Older Americans—those over 45—have been hit especially hard by the recession. They make up 32 percent of the unemployed, and they constitute a whopping 38 percent of those who are out of work for 27 weeks or longer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In a world where older people are still discriminated against when it comes to hiring, how can you make sure the “you” that employers encounter first is accurate and professional representation of your best self? Here’s what you need to know.

1. Age discrimination is real, but it’s hard to prove. “A potential employer won’t tell you why you weren’t hired,” according to Laurie McCann, a senior attorney with the AARP Foundation Litigation. “You might have a hunch but no evidence.”
2. Finesse your resume persona. Do not include the year of your college graduation or other dates that will broadcast your age. Keep your resume short and focus on recent, relevant experience. For most industries, you should provide details for only your past 15 or 20 years of experience, according to Jason Hersh, managing partner of recruiting firm Klein Hersh International.
3. Email everything. There is no longer a reason to mail a hard copy of your resume. If you really want to mail it in, you should also email it, as a Word document or a PDF.
4. Take charge of your Internet image, too. If you don’t have Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts, consider setting them up to create a presence that you’d be proud to be seen by a prospective employer. If you use these sites for personal communication with friends and acquaintances, make sure not to post any photos you don’t want a prospective employer to see. Also, make sure any photos you do post, present you in a favorable way. The idea isn’t to dress like an 18-year-old but you do want to seem as up-to-date as you can.  
5. Don’t fudge any dates or make misleading statements. The idea is NOT to deceive, but to make employers realize you are up-to-date in your industry, that you’ll make a positive impression as a representative of their company, and that you’re a go-getter — all the things they want in any candidate but may assume they can only find in a young person.