of birth on your resume. Employers in the U.S. do not expect it. Other details, such as graduation dates or very old jobs, can also hint at age. Consider whether each detail is necessary for the role, and never give false information.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ by state and situation. For advice about your own case, contact the agency named here or a qualified employment lawyer.

Key points

  • U.S. resumes do not normally include age, birth date, or a photo.
  • Graduation dates and long job histories can signal age indirectly.
  • Leaving out unnecessary details is different from lying.
  • The ADEA protects workers 40 and older from age discrimination by employers with 20 or more employees.

Why not include your age?

A U.S. resume is a summary of your skills and experience. Personal details like age, birth date, marital status, and photos are not expected. Leaving them out is normal and keeps the focus on what you can do.

What else can signal age?

Some details point to age even without a birth date:

  • Graduation dates from decades ago
  • Job histories going back 30 or 40 years
  • Outdated tools or software listed as skills
  • An old-style email address, such as one from an internet provider few people use now

None of these are wrong to include. The question is whether they help you get this job.

How do you decide what to include?

  1. Read the job listing. Note what skills and experience it asks for.
  2. Keep what is relevant. Many experienced workers focus on the last 10 to 15 years.
  3. Consider whether dates are necessary. For degrees, listing the school and degree without the year is common. If a job requires a degree earned within a certain time, include the date.
  4. Summarize older work. An "Earlier Experience" line can mention past roles without full dates.
  5. Update your skills section with tools you use today.

Is leaving things out dishonest?

No. A resume is a selection of your most relevant information, not a full life history. But never give false dates or claim experience you do not have. If an employer asks directly on an application form, answer truthfully.

Employers may need your birth date later for things like background checks or benefits paperwork. That is normal after an offer.

What if you think age was held against you?

Age discrimination is illegal under the ADEA for employers with 20 or more employees, and some state laws cover smaller employers. Learn about your options on our age discrimination page and from the EEOC (opens in a new tab).

Where to go next

Frequently asked questions

Can an employer ask my age in an interview?

Asking is not automatically illegal under federal law, but the EEOC says such questions may be closely examined, because age generally cannot be used in hiring decisions for people 40 and older. You can politely steer back to your skills. If you believe you faced discrimination, the EEOC explains how to file a charge.

Should I remove my graduation year?

Consider whether it is necessary for the role. Many people list the degree and school without a year. If the job requires a recent credential or the application asks directly, include the date. Removing a year is not dishonest as long as everything you include is true.

Should I include a photo on my resume?

In the U.S., photos are generally not expected on resumes, and leaving one off is standard. Your LinkedIn profile is a better place for a clear, friendly, professional photo, since many recruiters will look there. A recent photo with good lighting and a plain background works well.

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Sources

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