resume for older workers

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Writing Your Resume After Age 50: A Guide for Older Adults

A growing number of older adults are delaying retirement in favor of working longer. In 1985, just 10% of those over age 65 were either actively working or searching for a job. As of 2019, that percentage has doubled. 1 This trend is expected to continue as more older Americans look to improve their financial security and stay active and engaged in their communities.

Having a strong resume is important for older job seekers

Compared to their younger counterparts, older adults can face more barriers to finding gainful employment. Ageism is one of them. While you may know you have what it takes to perform a job, some employers still believe mature workers are “overqualified” or lacking contemporary skills. Combating these stereotypes starts with having a thoughtfully crafted, up-to-date resume.

Throughout the hiring process, employers rely on your resume to learn more about you and determine whether you’re a good fit for their organization. It’s a golden opportunity to highlight your qualifications, attributes, and relevant experience. A professional resume should always include these key pieces of information:

• Full name and contact information (phone and email)
• Professional summary (formerly known as the “objective”)
• Work experience and history
• Applicable skills
• Educational background

Wondering how to write a resume at 50+ years old? Use the strategies below to create one that increases your odds of landing a job interview .

9 resume tips for mature workers

1. Choose the right resume format.

What is the best resume format for older workers? There are three main types:

• Chronological: This format focuses on your work history, which is presented in chronological order with your most recent employment at the top.
• Functional: This option focuses more on your relevant skills versus your work history.
• Hybrid: This approach combines certain elements of the chronological and functional resume formats to create the ideal professional profile.

In most cases, older workers should stick to the tried-and-true chronological format. This allows you to display your years of experience—your leg-up over younger candidates. However, if you've been out of the workforce for a long time, a functional resume will allow you to keep the focus on your skills rather than any gaps in your work history.

No matter which format you go with, try to keep your resume to one or two pages . Browse this library of resume examples across different industries to get started.

2. Limit your work history to 10 to 15 years.

As an older job seeker, there's no need to share your entire work history. Include only those positions most meaningful to the job you're applying for, held during the last 10 to 15 years. If there are major achievements you want to highlight that extend beyond that timeframe, Indeed.com recommends adding an " Early Career " section. This section should not feature specific dates of employment.

3. Don’t include graduation dates.

In the same token, leave graduation dates out of your education section. List only the degrees you hold (with the most advanced degrees first), schools you attended, and any recent training or certifications. This can help reduce the chances of age discrimination while still playing up your credentials.

4. Make the most of your professional summary.

Once called the “objective,” the professional summary is an introductory paragraph on your resume that highlights your biggest skills and achievements. If you have a solid work history, this is your chance to shine! Be sure to include any industry credentials you have and what essential skills, experience, and attributes you bring to the table. Avoid industry jargon that may not resonate with younger hiring managers. And don’t include specifics related to your years of experience (for example, "25 years").

5. Emphasize your technology skills.

A common misconception about older adults is that they haven't kept in step with technological advancements. You can remedy this by adding a section to your resume that highlights your experience and comfort with modern software and platforms (such as Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint). If a job you're applying to mentions a technology you're proficient in, make sure you include it in the experience or skills section of your resume. Steer clear of listing any outdated technologies.

6. Use a modern font (typeface style).

Using certain fonts on your resume can instantly tip off employers that you're an older job seeker. Stay away from serif fonts such as Times New Roman—these do not translate well to a computer screen and are rarely used in business today. Plus, serif fonts are difficult for applicant tracking systems to read, which means your resume may never land on the desk of a real person. Instead, stick to smoother, sans-serif fonts such as Arial and Geneva. A size 12 font is the standard size and will make your resume easy to read.

7. Include a healthy dose of action verbs.

Using action verbs can help you create a more compelling resume that stands out to potential employers. They're especially valuable when describing your work experiences and accomplishments. Examples of resume-boosting action verbs include:

• Collaborated

8. Tailor your resume to each new job opportunity.

Keep in mind you’ll want to modify your resume for each job listing. Why is this important for older job seekers? It gives you a chance to highlight the skills most relevant to the role you're applying to. You can also feature keywords that make your resume stand out to hiring managers who have specific skills on their wish list. Constantly tweaking your resume can be labor-intensive, but it’s well-worth the time and effort.

9. Show you’re connected by sharing your LinkedIn profile.

As an older worker, you want to show employers you're current with the latest communication technologies. One way to do this is by including a link to your new or updated LinkedIn profile on your resume. LinkedIn is a powerful platform for creating and promoting your "personal brand." Think of it as your online resume. The guidelines above still apply—but here are some additional suggestions for age-proofing your digital calling card:

• Use a recent photo for your profile: Avoid using an outdated photograph where you look younger; it’s better to be transparent about your age. Use a professional headshot if possible, but otherwise, a DIY headshot is fine (remember to smile!). Avoid distracting backgrounds—such as a messy home office—and wear interview-appropriate attire .
• Include keywords in your headline: Use language pulled directly from the job descriptions you're responding to. Be sure to stick with current terms (for example, "proficiency in Microsoft Word" versus "word processing skills").
• Use first-person language in your summary (“About” section): This simple practice can help modernize your LinkedIn profile and create a more personal connection with the people who view it.
• Include volunteer leadership positions and other accomplishments: These are areas where your age can be a true asset. Don't be shy about noting any high-level volunteer roles, awards, or honors that relate to the type of position you seek.
• Collect recommendations: LinkedIn recommendations are written testimonials from other members who know your professional worth firsthand (such as a former colleague or supervisor). You can get recommendations simply by requesting them from your LinkedIn connections. Giving recommendations to others can often encourage them to return the favor.

