You might think that employers seeking to fill executive and managerial positions would be especially interested in older skilled workers with a wealth of experience and up-to-date skills. And in many cases, you would be right. Many employers do understand that hiring a seasoned veteran makes sense in the long run, as they are more likely to remain with the company and don't need lots of training to get up to speed.
By Sandy Smith
But in just about as many cases, you would be wrong. The first thing many other employers see when they get a resume from an older job seeker is a price tag. These cost-conscious companies assume that older employees would not be willing to work for what they are willing to pay.
Never mind that in the current job market, this assumption is erroneous. It remains an obstacle for the older worker seeking employment in business. But there are ways that mature workers can increase the odds that their resumes will get around that obstacle. Here are simple things you can do to make your resume more likely to generate an interview:
What have you done lately? If you have jobs from more than 10 to 15 years ago still on your resume, remove them, even if they are relevant to your current career, skill set or level of responsibility. Focus your resume on your most recent work.
Don't put your age in neon lights. Avoid the use of terms that suggest you are older, such as "seasoned" or "veteran." And by all means, do not list the number of years of experience you have in your field on your resume.
Don't say when you graduated. By now, your college years are relevant to your professional career only as establishment of a credential. Including your graduation date on your resume is a sure trigger for the age screeners.
Keep up to date with your skills, especially in technology. If you know or use the latest software applications, be sure they're on your resume - and that the dinosaurs have been removed. This advice applies equally to non-technology skills.
What's it called now? Make sure that if you worked for an employer that has been acquired or changed its name, you have the employer's current name on your resume.
Use a combined resume format. Begin your resume with a summary of your qualifications and accomplishments, then list where you've worked chronologically. If you are thinking of switching careers, go one step further and use the functional format.
Of course, if you are seeking a position with a high level of responsibility, such as the ones found on BusinessWorkForce, you don't want to remove too much gray from your resume lest you make yourself sound unqualified for the position. Besides, there are employers out there looking for highly skilled individuals at bargain prices, and you might just want to sell yourself to them. But the less your resume says "old," the better your chances of landing interviews.
By Sandy Smith
Sandy Smith is a veteran freelance writer, editor and public relations professional who lives in Philadelphia. Besides blogging for BusinessWorkForce.com, he has written for numerous publications and websites, would be happy to do your resume, and is himself actively seeking career opportunities on Nexxt. Check out his LinkedIn profile and read his other posts on BusinessWorkForce.com.
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