career-limiting moves

[Crankin]

When I began my job search for my new career, last spring, I went to the university career services and had them check my resume. I am 57 and obviously, I didn't want anyone to know this. I simply left off the year I got my BA and my first MA and I only listed my experience since 1992. It looked like I had been a stay at home mom, who was maybe in her forties. I was very specific about my clinical experience in my 2 years of internship and semi specific about my last 2 teaching jobs. I did include, under "other experience," at the end, my experience as a group exercise instructor and as a ride leader.

The head of career services (who was about my age) told me it's not even so much how you look, but more the "energy" you give off when you meet an interviewer or someone reads your resume. She told me that I would have no issue in my field, as I gave off "active" energy and including my athletic stuff gave them a clue I was active, but also engaged in self care. I found a career that actually values age and experience; at my last internship, we had 70 year old therapists, as well as people right out of grad school, who were 25. Frankly, it doesn't hurt that I don't look my age, but I sure don't look 30. There are also a lot of people in my field who are techno phobes; while I am no tech wiz, it's clear I know how to use email!