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How to Get a Job After Age 50
How to re-enter the job market after age 50: what the law says about age discrimination, and a step-by-step for updating your résumé, using Sine, and presenting yourself in the interview.
By Bruno Campos de Oliveira · Published · 4 min read
After age 50, it is possible to find a new job, and the law prohibits age discrimination in access to employment. Lei 9.029/1995 (Law 9,029/1995) prohibits discriminatory practices based on age at hiring, and the Estatuto da Pessoa Idosa (Statute of Older Persons), for those aged 60 or over, prohibits setting a maximum age limit for hiring. The most effective path usually combines an updated résumé, a network of contacts, and registration with Sine.
What the law says
- Lei 9.029/1995, art. 1: prohibits discriminatory and limiting practices regarding access to or continuation of an employment relationship on grounds of sex, origin, race, color, marital status, disability, and age, among others.
- Estatuto da Pessoa Idosa (Lei 10.741/2003), art. 26: guarantees older persons the right to engage in professional activity, respecting their physical, intellectual, and mental conditions.
- Art. 27 of the Statute: in hiring an older person for any job or position, discrimination and setting a maximum age limit are prohibited, unless the nature of the position requires it.
The Statute covers people aged 60 or over. For those between 50 and 59, the general protection against age discrimination in Lei 9.029/1995 and the Constituição Federal (Federal Constitution) applies.
How to find a new job: step by step
- Update your résumé. Highlight results and achievements from recent years; you don't need to list every job since the start of your career. See Résumé: how to write one, what to include, and what to avoid.
- Show that you are up to date. Mention courses, certificates, and digital tools you use. If needed, look for free training to strengthen areas where you feel less confident.
- Take care of your professional presence. Build a focused profile on professional networks. See LinkedIn: how to build your profile and find jobs.
- Register with Sine. The Portal Emprega Brasil and the Carteira de Trabalho Digital (Digital Work Card) app offer free registration and job openings with a gov.br account. See the guide to Sine (Sistema Nacional de Emprego, National Employment System).
- Activate your network. Let former colleagues, past managers, and acquaintances know you are looking for a new job. Referrals can open doors.
- Consider other formats. Temporary work, projects, and consulting can serve as a bridge, but check the type of contract. See Pejotização: when a PJ contractor has an employment relationship.
How to present yourself
Highlight your experience, reliability, and ability to teach and solve problems, while also showing a willingness to learn and to use technology. Avoid criticizing former employers and comparisons with "how things used to be." In the interview, answer with recent examples. See Job interview: common questions and how to answer them.
If you feel age discrimination
Keep job postings that set an age limit, messages and emails, the names of those involved in the selection, and dates. These records help prove the facts. If there is a dismissal for a discriminatory act, art. 4 of Lei 9.029/1995 allows, in addition to compensation for moral damages, a choice between reinstatement with reimbursement of the period of absence or receiving double the pay for that period. See also Discriminatory dismissal: when a firing is illegal and how to report it to the Ministry of Labor or the MPT. Each case depends on the evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Can a company advertise a job with a maximum age limit?
As a rule, no. Lei 9.029/1995 prohibits discriminatory practices based on age in access to employment, and the Estatuto da Pessoa Idosa prohibits a maximum age limit in hiring, unless the nature of the position requires it.
Do I need to put my age on my résumé?
It is not mandatory. Include only what is useful for the job.
Do people who find a new job after 50 have the same labor rights?
Yes. CLT rights apply to all employees, regardless of age.
Read also
Official sources consulted
- Câmara dos Deputados — Lei 9.029/1995
- Câmara dos Deputados — Lei 10.741/2003 (Estatuto da Pessoa Idosa)
- TRT-11 — Labor Courts combat age discrimination in the job market
- gov.br — Find a job through the Sistema Nacional de Emprego (Sine)
Informational content, updated in November 2026. It does not replace an individual analysis of your case.
Informational content produced by the Human Case editorial team based on official public sources. Does not replace individual advice.
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