One of the toughest parts of job hunting can be putting your career on paper — especially when it’s a long one. Information overload isn’t the only challenge facing older workers. If you’re switching careers, re-entering the workforce or concerned about age discrimination, it’s even more important to make sure your resume is in top form.
You know your priorities and values, you know your industry and you’ve found some potential employers — but how can you craft your resume to land an interview? Here are some tips to help:
Focus on the future.
Think your resume is a record of the past? Not so, warns Mary Eileen Williams, veteran career counsellor and author of Land the Job You Love: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50. Instead, approach your resume as a future-oriented document to support your career goals. Consider: what do you want to do and how do your skills and experiences make you a good candidate?
Consider doing a little de-cluttering too. Some skills and experiences that were useful twenty years ago may not be so valuable now. Instead, you’ll want to emphasize skills that meet the demands of today’s job market. Also, be sure to highlight what you enjoy doing the most. Playing up skills and tasks you’d rather not do in the future could land you a job you might not enjoy as much.
Learn the lingo.
No, we’re not talking about overused buzzwords like “prioritize” or “synergize” that offer little substance. Every industry has its own specialized terminology, and your choice of words can show you’re current on the latest trends and terms. For instance, many tech companies now offer “solutions” rather than “products”, and teachers may be focused on “learning expectations” rather than “outcomes” or “goals”. Get comfortable with the latest trends and philosophies so you’ll be comfortable discussing them on paper and in person.
Use the job description.
The days of sending out generic resumes are long gone. Today, it’s all about customization, and carefully reading job postings can tell you what employers want. Copying and pasting their exact wording is a no-no, but you can learn which skills and requirements are most important — then match your offerings with their needs.
Pay attention to the wording so you can pick up on the keywords — especially if you’re applying online. Many resumes end up in an electronic databases where keywords are used to search for relevant applications. Even if a person is handling applications, screening is usually done by recruiters with a checklist of must-haves — not by hiring managers.
