How Job-Seeking Senior Citizens Can Tailor Their Resumes

Ellie Williams reports:

"If you're a senior citizen job seeker, your biggest challenge may lie in adapting your resume to depict you as qualified for the modern workplace. Instead of focusing solely on job experience, tailor your resume to showcase what skills you have to offer and downplay information that portrays you as overqualified...Don't limit your qualifications to what you've done professionally. All of your skills and accomplishments are relevant, so include them on your resume if they relate to the jobs you're applying for. If you've taught yourself computer skills, a foreign language or any other talent, include it even if it wasn't part of your job duties. Emphasize your knowledge with a skills-based or achievement-based resume. Instead of just listing your jobs chronologically, lead with a section featuring three or four [skill] sets that apply to the job you're applying for. Describe how you used those skills at your previous jobs, and include specifics such as 'increased sales by 15 percent.'...You don't need to list your entire work history, especially if it dates back several decades. A lengthy work history draws attention to your age, and some experience may not be relevant because of changes within the industry. You only need to list your most recent 15 to 20 years of experience or your most recent three to four jobs. If you include older jobs, omit the dates of employment and also omit college graduation dates...If you've primarily held high-level positions such as vice president or chief operating officer, employers may think you're overqualified if you're applying for something lower on the corporate ladder. Many senior citizens, especially those who have retired, want to remain in the workforce at least part[-]time, and seek lower-stress jobs than they held as a full-time professional. However, if your most recent job was as a CEO, employers may hesitate to hire you as a retail sales associate. If you're seeking positions of a significantly lower stature than your most recent experience, soften the job titles...If you haven't worked in several years...downplay the gaps in your work experience. Instead of saying you were unemployed, describe what you did during that time and how it applies to the jobs you're applying for...Also include part-time and temporary jobs."