New to LinkedIn? Here’s a simple tutorial to help you sign up and create your profile.

Are you an older worker who needs help finding a job?

Searching for a new job? Or returning to work after a break? NCOA recently launched its new employment tool,  Job Skills CheckUp , to help older adults get tips on how to succeed as a mature worker.  All you have to do is tell us about your goals, describe your current employment situation, and the Job Skills CheckUp will create a personalized plan to help you find job openings, build a professional network, prepare for job interviews, and more.

In addition,  the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is here to help. Created in 1965, SCSEP is America’s oldest program to help older adults with low income find work. It matches eligible applicants (age 55+) with paid, part-time training assignments for nonprofit organizations.

To apply, find your local SCSEP office and complete an application. If you’re eligible for the program and there is no waiting list, you will be enrolled to train at a non-profit organization in your community.

1. Older Americans in the Workforce, United Income. Found on the internet at http://www.advancingstates.org/sites/nasuad/files/United_Income_Older_Americans_in_the_Workforce.pdf

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7 No-Fail Resume Tips for Older Workers (+ Examples)

While most job seekers experience obstacles during their efforts to find that perfect job, older workers, those with over 20 years of experience, often face unique challenges. For a variety of reasons, a lot of hiring managers seem to give preference to younger workers. Usually, that preference is the result of either conscious or unconscious bias. 

It could be because they might feel older workers are out of touch with modern tech or aren’t as quick at grasping new concepts or ideas. They forget that older workers often have so much more experience and knowledge about their chosen field than someone just entering the workplace.

To counter this bias, older workers need to know how to craft a comprehensive resume that maximizes their odds of landing an interview during the job search process without prejudice creeping in. You don’t want your detailed resume for an older worker ending up on the “no” pile without being considered at all and through no fault of your own.

Read on about how our team of career experts has come up with 7 no-fail tips for resumes for older workers that can help you land more interviews.

How strategic resumes help older workers

First, though, it’s helpful to understand why these tips for resumes for older workers are even necessary. It all comes down to perception. Applications from more experienced job seekers often contain resumes that are filled with years of valuable accomplishments. They have relevant skills crafted over many decades of employment. On the surface, you’d think those would be positive benefits that would excite most potential employers and hiring managers. Sadly, that’s not always the case when compared to younger job seekers.

In fact, many employers view a lengthy work history as a sign that the older worker is probably outdated. They may assume that you can’t possibly be familiar with current technology, trends, and strategies.

Worse still, they may even believe that they can’t afford to hire you. After all, your lengthy experience and impressive skill set should command a high salary, right? Basically, these hiring managers will assume that your age and experience with outdated tech skills represent too great a risk, and you might get turned down at the first hurdle before you’ve even been given a chance to state your suitability for the role.

The best way to avoid that rejection is to update your resume by following the tips below to showcase your skills and qualifications the right way, enabling you to effectively remove the age question from your resume. 

7 tips for resumes for older workers

1. omit dates from your resume.

One of the best tips for resumes for older workers is to avoid using graduation dates in the education section. It’s difficult to work around your age if your college graduation date is there in black-and-white. There’s no requirement to add this, so just skip the dates altogether, but keep it consistent so there are no dates on professional development courses as well.

2. Only include the last 10 to 15 years of your experience

Another of our top tips for resumes for older workers involves relevancy. Instead of including every bit of work experience you’ve ever done, going back to the 1990s, stick to your up-to-date jobs by setting out your career summary in reverse chronological order, with your most recent role at the top. So for older workers - leave some jobs off your resume. 

Your best option is to only include relevant experience from the last 10 to 15 years. For a more detailed explanation of how far back to go, check out our blog on how many years of experience you need to include on your resume .

3. Avoid listing outdated skills 

Many resumes for older workers include outdated and irrelevant skills that can easily give away their age. Include skills, programs, and certifications that are relevant in today’s job market or required for the position you’re targeting. “Typing,” “Microsoft Word,” and “Google” don’t belong on your resume for an older worker or on your cover letter either.

4. Highlight your skills

No list of top resume tips for older workers would be complete without mentioning skills. Many older workers are reluctant to boast about what they excel at, but this is the one place where you can. Your resume for an older worker should highlight your qualifications as much as possible, and skills are an important part of that process. Just be sure to give a place of prominence to your technology skills as well.

Also, remember that most companies nowadays use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to automatically screen your resume. These applicant tracking systems automatically screen resumes to see if you’re a good match for the position. An average of 75% of candidates are rejected by ATS and, most of the time, the candidate is qualified; it’s just that their resume isn’t optimized.

Make sure that you use a standard resume format so that the ATS can easily scan your resume for an older worker. You should also include keywords (i.e., skills ) that are relevant to the position. Check out the job description and be guided by what’s on there.

