Middle-aged job hunters are up to three times LESS likely to get an interview

Middle-aged job seekers are up to three times less likely to get a job interview than a younger person applying for the same position, a new study has shown.

A younger person is also likely to be paid more money – around 13 per cent more than their older rival – despite having up to a decade less experience.  

Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University and Cyprus found the age-based discrimination is also compounded by prejudice against ethnic minorities. 

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Middle-aged job seekers are up to three times less likely to get a job interview than a younger person applying for the same position, a new study has shown. A younger person is also likely to be paid more money – around 13 per cent more than their older rival (stock image)

It found a 28-year-old white man is twice as likely to be interviewed for a job than a 50-year-old white woman and three times more than a 50-year-old black woman.

According to the researchers, the results indicate ingrained discrimination in the jobs market, which requires policies for fairer assessments.  

In the latest study, researchers sent in applications in for real jobs in England, applying as fictional applications that differed only in age, gender and ethnic minority.

Apart from experience, gender and ethnic minority, the latter two of which were written in the applications, all educational and hobbies information were kept the same.

Researchers found significant levels of discrimination in responses from 811 employers in the services and sales industries in England. 

This was evident for gender, ethnicity and age – as well as various combinations of all of them.

Applications were made from a fictional young white male applicant of 28-years of age, as well as white and black people of both sexes who all had 31 years of relevant work experience.

Researchers found that applications from the white man were 1.8 times higher when compared to 50-year-old white men and 2.6 times better when compared to a 50-year-old black man.

The results were presented at the British Sociological Association’s annual conference in Glasgow where Dr Anna Paraskevopoulou of Anglia Ruskin University said: ‘Despite the growing participation of older workers in the labour market, many employers are prejudiced against older workers.

‘Older applicants might not receive invitations for an interview, or they might receive invitations to interview for lower-paid jobs.

‘The results of this study also showed that this ageism was worse for older black men and much worse for older black women. 

Researchers found the age-based discrimination is also compounded by prejudice against ethnic minorities. It found a 28-year-old white man is twice as likely to be interviewed for a job than a 50-year-old white woman and three times more than a 50-year-old black woman (stock)

The study also found discrepancies in the earning powers of the different applicants.

The young white men who were accepted for jobs after interview were paid around £19,863 ($25,610), which is 13 per cent higher than the 50-year-old men, who earned £17,552 ($22,641) after interview.

The 50-year-old women were paid £2,454 ($3,164) less per year than the white men, a significant 14 per cent difference.

Wages of the 50-year-old black men were £2,572 ($3,318) less than the young white men, while a 50-year-old black woman suffered with a £2,937 ($3,788) discrepeency than her younger, Caucasian competitor.  

Dr Paraskevopoulou added: ‘These results originate from stereotypical beliefs that the physical strengths and job performance decline with age, and earlier among women than men. 

‘They are also in line with general and persistent racial prejudices.

‘This study shows how much work is still needed to address age bias in the labour market.

‘The existence of age, gender and racial bias in the workplace could have serious consequences for society as a whole and the individuals affected.’