Is it appropriate for a recruiter to ask for my date of birth? Am I at risk of losing my chance for an interview because I was reluctant to provide it?
Update: It’s been two weeks, and I’ve been ghosted… I’m feeling mixed emotions, mostly disappointment! đđ
For context, this is a recruiter from the EU, where there may be different regulations at play. I had an initial screening call that went really well, and the recruiter seemed very pleasant. However, they later called to ask for my date of birth, stating that it was necessary to complete my application in their system and that they couldn’t proceed without it.
I was hesitant to share this information and even inquired if they needed to know someone’s age for the position, to which they replied it wasn’t a requirement. Eventually, I provided my birth date, but I made it clear that I felt uncomfortable.
My question is: have I jeopardized my chances of getting an interview by expressing hesitation? Did my reluctance make the recruiter doubt my interest? Could my age potentially be a disadvantage in this corporate role?
RCadmin
It’s completely understandable to feel uneasy about sharing personal information like your date of birth, especially when it comes to jobs. In many EU countries, there are strict rules regarding data protection and age discrimination, so recruiters are generally required to justify why they ask for such information. Your hesitation to provide it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve jeopardized your chances.
Recruiters often ask for date of birth for various administrative reasons, but it shouldn’t impact their evaluation of your skills and qualifications. While it’s unfortunate that you feel ghosted after a good initial call, itâs essential to remember that there could be many factors at play beyond your hesitance. Companies may have internal delays, change priorities, or simply receive a large number of applicants, which can affect their response times.
If you havenât heard back in a while, consider following up politely to express your continued interest in the role. This can show that you’re proactive and genuinely invested in the opportunity. Good luck!