If you’re a job seeker from the Baby Boomer generation, you may be feeling overlooked in today’s job market. You’re certainly not ready to retire, but the young recruiters you send resumes to don’t seem to recognise the value of your skills and experience. If you’re encountering age-related barriers, your resume could be part of the problem, unintentionally signalling you’re out of touch with current trends.
Here are four key ways to keep your resume working for you:
1. Keep Your Resume Current in Skills and Language
Technology and industry terminology evolve quickly, and an outdated resume can make you seem out of step with modern expectations. Review job descriptions in your field to identify the key skills employers are looking for. If there are technologies or tools listed you’re unfamiliar with, consider up-skilling through online courses, workshops, or adult education classes.
Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes, scanning for specific keywords. If your resume lacks relevant technology skills and current industry terminology, it may never reach human eyes. Update your resume with the latest terminology and skills to ensure you remain competitive.
2. Use a Modern Resume Format
If you’ve been using the same resume format for years, it may be time for a refresh. The traditional reverse-chronological format, which lists jobs in order from most recent to oldest, might not showcase your strengths effectively. Instead, consider a combination (or hybrid) resume format, which blends a skills-based summary with a chronological work history. This format highlights your expertise and accomplishments first, allowing potential employers to see your strengths at a glance before reviewing your career history.
Some outdated resume practices to avoid:
- Keeping your resume to one page – A one-page resume is only necessary for entry-level job seekers. If you have extensive experience, two pages are acceptable.
- Listing ‘References Available Upon Request’ – This is assumed and no longer necessary.
- Including every job you’ve ever had – Focus on relevant experience rather than a complete career history.
- Limiting your resume to the past ten years – There’s no strict time limit, but prioritise relevance over chronology. If an older role is highly relevant, include it, but consider summarising rather than providing full details.
- Using one resume for all applications – Tailor your resume for different roles. Save versions in both Word (for attachments) and Plain Text (for online submissions). This will save you a lot of time in repairing lost formatting, which often occurs when cutting and pasting a Word document into a text-only form.
3. Strengthen Your Professional Presence
Beyond just your resume, employers often look up candidates online. Having an updated LinkedIn profile that matches your resume can boost credibility. If possible, include a link to your LinkedIn profile in your resume.
Also, be mindful of the email address you use. An older provider like Hotmail or AOL can appear outdated—opting for a simple Gmail address with your name looks more professional.
Lastly, highlight your soft skills and adaptability. Many older job seekers have strong leadership, problem-solving, and mentoring experience. These qualities are valuable in today’s workforce, so make sure they are reflected in your resume.
4. Be Concise & Impactful
Hiring managers scan resumes quickly, often spending only a few seconds on each one. To make sure yours stands out, focus on clarity and efficiency in how you present your experience.
- Use bullet points – Long paragraphs can be hard to read quickly. Breaking up information into bullet points makes it easier for recruiters to skim.
- Start with strong action words – Words like ‘led’, ‘achieved’, ‘implemented’, and ‘developed’ convey impact and initiative.
- Highlight measurable achievements – Rather than saying, ‘Managed a team,’ say, ‘Managed a team of 10 and increased productivity by 20%’. Whenever possible, include figures or concrete results.
- Keep it relevant – Every word should serve a purpose. Remove unnecessary details and avoid jargon not widely understood.
- Use a clean layout – Stick to professional fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and ensure there is enough white space for readability.
Updating your resume with these best practices will help ensure your experience is seen as an asset rather than a liability. By aligning with modern resume trends, you can increase your chances of securing interviews and landing the role you deserve.