I have been wondering the same. Depending on the job posting and how the company looks online, I have selectively left off lots of experience and simply said "10+ years of experience"

My beard started graying at 31. Maybe it was just the stress of 2020… and 2008…

No didn't mean to imply that, but tech companies are looking for some unicorn of young with a ton of relevant experience. Young is because ... they can pay them less.

My point is they have someone in mind for these "senior" positions and it is hot an older professional.

Rarely does it shake out that way - it is usually the other way! More responsibility ("you'll need to grow into the role, or work hard to be promoted") and less pay :)

You don't disclose your age in the US either, but it's pretty easy to find via linkedin graduation dates, or just... looking at you. I think most companies just judge during the video screening.

Maybe we can have AI spruce up our video call avatars to be better looking and more mature. Haha.

You don't. But even with a good haircut and trendy clothes when you are 50+ nobody is going to guess you're only 31. You can trim your CV to only show last 10 years, but the roles are somehow still a tell.