How do I prepare for a job interview where I'll be 23 years older than the interviewer, and he would be my boss?

Age discrimination exists.  That said, if you are not getting the job EVERY time, it becomes less and less likely that your physical age is the deciding factor in EVERY situation.    There are definitely some people that discriminate, but it's unlikely that EVERYONE does.  So it's likely that's not the only factor. So what might the other factors be?  There are a lot of possibilities.  While I know in your estimation your skills and experience make you very qualified for the jobs you interview for -- and certainly the fact you are getting in-person interviews suggest you look good on paper, and have made a good impression on the phone, which supports your contention -- let's not cross anything off the list, yet. For example, perhaps your skills and experience are excellent -- but in person you don't successfully communicate them.  Or when interviewers dig into the details, they learn that instead of leading key projects on your resume, you were a member of a much larger team (for example) and what they need is someone who has led those teams, not been an individual contributor. But let's not guess!  You can ask.  I explain in more detail, here:  http://taooftalent.blogspot.com/2012/10/why-didnt-you-get-that-job.html but in short:  Leave time during the second half of the interview to ask whether there are any doubts, concerns, unanswered questions, etc.  In a polite way you are already asking what might be a factor in you not getting the job (if you don't get it) or what makes you stand out as the best candidate (if you do).  Make it clear that you are setting your ego aside, and don't get defensive.  Acknowledge any gaps that are real, and explain away any gaps that don't really exist. This may not help you prepare for THIS interview, which I know is your question.  But this will help you prepare for the NEXT interview (in the unfortunate circumstance that you don't get this job).

The same way you prepare for any interview. Know a lot about the company you are applying to. Ask questions about the company. Have you tried saying anything like, "I know I am qualified for this job. I have the skills needed and I would be willing to take this position, even though I am probably over qualified. I don't plan on retirement any time soon so I plan to work for quite some time yet." Or something similar to that. Even though age discrimination is illegal, it exists. They just don't tell you it's because of your age. They tell you that someone is more qualified than you are or you are overqualified for this position. Or whatever they want to except that you are too old. I went back to work at age 54 when my husband died. I didn't work much while he was alive and we were together for 23 years before he died. I did not have many computer skills then so it was very, very hard to find clerical work. But I took some classes and taught myself some and now I am a Secretary at a school. But I did have to work in retail for 9 1/2 years before I was promoted to secretary from an Instructional Aide. Usually I had better luck with older interviewers. They have more empathy for us "oldsters", but you never know. This guy just might have a father or uncle who is older and has been bending his ear about how hard it is for older people to find work. Just do the best you can and hope you impress him. You can't do any better than your best. Thanks for the A2A. And good luck. I feel your pain.  Lol

I think most answers have covered the major points, so I'll throw in a few less known things: 1. Although age descrimination exists and can hurt you, you can use it to your favor. Sure, you're older than that other person and you may have fewer years left to work, but that doesn't mean that you don't know anything about the field. You have to stress your strengths over your weaknesses. Personally, I like to explain my weaknesses and how they aren't necessarily a weakness under the proper conditions. For example, I may not have much experience in an area but I'm willing to learn and am passionate about working on certain areas. Usually, it's more important that you're passionate about something than being just skilled at it. Always be attentive to details and follow up. It shows initiative and the willingness to take things a step further. If companies are willing to interview you, it means that they probably aren't taking your age into consideration at first; maybe after the first round they realize that some younger guys/girls are more adept and skilled. It depends, but I doubt that it's solely because you're older than most. If anything, it has to do with experience relative to age. Thanks for the A2A.

Thanks for the A2A. Aside from the obvious job interview questions where I assume your skills are not in question, I see 2 issues they might care about : A. Can you work underneath someone much younger than you? It's a difficult question because traditionally, it's the other way around. You'll probably find yourself in a team of young ones and you need to reassure them that you're willing to work with younger people you're going to step up in the team to provide seniority you're not going to question someone's authority because of their age B. How can you evolve with them ? Another difficult question, because probably the next job is the interviewer's one, and he WILL feel threatened. You will need to reassure your interviewer that you're not after his job, or at least you're not going to push him out & expect it out of seniority there's a path for you in the company (eg : you want to be the expert and help everyone to be on board) Closing remarks Think about adjuvants in the army. They're probably older than their officer. Despite this, they obey to their officer as they should, they provide a vital role in the force by showing leadership in another way. Use them as inspiration

There's not much I can really add to what others have said. Make sure you stay positive and energetic when interacting with the interviewer, for in person interviews make sure your clothes don't make you look even older than you are, and try not to think about how common age discrimination is.

Thanks for A2A. The 3 answers here from: , and says it all and complement each other. I am going through exactly what you are, and I totally understand. A few weeks ago I had an interview with an HR assistant, and I could tell from the beginning she was following a script given by her management (who probably would interview the 5 or 3 that this little girl was screening). It was hard for me during the interview not to show that I had noticed she already had discarded me; so right I was that 3 days later I got one of those thanking e-mails… And I know this could happen for a number of reasons – they don’t like your hair, your voice, you are too tall-short (in this case above, I know it was my age, because she asked a couple of questions on that regarding…), it is amazing… What am I doing to overcome this? I am doing just like it has been said in one of the other answers, I keep it positive; in my mind I know that my profile – my experience – my academic preparation, etc. will fit not just some company, but the right company that is looking for someone with my credentials. I believe it is about being patient, and don’t give up…