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by Deborah Walker
If you’re a job seeker over 50, you may be feeling ignored by employers. You’re certainly not ready to retire, but young recruiters seem to put you in the geriatric generation. If you’re feeling symptoms of age discrimination, your resume could be the culprit, categorizing you as out of date and over the hill.
Don’t despair if your resume is out of date.
Check job descriptions from various sources within your industry to see what technologies employers are looking for. Determine which technologies are missing from your resume. Then decide what you need to learn or do in order to fill that technology gap. Adult education classes, college classes, or even online learning are all great ways to catch up.
Be aware that technology terms are often used as keywords to filter the best resumes from electronic databases. If your resume doesn’t have them, it may never be seen. Make sure your technology skills aren’t leaving you behind.
If you have just been adding to the same old resume over the years your early entries reflect outdated terms. Bring your resume up to date with the help of publications from your industry’s professional associations. If you don’t belong to any professional associations, you might be missing out on the latest industry-speak.
Another good resource is online job postings. Search job descriptions in your field for recurring terms. Learn to use the current terminology for your industry correctly and effectively.
A decade back, the old-fashioned reverse-chronological format worked fine for you. But now that you have more experience, it may not be your best choice. The more advanced hybrid format will showcase your skills and expertise in a greater level of professional presentation. With a hybrid resume, potential employers will form an impression of you based on your best accomplishments, not just your most recent job description.
Finally, make sure you use the correct electronic version. You’ll want to have (1) a standard Word format (for printouts and email attachments), and (2) a Plain Text version for “text only” online forms.
Let your experience work for you rather than against you. Update your resume and you’ll see increased interest from employers. Your new resume will be a better reflection of your hard-earned skills, talents, and expertise.
About the author