AZE.US
Finding a new job in Azerbaijan is becoming increasingly difficult for people over the age of 35, even though the country’s retirement age has reached 65 for both men and women.
Many job advertisements still include explicit or indirect restrictions based on age, gender and appearance.
Phrases such as “aged 25 to 35,” “pleasant-looking female candidate” and “suitable for a young team” can exclude experienced applicants before their qualifications are considered.
Several job seekers said they had repeatedly applied for vacancies in Baku and the regions but received no response or were rejected because of their age.
“They do not hire people after 35. I applied several times, both in the district and in the city, but they did not take me,” one woman said in a televised street interview.
Applicants say many employers prefer candidates no older than 30 or 35. In some cases, no age limit is mentioned in the advertisement, but it becomes a factor during the selection process.
Human resources manager Royal Ahmadov told Demokrat.az that discriminatory requirements remain visible in parts of Azerbaijan’s labor market. Vacancies may specify whether the employer wants a man or a woman, set a narrow age range or include demands related to physical appearance.
Certain requirements may be linked to the nature of the work. Employers in construction, heavy industry and physically demanding jobs may prefer male candidates, while women are often sought for positions such as office manager, executive assistant or receptionist.
However, Ahmadov said references to attractive appearance or a “young team” can create a clear impression of discrimination and damage a company’s reputation.
Economist Kamran Hajiyev said there is a serious gap between the official retirement age and the age at which employers are willing to recruit workers.
A person who loses a job after the age of 40 or 50 may face sharply reduced chances of finding another position, while still having 15 to 25 years left before becoming eligible for a pension.
This can leave middle-aged workers without a stable income, weaken the financial position of their families and increase pressure on the social protection system.
Candidates between the ages of 25 and 40 are generally seen as the most attractive to employers. They are expected to have some professional experience while remaining adaptable to new technologies, workplace culture and changing business processes.
This approach is particularly common in banking, sales, tourism, customer service, administrative support and jobs involving digital systems.
Employers often view a lack of experience as the main weakness of candidates under 25. For applicants over 45, concerns tend to focus on adaptability, technology skills and salary expectations.
Azerbaijan’s labor legislation generally prohibits unjustified age discrimination. When the nature of a position does not require a specific age limit, rejecting an applicant solely because of age is not considered appropriate employment practice.
Experts say employers should assess candidates primarily on their qualifications, experience and ability to perform the job, rather than their age, gender or appearance.
AZE.US