Resumes for Older Workers: 13 Tips + Examples to Help You Succeed

No matter where your career journey as an older worker has taken you, you can write a resume that gets you the interview. Being an older worker means that you have both the life experience and professional experience to impress employers. Let's dive into how you can make the most of these advantages and create an impressive resume for an older worker.

Our guide covers:

• The challenges older workers face and the strengths they bring when it comes to job hunting.
• Tips for building a persuasive resume for an older worker.
• A resume example from an older worker who put these tips into practice.

Need a starting place to build or update your resume? Our AI Resume Builder provides automatic formatting help, stylish templates, and content suggestions based on your career level and input.

Challenges and Strengths of Older Workers in the Job Market

Looking for a new job can be intimidating for workers from all career stages and backgrounds. Writing a resume can feel like a guessing game, and sending out dozens, sometimes even hundreds, of applications can feel like shouting into the void. 

But while entry-level students and recent graduates grapple with the challenge of finding a job without experience, as an older worker, you contend with your own challenges and bring your own set of strengths to counteract them. Let's look at the difficulties facing older workers and the strengths that set you apart. 

Age discrimination

While it is illegal to discriminate against candidates based on age, that doesn't mean that older workers never face age discrimination. Older workers may be stereotyped as less tech-savvy, up-to-date with their industry, or ambitious. These biased perceptions may lead to qualified candidates being passed up for roles in favor of younger candidates. 

Changes to the job market

Whether you've been in the same role for a long time or you're reentering the workforce after a period of absence, it can be frustrating to see how the job search game has changed. From applicant tracking systems (ATS) that filter out resumes based on keywords to ghost listings that aren't actually looking for candidates in the first place, the job market looks very different today than it did just five years ago. For many older workers, learning how to write an ATS-friendly resume is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to adapting to the modern job market.

Time away from the job hunt

If you haven't spent time job searching, writing cover letters, adjusting your resume, and interviewing for roles in recent years, stepping back into the job search can be frustrating. But don't worry! With a bit of practice, you'll get used to the process again and land your next role.

As much as age can create challenges for applicants, it also creates valuable opportunities. 

Older workers often have:

More experience

Even considering potential employment gaps, older workers tend to have extensive experience. Being a part of the workforce for decades means collecting useful knowledge and developing an understanding of your industry. Even when planning a career change later in life, you reap the benefits of having spent decades learning a diverse range of transferable skills for a resume that's well-rounded and impressive.

Soft skills

Soft skills are difficult to teach, and that makes them invaluable. With decades of life experience under your belt, you most likely already know how to manage your time to be productive, work collaboratively with others, and solve problems on the fly. Being a master of these skills helps make you a more attractive candidate.

Connections

The connections that you've made over the course of your career are worth their weight in gold. Not only can they connect you to new roles, but they can also validate your skills by serving as references! Leverage your hard-earned network to help you successfully win at your job search.

Tips for Building a Resume as an Older Worker

Now that we've looked at the opportunities facing older workers and how to overcome the challenges, let's explore ways that you can tailor your resume to make the most of your experience and skills.

Curate your work experience

You most likely have more than 10 years of experience in your field. Having extensive experience is a huge asset and justifies writing a two-page resume that details your career journey. But with so much experience, it can be tempting to weigh down your resume with more work history than it needs. 

To avoid handing in a resume that is too long, stick with experience that's relevant to the role you're applying to. Your resume shouldn't be more than two pages unless you're writing a CV instead. So if your first retail job is inching onto page three, don't be afraid to cut it from your resume's experience section!

Avoid dates where you can

Minimize the potential impact of age discrimination on your chances by eliminating unnecessary dates. For example, if you aren't a new graduate, then there's no reason to include your date of graduation on your resume. It won't contribute anything positive, so go ahead and cut it. 

Choose a resume format that plays to your strengths

There are three main resume formats that candidates use. For most older workers, a chronological resume format that focuses on experience is your best bet. If you're making a career change, then a combination or a functional format, which adds more emphasis to skills over experience, may work for your career goals. If you're not embarking on a new career, then focus on detailing your extensive work experience to make the most out of your career strengths.