5. Include a LinkedIn URL

The inclusion of a LinkedIn URL also has a place in any list of resume tips for older workers. If you don’t have a LinkedIn page by now, it’s definitely worth getting one. 

This is especially true if you’re looking for a role, as the connections that can be made there are so worth it--for extending your network and for giving you a better chance of finding that perfect position. Be sure to include a link to that page within your contact details on your resume for an older worker. Having a LinkedIn link on there also helps with your ATS score.

6. Use an updated word processor

Since many companies want to see electronic copies of resumes, your word-processing software deserves some attention as well. If you’re using an outdated version of Microsoft Word, upgrade it.

And if you’re using any other type of word processing software, consider switching to Word. It’s pretty much the gold standard for resumes for older workers and others these days.

7. Customize every time you apply

There’s no one-size-fits-all in the resume world, so don’t rely on one basic resume, hoping that it will cover all roles. It won’t. When it comes to tips for resumes for older workers, this one is critical.

Every resume that you submit must be tailored to match the desired position. That means using keywords from the job posting and narrowing down experience and skills to ensure that they’re relevant. The days of using the same resume for every application are a thing of the past.

Resume example for older workers:

Sometimes, it helps to see something to get a real idea of what to do. Notice in the following example how the additional professional experience is listed below without dates--strategic!

The good news is that these tips for resumes for older workers can help you avoid bias and give you a better shot at landing an interview. That’s the best way to ensure yourself a fair chance of convincing an employer or hiring manager that you’re the right candidate for the job.

Recommended reading:

9 Tips to Avoid Age Discrimination on Your Resume

 How Long Your Resume Should Be in 2023 (Expert Advice)

Best Email Subject Lines When Sending a Resume (With Examples)

Elizabeth Openshaw, Editor & Content Writer, Elizabeth Openshaw, Editor & Content Writer

Elizabeth Openshaw is an Elite CV Consultant with over 12 years of experience based in Brighton, UK, with an English degree and an addiction to Wordle! She is a former Journalist of 17 years with the claim to fame that she interviewed three times Grand Slam winner and former World No.1 tennis player, Andy Murray, when he was just 14 years old. You can connect with her at Elizabeth Openshaw | LinkedIn .

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4 Smart Moves to Age-Proof Your Resume as an Older Worker

With age comes wisdom and experience, but when you’re job hunting, being an older worker doesn’t always feel like an advantage. In fact, those who’ve been working for decades are often perceived as too expensive, lacking in the latest tech skills, or generally not as up-to-date as their younger counterparts. Though it’s illegal to discriminate based on age, it does happen.

“Ageism is an unfortunate and very real part of the job search for older workers, and for some it can start to creep into their experience as early as in their 40s,” notes Brie Reynolds, career development manager and resume writer at FlexJobs. “Because the resume is one of the first ways potential employers will learn about you, it's really important to make sure your resume guards against ageism as much as possible.”

If you’re an older worker about to embark on a job hunt or you simply want to update your resume in case a new opportunity arises, you may be wondering which information to include and what might sabotage your search. These expert tips can help you create a resume that will get you noticed for all the right reasons.

1. Focus on the Recent and Relevant

When you’ve been in the workforce for decades, you have a wealth of experience. But including it all in one document can be a liability rather than an asset if it overwhelms the reader—and makes them focus on your age rather than your fit for the job. While it’s tempting to showcase all you’ve done and achieved, it’s more effective to trim your resume down to the roles that best align with the specific position you’re seeking.

Resumes don’t need to be a single page . That said, your resume isn’t a memoir, says Gary Susman, an experienced digital marketer who recently landed a director position after a lengthy job search. “It’s just a marketing tool whose sole purpose is to land you an interview,” he says. “It doesn’t have to be exhaustive and comprehensive. It just has to show that you can solve the problem your hiring manager is hiring someone to solve.”

For example, while you may have fond memories of your time in an entry-level sales position 20 years ago, that role isn’t relevant if you’re pursuing an opening for a director of information technology.

Employers are most interested in how your recent work ties back to the job for which you’re applying rather than your experience from 15 or more years ago, according to Amanda Augustine, certified professional career coach and resume writer at TopResume . “Dedicate more resume space to detailing the positions you’ve held over the past 10 to 15 years that are related to your current job goals,” she advises. Leave off anything further back, unless it’s absolutely critical.

By including too much detail, older workers can also appear overqualified, says Nancy Von Horn, a career coach at Korn Ferry Advance. Rather than inundate a hiring manager with extraneous information, focus on the talents that truly set you apart and coincide with those the company is seeking.

“What do they need to know so you look like a great fit with the skills to do the job you are applying to?" says Von Horn, who suggests highlighting tech skills and listing ways you’ve stayed current in your chosen industry (such as trainings you’ve pursued and industry groups you’ve joined). “Remember, tailor your resume each time.”

2. Don’t Date Yourself

Ageism isn't always “a conscious effort,” says Reynolds. While they may not realize they're doing it, hiring managers can draw conclusions about an applicant's age based on all sorts of small clues. True or not, these inferences can trigger unconscious biases that affect your chance of getting hired.

