The workforce is a constantly changing place, and it is made that much more competitive by endlessly evolving technology. No matter your situation, whether you have not worked in years or simply find yourself job hunting later in life, it can feel like a daunting task to re-enter the workforce at an older age. However, it doesn’t have to be a frightening endeavor at all if you know how to set yourself up for success.
Here are 7 resume tips that will ensure the ample amount of work experience you have is seen by hiring managers as a strength instead of as a weakness. Of course, keep in mind that a company like Resume Writing Services, are also worth considering if you feel you simply prefer to have a professional write your resume.
Be upfront with your technology skills
One of the biggest changes in the workplace over the last fifty years has been the evolution of technology. Depending on your industry, your needed level of expertise may vary, but it is best to be upfront on you resume and clearly state your skill set in this area. Do not feel bad being honest, as it would be a disservice to yourself later on to indicate you are proficient in specific computer programs that you are not.
However, if you do have savvy technology skills, make sure to call this out prominently either in reference to past jobs or in the skills section of your resume. If you have taken any computer classes or certifications recently, make sure to point this out as well. It will show hiring managers that you have worked hard to stay up-to-date on current technology trends.
Map out your career journey
When you’ve been in the workforce for a long time, you might be unsure which parts of your career to highlight or focus on. First, look at your past positions and experiences and see which of those align most closely with your current job search. More specifically, make sure to include past experiences where you worked in a relevant industry or similar role.
If your career spans more than twenty years, do not feel like you need to include and list every job you’ve ever had since you were eighteen. If it makes sense, you can briefly touch on your early career experience in a few bullet points. Do not feel like you are obligated to add in the years you worked at those jobs, simply titling that section “beginning of career” will suffice.
Write a strong cover letter
The cover letter is another place where you can really shine when you submit your application. When you have had a lengthy and extensive career journey, it can feel daunting to cover everything you think is important on your resume, especially when you are trying to condense it down to just one short page. The cover letter is a great place to give more detail on those valuable past experiences and opportunities. If there is a particular project or former position you feel really aligns with the job you are currently applying to, take the time to expand upon this in your cover letter instead of on your resume.
Keep your contact information updated
Prospective jobs will not be able to reach out for an interview if they do not know how to contact you! If you are revising an older format of your resume, make sure to spend some time combing through your contact information section and update any necessary home addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses.
If you have a LinkedIn profile or other social media accounts that hiring managers may look through, it’s crucial that everything sends out one succinct message with no contradictory info given. Don’t say on your resume that you worked as a hiring manager, but then on your LinkedIn say you were actually a recruiter instead.
Don’t feel like you need to mention your age
While it certainly isn’t fair, potential age discrimination is certainly something to consider as a senior job seeker. While you never want to lie on your application, you do have the option to hide footprints that might give away your age on your resume. Feel free to leave the dates off of certain sections of your resume, such as your educational background or jobs over ten years in the past.
Make sure your formatting is right
Your resume from your first job out of college might have looked quite differently from how your resume should be looking now. Use an updated resume template to ensure your resume is easily skimmable and can get past applicant tracking systems. While it may seem silly, using an older format automatically clues in a human resources manager or hiring manager that you may not be as up to date as you should be on industry norms. Something to know is that most job applications are entirely digital, and will be submitted online. With that in mind, it is good practice to save your resume as a .docx or .pdf file prior to submitting your application.
Only mention relevant skills
The times have changed, and so has the skill set that companies are looking for in the present day. Make sure to do a scan of your resume to ensure you have not referenced any technologies or programs that have since become obsolete. While in the past it may have been an accomplishment to have those skills on you resume, keeping outdated references on your resume might signal to a hiring manager that your skill set is stuck in the past, and in turn – think you are as well.
