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categorizing you as out of date and over the hill.
There are three reasons your resume may be keeping you out
of interviews. Your resume is due for an update if:
1. Your technology skills date you from the stone age
2. Your key industry words are decades old
3. Your resume format doesn't follow current trends
Don't despair if your resume is out of date. You can
perform an extreme resume makeover by using the tips below.
1. Get up to date on your industry's technology.
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.
2. Make sure your resume is using current terminology.
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the years your early entries reflect outdated terms.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.
3. Make sure your resume reflects today's trends in resume
format and style.
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.
Many of the old resume rules just don't apply any more.
For example:
* "Limit your resume to one page." This idea went out with
the advent of electronic resumes.
* "End your resume with References Available Upon Request."
It's already assumed.
* "You should show every job you have ever held and give
each equal importance." Employers are interested in the
most relevant information, so don't go back any further
than what relates to your current career objection.
* "Your resume should go back no more than ten years."
Don't use an arbitrary number to determine how much to
include on your resume. Use the rule of relevancy to
decide how many of your jobs to include.
* "One resume should handle everything." Not so! For
greater effectiveness adjust your resume to different
fields or industries.
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.
----------------------------------------------------
Deborah Walker, Resume Coach, and former executive
recruiter understands from an insider's view the resume
errors that can spell disaster for "post-50" job seekers.
Her resume advice has helped many continue to reach their
career objectives regardless of their age. Visit Deb at
http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com
No comments:
Post a Comment