It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of age. However, those candidates who are older may still have to deal with preconceptions and misconceptions about age that may hinder the job search and make competing with a younger candidate more difficult. Here are some things you can do to improve your chances of being selected.

• Avoid all references to age and dates in your resume. There’s no reason to indicate the date of your college graduation, instead, highlight your degree and academic standing. Under “employment,” focus on increasing responsibilities and skill gains, rather than years worked.

• If you look dated, spiff up your professional image by investing in a few new pieces to update your career wardrobe. Talk to your stylist about a more flattering hair do, or even consider touching up the gray if it makes you look better.

• Emphasize the experience you bring to the table. Show that your years on the job make you more valuable and that you could hit the ground running, with virtually no learning curve.

• In your resume or during an interview, bring out the fact that you have been successful in the past working with multigenerational work-teams. Show the employer that you get along well with people of all ages. Make sure that this enthusiasm comes across as you interact with younger people at the interview site.

• Pinpoint experiences you have dealing with a wide-range of individuals. If you served as a Scout leader, volunteered at a community center, or are regularly invited by the business teacher at the local high school to talk with students entering the administrative profession, add this to your credentials.

• Take some timely courses, get top grades, and add them to your resume. Good courses might be web design, project management, desktop publishing, or e-commerce. But do show that you are keeping up with changing times.

• Portray a history of lifelong learning. Show that you have a career development plan in place and have identified skills you will need for the future.

• If you have experience training others, especially on updating computer skills, list it.

• Read up on X Generation and beyond to understand them. Identify the traits and values from these age groups that you admire, then be able to tell an employer what you have learned from them and how you also demonstrate some of these traits.

• Focus on results and achievements. Don’t rely on titles or tenure. Find out what is important to the prospective employer, then show that you have it to offer. Let them know that employability (and promotability) are not related to age, but to drive, experience, education, etc.

• Don’t behave in any stereotypic ways that could turn the prospective employer off. Don’t criticize younger people, don’t appear to be slow or hesitant, don’t talk about retirement, grandchildren, or hobbies from your leisure time, don’t be fussy. Be adaptable and show that you can easily fit in with the other workers… even if it means dressing casual, occasionally telecommuting, or taking direction from a boss who is much younger.

• Demonstrate your zest for life and work in your examples and how you express yourself. Let the employer see that you are a team player and willing to learn new things. Present yourself in a positive way and let your talents shine.

Age doesn’t have to be a barrier. Let it be your key to success.