In this chapter, we discuss a single case as it is a unique example from our corpus in which ageism plays a major role. This is due to two reasons. First, in this interview, the candidate invokes age-related categories in a way that is very different from what we have thus far observed. While we have seen that other candidates use age categories as a way to deal with the thorny issue of accounting for particular choices in their career path, this candidate initiates the topic of age entirely at her own initiative, even prior to the job interview (namely in her cover letter). We can thus assume that for her, this is part of her impression management, as she clearly gives age a place in her attempt to strategically construct a favorable professional identity for herself. Second, we study the discussion following the interview in which the recruiters evaluate the candidate and in which age plays an important role. In this way, this unique case thus offers us a fascinating window into the ways in which age-related categories may play a crucial role in a significant part of the recruitment process.

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A Candidate’s Strategic Use of Age Stereotyping and Its Outcome

  • Dorien Van De Mieroop,
  • Federica Previtali,
  • Melina De Dijn

摘要

In this chapter, we discuss a single case as it is a unique example from our corpus in which ageism plays a major role. This is due to two reasons. First, in this interview, the candidate invokes age-related categories in a way that is very different from what we have thus far observed. While we have seen that other candidates use age categories as a way to deal with the thorny issue of accounting for particular choices in their career path, this candidate initiates the topic of age entirely at her own initiative, even prior to the job interview (namely in her cover letter). We can thus assume that for her, this is part of her impression management, as she clearly gives age a place in her attempt to strategically construct a favorable professional identity for herself. Second, we study the discussion following the interview in which the recruiters evaluate the candidate and in which age plays an important role. In this way, this unique case thus offers us a fascinating window into the ways in which age-related categories may play a crucial role in a significant part of the recruitment process.