Ten Tips for Women Over 50 to Age-Proof Their Résumé

With research revealing that 1 in 5 adults over 50 have no retirement savings, many are returning to work or switching careers out of necessity. However, with 59% of Americans over 50 reporting feeling overlooked by employers due to age, securing job opportunities can be an uphill battle.

LivingBetter50.com has practical advice on tailoring your résumé to avoid age bias and meet the standards of today’s recruiters with an age-proof resume.

Tailor your career history to recent achievements

Focus on the most recent 5-10 years of your career, highlighting relevant roles and achievements. For earlier positions, provide only a brief mention without excessive detail, focusing on showcasing recent experiences that directly align with the job requirements and promote ‘up to date’ skills.

Customize keywords and highlight relevant skills

Update your CV to feature current, in-demand skills. Remove outdated technologies or tools, such as WordPerfect or Lotus Notes, and focus on modern competencies that are relevant to the role. Tailor your resume’s language to match job descriptions and company culture.

Use ATS-friendly templates

Choose clean, simple résumé templates compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Avoid text boxes, graphics, and images that ATS may not process effectively. Stick to a single-column, straightforward layout.

Modernize job titles and remove graduation dates

Update outdated titles to current industry standards. For example, replace “Data Entry Clerk” with “Data Specialist” or “Secretary” with “Administrative Assistant” to reflect more modern roles. Additionally, exclude graduation dates unless specifically requested, focusing on the relevance of your education rather than when you completed it.

Keep your CV concise

Stick to a two-page format (unless the job requires detailed documentation). A shorter CV helps avoid signaling excessive experience that may trigger bias. Avoid including irrelevant personal information such as your date of birth, email address containing your birth year, or marital/parental status.

Choose contemporary fonts and modern formatting

Select modern fonts like Calibri or Arial for your resume. Avoid outdated fonts like Times New Roman, which can make your resume appear old-fashioned. Use single-spacing between sentences instead of double-spacing, to avoid typewriter-era formatting.

Leverage LinkedIn to optimize your CV for screening

Use LinkedIn to tailor your CV and boost your chances of passing the first screening, particularly with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Analyze job descriptions on LinkedIn to identify key skills and keywords that frequently appear. The “Skills” section and LinkedIn Premium’s “How You Match” feature can help identify the competencies to highlight.

Omit references section and certifications

Skip the “References” section – employers typically ask for them later. Also, avoid attaching copies of certifications unless requested; mention them within the relevant sections of your CV instead.

Replace objective statements with a professional summary

Ditch the traditional objective statement and instead include a professional summary that highlights your career level, expertise, and key accomplishments. This provides a more modern, concise introduction to your qualifications.

Highlight modern engaging interests

Include hobbies or interests that are current, unique, and relevant to the role you’re applying for. For example, showcasing your passion for emerging technologies, sustainability, or volunteer work in your community can highlight your engagement with modern trends. This demonstrates that you’re adaptable, forward-thinking, and aligned with the values of today’s workplace. Refrain from listing hobbies that may signal outdated generational trends (for example, CD collecting).

While these tips can help you navigate the job market with confidence, recognizing signs of age-bias in a company can guide you in choosing a workplace that aligns with your values. Be aware of signs of:

• Limited experience preferred: Phrases like “under 3-5 years of experience” or “a fresh perspective” may signal a preference for younger candidates.
• Youth-oriented benefits: Perks like gym memberships, gaming competitions, or happy hours—without retirement planning or similar benefits—can hint at a culture focused on younger employees.
• Gen Z-inspired job titles: Terms like “Digital Native,” “Growth Hacker,” or “Rockstar” suggest the company is targeting a younger, tech-savvy audience.
• Youth-centric job descriptions: Emphasis on skills or tools popular among younger generations, such as the latest apps or trends, may exclude seasoned professionals.
• Exclusionary language: Phrases like “recent graduates” or “young dynamic team” are clear red flags that older candidates might not be the focus.

LivingBetter50 is a magazine for women over 50, offering an over 50 magazine free download for women of spirit!