Susman explains that when he included his number of years of experience, hiring managers told him he was “too qualified,” which he interpreted to mean they couldn’t afford to pay someone his age what his skills and experience were worth. He had better luck when he focused on more recent experience and made his age less obvious.

While you’ll have to provide dates in your work experience section, you can age-proof your resume by removing older roles as well as dates related to education and certifications if they fall outside that 15-year window, recommends Augustine. You can still name the institution you attended and the degree you earned, but you don’t need to include the year you graduated.

And “if you've earned any professional certifications, don't list the year that the certification was earned; but do provide each certification's expiration date,” says Timothy G. Wiedman, a retired professor of management and human resources.

While including a role you held or a diploma you earned two decades ago are obvious signs that you’re an older worker, there are other subtle clues that may reveal your age. Older professionals are sometimes thought of as lacking technological savvy. Don’t give employers a reason to believe you fit this stereotype by including, for example, an outdated email address.

“I made sure there was no indication of my age on my resume,” Susman says. “No mention of my graduation year, no old-school email address—if you have an AOL, Yahoo, or Hotmail address, ditch it and open a Gmail account.”

Once you’ve gotten that new email address, add it to the top of your resume, along with your mobile phone number and the URL to your LinkedIn profile, Augustine says. You can add your city and state, but you no longer need to include your full physical address. Removing it helps your resume look updated (and also guards you against your home address being made public wherever you post your resume).

Susman also recommends removing all mention of outdated or standard software knowledge. In other words, there’s no need to brag about your typing speed or your Typepad prowess. If, however, the position you’re going after requires extensive knowledge of particular software, technologies, or programming languages and you have those skills, definitely include them on your resume.

“By removing older dates, making sure your format is up-to-date, using a contemporary email service, and doing other small things, you can stop people from drawing the wrong conclusions about you when they read your resume,” Reynolds says.

3. Lean Into Your Resume Gap

Whereas some older workers have to overcome the perception that they have “too much experience,” others need to explain a gap in their resume. If you stepped out of the workforce to raise children or care for parents or have been unemployed due to layoffs, you may be wondering how to handle it on your resume.

Fortunately, hiring managers are familiar with resume gaps, so this isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm or worry. If you’ve been out of work for a while, don’t try to hide it. Be honest and be prepared to address your resume gap positively and professionally if you land an interview.

To get that interview, list on your resume the years you held each position before you left the workforce. Also, be sure to include volunteer and community engagement work you may have done in the meantime. If you were on a board of directors or an advisory board, add that, along with officer roles with responsibilities in national organizations and associations, co-op boards, parent-teacher organizations, and so on. List any achievements or skills you attained in those roles that meet the requirements of the job for which you’re applying.

“On a resume, volunteer experience is typically included after professional history or work experience,” says Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, author of Getting Back in the Game: How to Build Your Resume After Taking a Break . In most cases, volunteer experience is considered an addition to the resume, rather than a necessary component, she says, and would go in a separate section lower down. But if you have a resume gap that you’re hoping to fill and have relevant, skill-based volunteer work, you can include it in the professional experience section.

4. Highlight Your Achievements

While older workers may feel intimidated about the job search process, you have a credible ace in the hole that you can confidently present: data-based examples of how you've delivered impressive benefits and solutions for your employers over the span of the careers.

With that in mind, rethink outdated, dull phrasing, such as “responsible for,” and ditch bullet points that describe duties in favor of action statements that focus on achievements. “Discuss projects or departments where you worked in terms of the results you helped to accomplish,” says Sandi Webster, co-founder and Chief Learning Officer at Pandi Media, which focuses on empowering women through workshops, content, and seminars.

For example, instead of:

• Responsible for marketing materials and event promotion
• Responsible for keeping records to track contractor costs

You’d write:

• Created marketing materials and promoted events through social media, boosting attendance by 80% over a six-month period
• Developed and implemented a new record-keeping system, saving the company $12,000 per year in contractor costs

You might also consider including a summary statement at the top of your resume that quickly outlines what you have to offer based on your achievements to date.

It all goes back to crafting a document that sells what you can do for the organization if hired to fill the open role. By focusing on your relevant past accomplishments—of which you have many by this point in your career—you’re showing the recruiter or hiring manager how successful you could be if hired.

"It is easy to feel overwhelmed and insecure about a lot of things during a job search, your age being one of them, but don’t let this bog you down,” says Von Horn. It might take just a few strategic changes to your resume to get your foot in the door. And remember, Van Horn adds, that “people of all ages and with all kinds of obstacles get employed, so stay the course, stay positive.”

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How To Write a Resume if You’re an Older Worker

We'll cover how to avoid age discrimination, deal with career breaks and write your resume. Downloadable templates included.

3 years ago   •   9 min read

Like anything in life, there’s no one size fits all solution to writing a resume. This means that a lot of tips geared toward first-time job seekers can leave older employees with even more questions. Like: Do I really need an education section if I graduated a few decades ago? How am I supposed to fit thirty years’ experience on a one-page resume? And how I make myself appear younger on a resume to combat potential discrimination?

We'll cover those questions and more, but first, here are the most essential tips for writing a resume as an older worker.

