In a professional setting, what do you say to someone who asks your age?

I was asked on the telephone today, while interviewing a potential client, how old I am. I didn't know what to say, so I just answered him. I would like to prevent this from happening in the future. Professionally, what would have been an appropriate response? Thanks for your advice.

You people are all stupid.

If your a lady, you may always say politely, to the person , " don't you know it's not polite to ask a lady her age? ", and that is all you need to say and if you say it half heartedly it will always "fly"...

If your male and you have a problem telling your age, then there is no reason why you simply shouldn't lie. It's business after all.

I tell them I am 65 years old as I have been very blessed"""with my looks But most people that do not look young and hot do not bring up age so that is the answer

"I don't really believe that is professionally relevant." If they persist, "That really isn't any of your business and I'd prefer to keep it to myself."

Or tell them in dog years.

Be honest. Secrets can only cause painfully unpleasant moments of people learning the secret.

don't say anything you are the boss and if they want to know how old you are then they can get a face to face interveiw

I would say, "oh, I'm old enough". That'll send them the message that you aren't going to answer and they shouldn't have asked.

I get that question constantly because I look so young for my age, and also since I'm really short (5'1) and have a baby-ish voice.

So I say in my most authoritative voice that I'm "old enough to do the job!" They usually laugh and forget about the question.

:0)

when you pester people with phone sales you got to expect some adverse comeback

Just say this........... " If I tell you, then I'd have to kill you". That should shut them up.

1)Why do you ask? 2)Ha, ha (laugh) 3)Old enough not to have to answer that 4)I'll get back to you on that 5)What age do you want me to be? 6)How old are you? 7)Thank you for your interest ..... (silence) 8) What?!?

"That is not professionally relevant. Now...back to what we were discussing..." or "Why?"

It's really none of their business. However just because they are rude doesn't mean you have to be. Just tell them your age and move on. If they start to pester you about your age just tell them they are being rude and see what they say.

I see nothing wrong in answering that question. But, if you do, simply state, in a pleasant, non-combative voice, "I'd rather not say." And drop it.
If they ask again, repeat your first answer.
It might have been they were thinking you didn't have enough experience to do their business justice.
If you want to reassure them of your abilities, no matter what your actual age, reassure them that your age does not adequately represent your experience or abilities.

Ignore the question and continue as if you didn't hear it. If they repeat it then you can tell them that is irrelevant and then continue.

Well, I imagine you want something extra polite to say, since you obviously want him as a client. I would just tell him how long you have been in business and how long you have been in whatever field you are in. That is probably what he really wanted to know anyway. You do not have to give your age. If someone is that insistent, I am sure he / she would be a difficult client anyway.

Ask a friend or co-worker if you sound extra young on the phone. A client may be concerned that you are very young and would not relate to him/her well. If you do sound young, you may want to work your number of years experience or education into the conversation before someone has a chance to ask your age.

retort back with "how much do you weigh"

No seriously ignore that question as if you didn't hear them and go on with the interview.

the reason i quipped with asking "how much do you weigh" is because a co worker asked another colleague (via the phone) how old he was and he retorted back "how much do you weigh"

Those sort of questions are private and should not be discussed...my own thoughs. I was once asked that juring an interview and I told him the age range.

I think I would have responded with something like, "I'm sorry, it's so unusual to be asked that question! Can you tell me why you want to know?" I would want to try to find out if the potential client had some work-related concern. Did the potential client think I sounded too young and "little girl"? Too old to be technologically competent?

If there was a real concern that actually prompted the question, I would then try to deal with the concern.

If the client was just curious, or was using the question as a conversation-prompter to try to get to know me better, I think I'd try to deflect interest in the subject, or maybe say something like "I'm younger than the 'I Love Lucy' generation and older than the 'Seinfeld' generation or something like that.

when they ask you yours, ask them theirs

why are we stupid?

We're not stupid, we're jocose.
Why did he ask, did you make a lot of stupid remarks?

It's illegal during an interview to ask a person's age, marital status and whether or not they have children. Seems like the same would apply here. Tell them it's against the law for you to ask or answer that question.

Ignore the question and continue with the interview by saying....."okay my next question to you........"

Maybe you could just laugh and say, "Old enough."