Should I Put Dates of Graduation on My Resume?

by Alan
(Aurora, IL)

I'm 43 years-old, and I wonder if I'm doing myself an injustice by putting my high school & college graduation dates on my resume. Should I include them and be complete, or will not including them make it appear I'm trying to hide my age?

ANSWER: Alan, You've nailed the dilemma right there on the head. Legally, employers aren't allowed to discriminate based on age, but of course, some do. It sounds like a good idea to leave the dates off, but you're right... people who opt to do so usually choose that path precisely because they ARE older. So, I'm not sure you gain anything by doing that.

In the end, would you really want to work for an employer who judges candidates based on age, rather than on their merits?

Do I have to show the year I graduated from college on my resume?

by Jill
(Boston, MA)

Do I need to show the year that I graduated on my resume?

ANSWER: I think by eliminating the year you graduated you're actually calling more attention to your age. I'd say just include it and let the chips fall where they may. Your job is to show them how all your years of wisdom and experience will actually benefit them!

To your success,
Kathi