The job market has gotten increasingly competitive over the years forcing job seekers to step up their game. It’s no longer enough to have a mediocre resume when there are many people vying for the same position. For older job seekers, they often worry that, although they have a great deal of experience, their age may be seen as a drawback. However, there are many ways in which they can keep their resume looking fresh and current while still showcasing the depth and breadth of their abilities.
- Stick with a chronological resume, but limit job history. You do not have to disclose every job you have ever held on your resume. It is your introduction to an employer, not your life history. Sometimes people are tempted to use a functional resume to detail their accomplishments instead of work history, but this can make it look like they are trying to hide something. List only the past 10 to 15 years of employment. It’s often clear that you have additional experience by the types of positions you have held.
- Show updated skills and training. Stay current with professional development and best practices within your industry. You may have earned your degree 20 years ago, but you want to demonstrate that you are keeping up with current trends and skills. Your willingness to learn and advance your abilities can be a positive. Also, remove the dates from your education. You earned the degree and have several years of experience, so the year isn’t as important.
- Highlight the most relevant and recent accomplishments. What you achieved 15 or more years ago does not necessarily hold as much weight now. Employers want to see what you can do for them in today’s business world and how you have kept up with changing demands. Focus on recent results and major undertakings. Showcase your role and the results achieved. You can always discuss previous successes throughout your progression during an interview.
- Ditch the pre-made template and objective. It doesn’t take much to fill in the blanks of a template and it shows little technological ability. They are a thing of the past. The same goes for objectives. You may be unintentionally dating yourself by using outdated formats and styles that end up deterring from the impression you’re making. Create a clean, professional looking resume in Word with a strong summary of qualifications and core competencies to start instead of an objective.
- Build an online presence. The world has become a very technology-oriented place. Employers are turning to platforms like LinkedIn to scope out candidates and also Googling for information. Show that you are up-to-date with the times and in sync with these trends. Create professional pages that portray you in a positive light and make you more attractive to potential employers.
Don’t let age become a factor when you’re creating your resume. Contact Chic Resumes to refresh your resume and align it with what employers are looking for in today’s competitive job market. Make sure you’re standing out for all of the right reasons. Call (803) 831-7444 or email resumewriting@grammarchic.net to get started and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Amanda E. Clark founded Grammar Chic in 2008. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and holds degrees in Journalism, Political Science, and English. She launched Grammar Chic after freelancing for several years while simultaneously leading marketing and advertising initiatives for several Fortune 500 companies.
