4 Resume Tips for Older Workers

If you fall into the Baby Boomer category and are in search of a job, you may feel that the odds are against you. Often times, it seems that older workers don't get a fair chance at job opportunities because of preconceived notions from employers, such as a perceived desire from you to retire as soon as you start, or the belief that you won't be technologically savvy, work as hard or be as "sharp" as your younger counterparts.

Of course, you know nothing could be further from the truth; however, when an employer gets a hint of your age on your resume, you may not get the chance to prove yourself. Working with a certified resume writer gives you access to tricks to make your resume stand out in the crowd despite age. However, by applying the following resume tips, you could get the job done on your own.

1. Shy Away from Dates

One tip to consider when working on your resume is to shy away from dates that will reveal your age. For instance, if you graduated from college in 1972, this indicates that you are now at least in your late 50s. If you don't want this information revealed, you could simply note the colleges you attended and the degrees you received without noting the year you graduated.

2. Limit Your Employment Background

A good rule of thumb to consider when noting what jobs to list for your employment history is to include only those positions you've held within the last 15 years. The only exception to this rule might be if you've worked for the same company for longer than this period of time. In this case, while noting the dates could reveal your age, it could also stand as a testament to your level of commitment to one employer.

3. Focus On the Future

When writing your resume, it's good to keep in mind that some employers think you're not interested in advancing in your career - that you're an old dog that can't be taught new tricks. However, if in your resume, you create a section dedicated to continuing education and training, employers can see that you are not just interested in growing for the future, but are actually in the process of doing so.

4. Consider Downplaying Your Titles

Sometimes hiring managers can be a bit intimidated by the title "Vice President" if you're applying for a lesser position now. If you think your title could hinder your progress during the job search, you could take one of your job responsibilities and apply that to your title (ex. Regional Manager).

What's great about being an older worker is that you have all of the experience and wisdom in the world to get the job done. But before you can get the job done, you have to get the job. So take time to create a resume that will get you in the door then you can prove to the company just how great you are.