A reader recently asked for job search tips for older workers, and we’ve heard from a number of job seekers describing difficulties they’ve had during their job search because of their age.
If you’re a worker over 50, there are a few things you can do to give yourself a better chance of getting the attention of hiring managers and landing a job. One way is to revise your resume to highlight your experience, skills and accomplishments in a way that does not “date” you.
Here's how to do it:
1. Remove dates on your resume. This includes your birth date, date of graduation, and even dates of employment if they can be avoided.
2. Include no more than 10-15 years of experience on your resume, and only include the most relevant experience to the jobs to which you are applying. Jobs not related to the position you’re interested in can be left off your resume.
3. Consider formatting your resume in a functional or combination format. In a functional format, list experience in a few key skill areas, rather than listing out each employer and dates of employment. A combination, or chrono-functional, resume is much like the functional format but also includes a bare-bones list of previous employers, but only after you’ve highlighted your key areas of experience. For more on resume types, check out the post Three Main Types of Resumes.
4. In addition, if you notice that your skills are outdated based on the requirements of jobs you’re applying to, take some classes to make sure your skills are current and include these on your resume. Many colleges offer online courses so you can keep up-to-date even at home.
5. Finally, include accomplishments in your resume rather than listing out your previous responsibilities. Accomplishments that show an increase in revenue to previous companies or ways expenses were cut down especially stand out to employers. Read more ways to make your resume stand out.
Do you have other resume tips for older workers? Join in the conversation below!
