DEAR JOYCE: My problem is bigger than both of us, but thanks for letting me vent. At 57, although I don't feel old, I've had to wrestle my way through endless submissions of resumes and interminable hours of networking. Some interviews finally materialized. So far, so good.

But wait: The minute interviewers see my gray hair and realize I'm older than they'd anticipated, they paste frozen smiles on their faces and rush through pro forma interviews. Big surprise -- I'm not given the time to work my interview magic and I never hear from them again.

I've been job-hunting in the professional market since November and am well qualified for the positions I seek. The problem is what I see as the growing preference for younger candidates. Despite laws against it, age discrimination is alive and well in the workplace. To deny it is ... well, denial. (Twenty years ago, I was on the other side of the hiring desk and making some of the age-based selections -- I know how many employers think.)

At any rate, I do believe the age bias I've encountered in the last eight months is worse than I can remember. If other over-55 readers are telling you of their similar experiences, would you agree the surge of bias in the job market is due to the shortage of jobs in this banged-up economy? -- R.B.

ECONOMIC TROUBLES AND THE SURGE. You nailed it! Although I have not lately been swamped with stories of prejudice from other readers, as jobs melt away, a record number of birthday-related complaints are pouring in to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Age bias charges jumped 29 percent in 2008.

To back up a bit, in case you're rusty on the details of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act passed in 1967 and since revised, it's intended to protect American workers age 40 and over from age-based discrimination in hiring and in every other aspect of employment. The ADEA forbids employers that have at least 20 employees from shutting out older workers. (Browse: AARP Age Discrimination Fact Sheet.) In addition, every state has a law prohibiting age discrimination in employment. Most state laws apply to employers with fewer than 20 employees.

HEADED HIGHER? Analysts speculate that the number of age-discrimination complaints filed by laid-off baby boomers is likely to soar even higher this year. Here's the rationale: As laid-off workers over 55 find themselves searching longer than their younger counterparts to find new employment, they understandably fear financial disaster. With savings emaciated by the stock market decline and the loss of home equity, more boomers are turning to legal action as a way to protect themselves. (Browse: AARP Age Discrimination Claims by Workers Reach Record High.) Continued...