Emphasize your computer skills

One common stereotype about older workers is that they tend to be less comfortable learning and adapting to new technologies. Whether that holds true for you or not, showing that you've stayed on top of technology trends in your field is a strong strategy for a resume at any age. If you're less confident in your computer skills, consider developing them so you can position yourself as a competitive candidate in the modern workplace.

Focus on transferable skills

If you've changed careers or spent some time out of the workforce, make sure to show how the skills you've developed during that time will transfer to the role you're targeting. Highlight any projects or accomplishments that demonstrate you have transferable skills that make you a strong worker in any role.

Here's an example of volunteer work on a resume that showcases transferable skills pertaining to leadership and organization:

Be transparent about gaps

Not every older worker has significant employment gaps, but those who do are forced to contend with the added stigma of lapses in employment. Fortunately, employment gaps on your resume, though perhaps not desirable, are both common and normal. They are a challenge that a good resume strategy can overcome.

Gaps on your resume may represent any number of life events or changes for you. No matter why you have them, make sure to address them appropriately. Hiding or glossing over them won't give employers a sense of the development you underwent during your time away.

Use a modern template

A sleek and stylish resume template goes a long way toward branding you as an active professional with your finger on the pulse of your industry. Choose a ready-to-use template to ensure your resume is professional and well-designed, especially if you aren't confident in your design skills.

Use numerical data

A resume that simply lists your accomplishments is a fine starting point, but to make your resume really stand out you need to show employers your real-world impact. Use numbers to explain how you made a difference in previous roles. Specific examples with data to back them up will give employers a much stronger sense of what you bring to the table.

For example:

Use keywords from the job listing

Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter out candidates who don't mention the specific qualifications that the role is looking for. But this means that sometimes qualified candidates fall through the cracks. Make sure you make it to the recruiter's hands by customizing your resume for each role by using keywords from the job description. Integrating keywords throughout your resume will help you pass through ATS and help show how well you align with the role.

Wondering how ATS sees your resume? Try using an ATS resume checker. These tools scan your resume and provide a score with tips to help you improve it. An ATS checker is especially helpful for determining whether ATS can properly parse your resume.

Update your social media presence

Adding links to an active LinkedIn profile to your resume is a great way to show how tech-savvy you are while also giving employers a glimpse at your incredible network of professional connections. Don't have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile? It's never too late to get started!

Seek out opportunities to develop your career

Looking to enhance your expertise and stay at the forefront of your industry? Exploring targeted professional development opportunities, such as specialized courses or certifications, can help you demonstrate your ongoing commitment to growth and solidify your position as a leader in your field.

Write a strong cover letter

A great resume is the perfect start to your application, but a strong cover letter will help you seal the deal. Write a customized cover letter that explains why you're interested in the role and why you'd be a great fit. This is also a valuable opportunity to add context to your resume, explain any gaps, and personalize your accomplishments.

Make the most of modern tools

AI tools have had a big impact on all sides of the hiring process. Employers use AI to find the most qualified candidates, and job-seekers use AI to write resumes, customize cover letters, and even automate the job search. If you're not familiar with AI, it can seem like a complicated technology to use, but this isn't true! 

From Resume Builders that walk you through the writing process to ATS checkers that help you see how well your resume holds up under AI scrutiny, AI tools for job seekers are widely available and easy to learn.

Sample Resume for an Older Worker

Need to visualize how these tips can make your resume stronger? Check out this resume example from an older worker to get inspired.

Use this template

Key Takeaways

Resources to Help With Your Job Search

• Should You Include Irrelevant Experience on Your Resume?
• How to List References for a Resume With No Experience
• 8 Tips to Make an AI-Friendly Resume
• How to Prepare for a Job Interview
• How to Use AI to Apply for Jobs
• How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Name

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Hailey Brophy

Career Advice Expert

Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.

Read more articles by Hailey Brophy