Tips for writing a resume as an older worker

• Use a modern resume format or template
• Leave dates off your resume (including your graduation date, age, and date of birth)
• Don't list experience older than 10-15 years
• Customize your resume by tailoring your work experience and adding keywords
• Revamp your skills section to remove outdated skills and include new technologies

Highlight recent training

• Address any career breaks (including retirement)
• Emphasize your experience — it's a strength, not a weakness!

How to format your resume as an older worker

If you've been in the workforce — or out of it — for a long time, it may have been a while since you last updated your resume. If there's a chance yours is looking a little dated, here's how to quickly modernize your resume:

• Choose a clean, modern font like Arial, Georgia, or Helvetica
• Forget outdated style rules like using paragraph indents or double spaces after a full stop
• Stick to standard formatting, including default margins and spacing
• Upgrade to a newer version of Microsoft Word of switch to Google Docs
• Skip the hassle and download an ATS resume template

Leave unnecessary dates off your resume

We’d love to tell you not to worry about age discrimination, but unfortunately, it does happen. The best way to avoid it? Leave dates off your resume.

We’re not talking about dates of employment — those should always stay. On the other hand, if you graduated more than a decade ago, it’s perfectly fine to leave off your graduation date. And never directly list your age or date of birth on your resume — in fact, the fewer personal details you list, the better.

Only include your most recent and relevant experience

Here's a little-known tip: You don’t need to list every job you’ve ever held on your resume . In fact, if you entered the workforce 20+ years ago or have changed careers, you definitely shouldn’t.

Stick to jobs that demonstrate skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the position you’re applying for — 10-15 years of work experience is plenty, unless you’re applying for a senior-level position that explicitly requires longer.

Optimize your resume

If it’s been a while since you last applied for a job, you may not have had to deal with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). ATS are automated software that screen out applicants who don’t meet basic requirements by searching for set words or phrases and are used by an estimated two-thirds of companies.

What does this mean for you?

In simple terms, make sure the software can read your resume by including relevant keywords, avoiding images and decorate fonts, and uploading your resume as a pdf.

Embrace new skills and technology

The biggest concern hiring managers are likely to have is whether your skills are up to date. You can allay these concerns by listing technical skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Not sure exactly which skills belong on your resume?

• Check the job description for "must have" skills
• Use our skills and keywords finder to search for relevant skills in your role or industry
• Prioritize new or emerging technologies, like Software as a Service (SaaS) or Slack — especially if you’re working remotely.

If you need help finding new technology and hard skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for, use the tool below to get a list of relevant ones.

Another way to prevent your skills from getting rusty is to freshen them up with a short course or relevant certification. Search for reputable providers or well-known qualifications, especially if you’re looking for online courses.

Depending on how essential the qualification is to the position you’re applying for, you can list it at the top of your resume in your education section or resume summary, or at the bottom with your skills and additional information.

Address career breaks

Returning to the workforce after some time off — or even coming back from retirement? The good news is that gaps on a resume aren't as big a deal as they used to be.

The bad news is that you do still need to address it. The best place to do this is in your cover letter. Give a brief explanation of what you were doing (like raising children, traveling, or caring for a family member) and reiterate your enthusiasm for returning to work.

You can also deal with career gaps directly in the work experience section of your resume with a simple heading like “career hiatus” or "other experience," especially if you've used your time to volunteer or take on a personal project.

If you’re an older worker wondering what else, like age or graduation dates, should or shouldn’t be included in your resume, upload it to the tool below — it’ll perform a quick scan and let you know what to remove or add into your resume.

Leverage your experience

Older job seekers have a lot of advantages over those who are newer to the workforce, not least of which is a bigger network. Whether you’re returning to work after some time off, changing careers , or looking to move on after a long stint at the same company, it’s time to reach out to ex-colleagues and other professional contacts. Ask your network for potential job leads, advice, and connections within their company or industry — anything that can give you an edge over your younger competition.

Resume examples for older workers

Ready to start updating your resume? Keep scrolling for resume templates you can use if you're:

• An experienced worker seeking a high-level role
• Changing careers
• Returning from retirement or another career break

If you’re an experienced hire seeking a senior-level position

This is where your years of experience shine! Focus on your ability to lead a team , work in a high-stakes or high-pressure environment, and deliver results that affect the company’s bottom line.

In this template, we include only relevant experience — just the last 10-15 years is more than sufficient. We've left off older educational experience pre-MBA.

Download this template: Google Docs | PDF

If you’re changing careers

It might feel weird starting from scratch, but you can still include any skills or accomplishments from previous roles that are relevant to your new industry or role. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever held, but do focus on transferable skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the new position.

Download this template: Google Docs

If you’re returning after a career break

You don't need to explicitly say that you're ending your retirement or coming back to work after raising children , but you should include some explanation of what you've been doing with your time away from your career.

This resume template highlights the career break in an 'Other Experience' section, which is ideal for an older worker who's returning back to the workforce.

Common misconceptions about resumes for older workers to avoid

False: a fancy resume will make you appear younger.

Fancy resume formats aren’t impressive, and they’re definitely not going to make you appear younger or more in touch. On the contrary, they’re hard to read and demonstrate a lack of professionalism. Stick to a simple, standard resume format, like our ATS-ready resume templates .

FALSE: Your resume needs to include every job you’ve ever held

Your resume should be a brief summary of your most relevant skills and experience, not an exhaustive list of your entire professional history . Leave off any experience that’s much older or no longer relevant.

FALSE: You should include a resume objective

Resume objectives are outdated. They’re also particularly unnecessary if you have any kind of professional experience. If you’re changing careers or want to highlight key skills and experience upfront, a resume summary is a much better option.

FALSE: You should list familiarity with older technology

Including outdated skills on your resume won’t do anything but frame you as out of touch with current workplace norms. Unless you’re applying for a job as a fax machine technician or COBOL developer, leave proficiency with older technologies and programming languages off your resume.

FALSE:  If you have a lot of experience, you need an extra long resume

For older workers with more experience, a two-page resume is completely fine . There’s no need to try to condense 30+ years of experience onto a single page, especially if it’s all still relevant.

If you spent a long time away from the workforce — for example, because you were raising children or are changing careers — you may only need a one-page resume. Leaving off older experience altogether might be better if it avoids raising questions about long career gaps.

FALSE: It's okay to lie about your age on a resume

Never lie on your resume , even as something as seemingly inconsequential as your age. Omission is different from lying — it’s fine to leave dates of graduation off your resume, for example — but even a small lie can be grounds for immediate rejection.

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• Resume & CV

10 Top Resume Tips for Experienced Older Workers (30s, 40s, 50s) in 2024

With unemployment on the rise, there are fewer jobs for mature professionals. And the competition is fierce, with people in every age group vying for an ever-shrinking pool of jobs. 

That's why it's more important than ever for experienced older workers to create an eye-catching resume.  There are more older workers today than ever before , and sometimes ageism can limit the available opportunities. Learn more in our article on generational diversity.

The bottom line: good resumes for experienced professionals are now essential. If you're an older worker trying to make your resume stand out, you may wonder how to distill your experience to give you the best chance of winning the job. 

In this guide, you'll learn how to create a resume for older workers. We'll show you how to list old jobs on a resume and share sample resumes for people over 50. We'll also include expert tips on how to write a resume for older adults. You'll learn how to make your resume more competitive to help you get more job interviews.

Jobs For Mature Professionals - Getting Started With Your Resume

A resume, also known as the CV, is a summary of your professional experience, education and training, and skills. Recruiters use resumes to determine which candidates for the role are suitable for interview. That's why a resume is a key tool for anyone who is searching for a job.

If you're thinking about the ideal resume format for 50-year-olds, it's worth knowing that there are several types of resumes you can use in your job search:

• A reverse chronological resume lists your experience and job roles from the most recent to the oldest. 
• A functional resume focuses more on skills and ability than timing.
• A hybrid or combination resume that includes both skills and job roles. 

Learn more about resumes in What is a Resume?

When you look at resume examples for older workers, it seems that a functional resume could be the best choice. That's because by omitting dates, you won't be excluded because of your age. But, as you'll see later, it's not quite so simple. There are some dates you've got to include. 

Whichever type of resume you choose, most sample resumes for older workers have some common elements. These include an introductory section, contact details, and information about skills, experience, education, and training. We'll look at these in more detail in the next section. 

10 Tips on Creating a Resume For Older Workers

Here are some tips on the appropriate resume format for 50-year-olds:

1. Use a Functional or Combination Resume

As mentioned earlier, good resumes for experienced professionals often use the functional format. That's because this resume type lets you show off your skills before having to deal with dates of employment.  

Virginia Jeyapal of career services firm Shadow Management Consulting, advises:  

"There are many important elements to integrate and consider when writing a successful resume that will land a jobseeker an interview, hopefully many. I have seen mid-career professionals, as well as C-suite executives struggle with their branding and presentation on paper. My advice is always: focus on the achievements and the big wins. What is your ‘value added’? It is not just about performing the basic duties of the role, what did you do beyond that? List career accomplishments and big wins with as many quantifiable details, percentages, and dollar values. This shows that you are high-achieving, top-performing, and exceed expectations."

Wondering whether you should simply omit the dates on a resume for older workers? I'll tell you why this is a bad idea in the next tip.

2. Include Dates

Once upon a time, you might have got away with omitting dates of employment on a resume for older workers. That's no longer the case. Many recruiters use application tracking software (ATS). 

The software scans resumes automatically and may reject resumes without dates. That means that, instead of working in your favor, leaving out dates can actually cost you the opportunity to get an interview. 

Virginia Jeyapal says: 

"In the past 10-15 years, the most significant change to resume presentation and formatting is that resumes have had to be keyword optimized and scannable friendly and allow for easy filtering through ATS (Applicant Tracking System) and ranking algorithms. Resumes have had to adapt from being typewriter produced documents to online formats and layouts that need to be captured, read, interpreted, analyzed, and filtered. If your resume is not ATS optimized, content-rich, achievement-oriented, and reflective of industry requirements for the role, chances are you won’t be getting those interview calls."

But don't worry. It's not all bad news as you'll see in the next tip.

3. Limit the Timescale

Yes, you've got to include dates, but you don't have to include EVERY date. Most sample resumes for people over 50 include 10 to 15 years of experience at most. You can also leave out anything that's not relevant to the role you're applying for.

But play it by ear, comments Michelle Aikman on Glassdoor : 

"Consider how important the experience is to convey your ability to do the job and whether it is absolutely critical that you communicate your qualifications or past experiences with a timeline attached to it."

So, what if you've got relevant information from positions beyond that 10-15 year period? I'll look at how to handle that in the next tip.

4.  List Older Skills Under "Additional Relevant Experience"

If you're considering how to list old jobs on a resume, here's a good tip you'll see on many sample resumes for older workers. Create a section called "additional relevant experience". That's where you can list roles that relate to the job you're going for WITHOUT the dates. This makes it less likely that recruiters will discriminate against you based on your assumed age.

5. Leave Out Outdated Skills

If you look at a modern CV template for an older person, you'll see it looks a bit different from older templates. That's because the skills you've got to list are very different. Sure, 20 years ago, it was a big deal to be able to use Microsoft Office apps and different types of email software, but those are now foundational. If you list them as skills, it immediately dates your resume. Another tip is to avoid saying exactly how long you've had experience of a particular skill: it's enough to say 10+ years. 

Stephanie Holt , who advocates for women in STEM leadership, has this advice on skills from long ago:  

"It is critically important to have a real understanding about what the relevant skills currently are in your industry and to speak to those skills. Technology has made it so that over time what used to be considered skills are now considered a minimum requirement and those should be mastered but not mentioned."

6. Don't Date Your Education

In contrast, resume examples for older workers take a different approach to dealing with education. It's important that you've got it. When you got it is less important. So, you don't have to say when you got your undergraduate degree or postgraduate qualifications, unless these are very recent. And, since this isn't your first job application, leave your high school diploma off your resume.

Stephanie Holt comments: 

"While your age is not a secret, there is no reason to put the dates you attended college and possibly be eliminated from the pool of applicants before someone is able to see your real potential value to an organization. Your technical skills and complimentary skills (mentoring, leadership, team building) is what are important and highlighting those is the best way to show why you would be great for a role. Showing 15-20 years of experience and leaving dates off of education is perfectly acceptable."

7. Show Updated Training

When considering how to write a resume for older adults, there's one place where dates work for you. The dates are important when you're highlighting recent training courses you've taken. Listing the courses, along with the dates, shows recruiters that you're willing and able to learn, which is useful for potential new hires.

And if you've been out of work for a while, but have relevant recent volunteer experience and training, feel free to include that on your resume. You never know when your community spirit might help you get closer to an interview.

8. Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Even if they share the same title, every job posting is slightly different. Each recruiter will take a different approach to listing skills, requirements and duties. What's nice to have for one role will be a must for another. 

Business News Daily says that job candidates have to pay attention to these differing requirements:

"Some companies have very specific instructions as to what they want to see in your resume, cover letter and work samples. Failing to do what's been asked could mean an automatic no from employers."

That's why older workers don't just need one resume; they need several. 

Learn more about tailoring your resume to a job posting in the article below:

9. Format Your Resume Correctly

Here's another factor that can derail otherwise good resumes for experienced professionals: formatting. Using the wrong formatting can give away your age. Twenty years ago, people were putting double spaces after a period, and using Times New Roman or another serif font for their resumes.

That's all changed. The best resumes use sans serif fonts and single spaces after a period. Other factors that can date your resume include:

• Having a "resume objective". Instead, call it a "professional summary"
• Using a Yahoo or AOL email address. Try Gmail instead
• Having an unprofessional email address. Ensure you use a combination of your first and last name for best results
• Having the words "fax" or "landline". Recruiters expect you to have a cell phone and use this as the number on your resume
• No LinkedIn profile. Again, recruiters expect this, so include that link with the contact details at the top of your resume. 

Sound like a lot to manage? The next tip will show you how to create a great resume fast. 

10. Use a Resume Template

If you're concerned about getting resume formatting right, a good approach is to use a resume template. This makes it easy to create your resume the right way without having to think about fiddly details. A great place to start your search for a professional resume template is Envato Elements. You can download as many resume templates as you want for one low price. 

The right resume template will include section headings that match modern standards, the right fonts, and a beautiful layout. These will help you ensure that your resume gets recruiters' attention.

Modern Resume Examples for Older Workers

To find the perfect template to create a resume for older workers, check out the options in the articles below:

Learn More About Creating Resumes

Want more advice on how to write a resume for older adults? Check out the guides below for more resume creation tips:

Create Your Resume Today

Remember, when seeking jobs for mature professionals, you don't have to be at a disadvantage. Use the tips in this guide to help you create the perfect resume for your next job search. And don't forget to check out the resume templates on Envato Elements to help you craft an appealing resume. 

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How to Age-Proof Your Résumé

These tips can help older job seekers highlight their skills, not their ages.

Amanda Augustine,

Searching for a new job is challenging, regardless of how old you are. However, if you are 50 or older, you may face some additional hurdles.

According to AARP Research , nearly two out of three workers age 50-plus  (62 percent) think older adults face discrimination in the workplace today based on age and 93 percent of them believe that age discrimination against older workers is common in the workplace today. Their concern is justified. Government data shows that age 55-plus job seekers typically face substantially longer periods of unemployment compared with those job seekers between 20 and 24.

If you are concerned about facing bias during the job search, don’t panic. There are many things you can do to showcase the skills and experience you’ve earned during your career. The following tips will help you age-proof your résumé to help you stand out from the competition and land the right job.

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1. Focus on your recent experience.

The further along you are in your career, the less relevant your earlier work experience becomes. Employers care most about your recent work that matters for the roles they’re filling, not your experience from 15 or more years ago. As a result, give more detail about the positions you’ve held in the past 10 to 15 years that are related to your current job search, and say less about your earliest jobs. 

2. Eliminate older dates.

Remove the dates related to work experience, education and certifications if they fall outside the 15-year window. While you may want to consolidate older work experience in a separate section or a “Career Note,” including the dates of employment is unnecessary. Similarly, it’s important to share your credentials on your résumé, but the employer doesn’t need to know you earned your MBA more than 17 years ago.

3. Limit your résumé to two pages.

Most recruiters spend less than  10 seconds reviewing a résumé  before deciding if the candidate should receive further consideration. With so little time to make the right impression, it’s important to streamline your résumé to two pages. Focus on using this space to highlight your recent work experience and accomplishments that best match your current career goals.

4. Avoid the “jack-of-all-trades” approach.

Although you may have held numerous roles throughout your career, your résumé shouldn’t be a laundry list of everything you have done. Focus on tailoring your résumé’s content to support your current career objective, rather than providing a generalized summary of your entire work history.

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5. Optimize your résumé with keywords.

Seventy-five percent of all online applications will never be seen by human eyes, thanks to the hiring bots, which are software programs known as an applicant tracking system (ATS). Their job is to collect, scan and rank an employer’s inbound applications. To improve your résumé’s chances of making it past this digital gatekeeper and on to a human for review, make sure your document includes the appropriate keywords. If a word or phrase repeatedly shows up in the job listings you’re interested in, incorporate these terms into your résumé. 

6. Upgrade your email address.

Older workers sometimes are seen as lacking technical savvy. Don’t give employers a reason to believe you might fit this stereotype. Ditch your old AOL or Hotmail email account for a free, professional-looking Gmail address that incorporates your name.

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7. List your mobile phone number.

If you’re still listing your landline number on your résumé, it’s time to update your contact information. Only list your cellphone number on your résumé so you can control the voicemail message, who answers important phone calls from recruiters, and when.

8. Join the LinkedIn bandwagon.

LinkedIn is a valuable platform  for connecting with others in your industry and uncovering new job opportunities. It’s also an important place to advertise your candidacy to prospective employers. In fact, a study by recruiting software provider Jobvite found that 93 percent of employers admit to reviewing candidates’ social network profiles — regardless of whether the candidates provided that information.

If you’ve avoided using LinkedIn in the past, now’s the time to create an online profile that supports your career goals. Then, customize your LinkedIn profile URL and add it to the top of your résumé to ensure recruiters find the correct profile for you.

9. Showcase your technical proficiencies.

The fact that you know how to use Microsoft Office is no longer noteworthy (unless your role requires advanced knowledge of Excel). Show employers that you’ve kept up with the latest tools and platforms related to your field. If you’re in a nontechnical profession, create a small section toward the bottom of your résumé that lists these proficiencies. If you realize there’s a skill or tool outside your wheelhouse that’s routinely appearing in the job descriptions you’re targeting, check out sites such as AARP Skills Builder for Work , edX, Coursera and Skillshare to find free or low-cost online courses.

10. Customize each online application.

Small tweaks to the content of your résumé can make a big difference in determining whether your online application reaches a human being for review. Before you submit another online application, re-evaluate your résumé based on the job posting. Then, make small edits to customize your résumé so that it clearly reflects your qualifications for this specific role. You also might consider using a service such as AARP Resume Advisor, which offers free résumé reviews, to make sure you’re showing why you are a good fit for the job.

Join today and enjoy all AARP has to offer — including the AARP Job Board, a job search tool for experienced workers, a free resume review, plus savings on resume writing packages and online learning courses to boost your skills.

11. Ditch the objective statement.

Avoid using a run-of-the-mill objective statement that’s full of fluff and focuses solely on your wants and needs. Instead, replace it with your “elevator pitch.” In a brief paragraph, known as a professional summary or executive summary, explain what you’re great at and most interested in, and how you can provide value to a prospective employer. In other words, summarize your job goals and qualifications for the reader.

12. Aim for visual balance.

If content is king in a résumé, then design is queen. How your information is formatted is just as important as the information itself. Focus on leveraging a combination of short blurbs and bullet points to make it easy for the reader to quickly scan your résumé and find the most important details that support your candidacy. 

13. Focus on achievements, not tasks.

At this point in your career, recruiters are less concerned with the tasks you’ve completed and more interested in learning what you’ve accomplished. Separate each job under your work history into a short blurb that describes your role and responsibilities. Then, add a set of bullet points to describe the results you’ve achieved and the major contributions you’ve made that have benefited the organization. By bulleting these details, you’re drawing readers’ eyes to the information they care most about: your qualifications. Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments to provide additional context for the recruiter. 

Editor’s Note: This article originally was published on January 23, 2019. It has been updated with more recent data about age discrimination in the workplace.

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