Tips For Older Job Seekers Posting Resumes

You see a job listing and just know you would be a perfect fit. You have the necessary knowledge, skills, experience, drive and ambition. All you need now is an interview, and you'll prove to them that you are the right person for the job. That's the tricky part, getting your resume noticed when there are hundreds of others who post resumes for the same position.

If you are a job seeker who is over 50, you may think that your age itself may automatically screen you out before anyone even considers your qualifications. Unfortunately, this does happen sometimes. Consider that the problem may be with your resume itself. You resume may be following a 30 year old format that doesn't present you as well as it should. Resumes change just like everything else, and it may be time to revise yours. Here are some tips for older job seekers:

You Do Not Need to Date Yourself

You do not need to include every job you've ever had. Either leave older jobs off entirely or don't include the dates. In "Resumes for Dummies,"Joyce Lain Kennedy suggests limiting managerial experience to 15 years, technical experience to 10 years, and high-tech experience to just 5 years. Leave off experience that is outdated, such as software that is no longer being used.

Taylor Your Resume to the Position

Just as a cover letter should not be a form letter but addressed to each specific employer, a resume should highlight the experience and skills that are relevant to a particular position. Use the resume objective statement to show how you world be a good fit for the job focusing on the skills that are listed in the job posting.
A resume need not be only one page. If two pages are needed to include all relevant information in a well formatted manner, it is certainly acceptable.

Take Heart

Thanks to the baby boom generation growing older, the number of persons in the workforce who are over 50 is growing rapidly. This means that stereotypes are being forced to change, and you have certain strengths that younger workers might be lacking:

• People Experience. You've worn many hats and seen things from both sides. You understand, empathize with and know how to motivate people. You have the ability to convince skeptics and to calm upset customers.
• Real World Experience. You've witnessed business cycles come and go, and understand their causes and effects. You've seen the results of both good and bad decisions, and this has improved your own decision making skills.

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