Writing a resume after age 50

Every year, the number of older adults choosing to stay in the workforce without opting for retirement grows. There are many challenges that older professionals face when they apply for new jobs. Did you know that strategically writing your resume will help you land more job offers?

As an older worker, you might be perceived as overqualified for certain roles or lacking contemporary skills for others. You will have to deal with many stereotypes during the hiring process. Here’s how you can age-proof your resume and score a better job opportunity:

Select the right resume format

There are three popular resume formats the chronological resume, the functional resume, and the hybrid resume. You must select the one that fits your qualifications and experiences the best when selecting your resume format. Most older professionals benefit from choosing the chronological resume format to showcase their strong career history. However, if you have had long employment gaps, going for a functional resume format will be the best for you.

Limit your work history

Your resume is not an autobiography. You do not need to mention every job you have had in the past since graduating college. Include only the professional experience that is relevant to the new role. Did you know that removing past work experience can increase your chances of getting hired? Limit your career history to the latest 10 – 15 years to age-proof your resume.

Omit graduation dates

Employers do not need to know that you graduated in January 1980. They only need to know the name of your degree and the college. Remove your college and high school graduation dates from the resume. Listing older dates on your resume will make you vulnerable to age discrimination during the hiring process. Therefore, it is better to leave out all dates that can point to your age.

Highlight technology skills

One common misconception about older professionals in the job market is that they are not up to date with the latest tech advancements. Show potential employers that you have been updating your knowledge on the latest technology in your field. Emphasize your knowledge of industry-related software and tech tools on your resume.

Use action verbs

The best way to create a compelling resume is to use active language throughout. Passive sentences will downplay even your biggest professional achievements. Let active sentences bring life to the most impressive professional wins on your resume. Begin each bullet point of the career summary with an action verb. If you have trouble choosing the right action verbs for your resume, this article will help you.

Tailor your resume to the job

Most importantly, never send in a generic resume for your job applications. Every employer has different expectations and demands from their candidates. Present yourself as the best candidate for the position by tailoring your resume to the job description. Mention all the right keywords on your resume and add only the relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications.