If you don't have your career on track by the time you're 30, something is seriously wrong. So was the thinking not so long ago. Of course, people then were also sporting polyester suits, shaking their booties under a mirrored ball and chanting "Stayin' Alive, Stayin' Alive."

Today, if you think you've got your career on track by age 30, something is very wrong. It’s not uncommon today to see people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, even 60s, looking for new jobs or careers. What seemed strange 25 years ago, has become much more commonplace today.

This is not to say that age discrimination doesn't exist. Of course it does -- but it's become harder to prove. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) makes it illegal to discriminate against an employee or job seeker because of age, but without a contact inside the company, you have no way of really knowing why you didn't get the job.

Blinded by the very prospect of age discrimination, you might sabotage your job search efforts by ignoring needed adjustments to your interviewing style, networking approach or marketing strategy. These are issues that can just as easily derail a 20-something.

Many of the people in hiring positions today are Baby Boomers -- and they don't think 50 is old. Despite sporting a few gray hairs and ever-expanding waistlines, they still think they're cool! More likely, they harbor some negative views of younger workers. Age discrimination swings both ways.

We all know people who are 30 who act like they're 70 -- and we know people who are 70 who might as well be 30.But we only know this when we meet face to face, based on energy, enthusiasm and attitude. Left to our own human biases, we have preconceived notions about what a 70 year old is like -- just as we might about what a 30 year old is like.

Most age discrimination occurs behind the scenes, when people are being evaluated on paper. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to look at your resume to determine that you're not 25 years old, no matter how you try to disguise it. To combat this, you need to use job search methods that allow you to rely less on your resume and more on your ability to get in front of someone who has the authority to hire you. That’s why the concept of "networking" is so important.

If you're not a mixer or schmoozer, don't try to be. Find a networking strategy that works for you and your style. Take a class, volunteer for a community project -- any activity that allows you to meet other people. Speak openly and positively about your job search. Sometimes the best networking occurs when you're not networking, by just being in the right place at the right time.

Don't underestimate the value of people who are younger than you. Competencies and capabilities no longer correlate to age or experience, so respect for others' ideas and input is more critical than ever. If you don't want to face age discrimination, don't practice it yourself.

By 2012, we're expected to be facing an acute shortage of skilled workers. Almost one in five workers will be over 55 -- and the generation coming up behind isn't big enough to fill all the necessary jobs. Companies that are able to recruit and retain mature workers will gain a competitive edge. And older workers who can effectively market their skills and experience are poised to benefit the most.