By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
EP 3093 Worried your resume makes you look outdated? This episode reveals how seasoned professionals can demonstrate decades of expertise without accidentally allowing themselves to be overlooked because of their age.
Overcoming barriers to finding a job after age 50
Hey, welcome. So, if you are a seasoned professional with years or even decades of experience, this is the product for you. We’ll dive into how to make sure your resume truly showcases the incredible value you bring without accidentally dating you in the process.
So let’s start by asking a tough question. Look at your resume carefully and carefully. Is it possible that it’s sending the wrong signal? Many seasoned professionals worry about this, but don’t worry.
This is a problem we can completely solve. This is something we have to figure out. Your extensive experience is your greatest asset.
Indeed. The trick is to build it the right way. This is not about hiding your history.
never. Instead, turn it into your superpower and make you an absolutely outstanding candidate. Well, the biggest, most important shift you can make starts right here.
You have to focus on your results, not just your responsibilities. It’s the difference between showing what you were supposed to do and what you actually accomplished. I mean, look at the difference.
Management team. Okay, it doesn’t matter. This is passive.
Over 50 and unemployed (this free resource will help a lot)
It’s basically just a line in a job description, but allows the team to cut costs by 15%. Wow. Now that’s an achievement.
It’s active, specific, and demonstrates your value in one sentence. This is the game-changing shift from responsibility to real impact. That 15% is right there, and that’s what eliminates all the noise.
Seriously. This is the kind of concrete, interesting number that makes recruiters stop scrolling and really pay attention. So if you remember anything, remember this simple rule.
Numbers always, always win. It doesn’t matter if it’s a percentage, a dollar amount, or a time frame. Quantifying your wins instantly adds credibility to everything you say.
OK Such strong results are half the battle. The other half is proving that you are relevant now, today.
You must show that you are not only experienced, but also adaptable and completely up to date. You have to make this clear. List the modern tools you use.
Talk about software you’ve mastered, new technology you’re using, or methods you’re currently using. This is how you bust any myths that your skills may be outdated. It proves that you can change with the times.
Now for the third strategy, this is where your experience gives you a serious, undeniable advantage. It’s time to focus on those advanced skills that, honestly, can only come from years of working on truly complex challenges. Think about these three pillars: leadership, problem solving, and mentoring.
These are more than just buzzwords for embellishment. They show that you can guide teams through difficult times, you can solve chaotic problems, you can develop the next generation of talent, which, by the way, is a huge asset to any company. This is your real secret weapon.
That intuition, that nuanced judgment, that strategic thinking all come from years in the trenches. This is something that young professionals, no matter how smart they are, just don’t have the time to develop. OK
We’ve discussed what to add. Now let’s discuss what to take away. A good modern resume takes into account not only what you leave out, but also what you add.
Resumes and LinkedIn: How to Highlight Your Old and New Careers
It’s time to be a little tougher with that editing pen. Look, this may sound straightforward, but it’s 100% true. Today’s hiring managers don’t need to know what you did 25 years ago.
Seriously. Cut out anything that isn’t directly related to the job you want now and focus on your most recent, most powerful accomplishments. So when you put all of this together, when you focus on results, highlight your modern skills, really play to your unique strengths, and remove all the clutter, your resume starts to send a completely different and more powerful message.
This is your new story. Every line and every point should embody these three key ideas. This is no longer just a boring to-do list.
This is a powerful argument that you have the right combination of experience, up-to-date skills and a forward-thinking attitude. Let’s not forget why we do what we do. The goal is not just to have a beautiful document.
Our goal is to create a tool that is so effective that you can actually get an interview. This is the difference between a resume that gets a second look and one that gets tossed aside. So after all this, I leave you with this question.
What story will your new resume tell? Because you have the ability to shape that story, turning all these years of incredible experience into the number one reason why you are absolutely the best person for the job.
I was interviewing for a job and noticed it had been reposted
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense career advice around the world because he makes so many things in people’s careers easier. Those ones Matters may involve job search, recruiting more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, and advice on solving workplace problems.
He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,000 episodes.
How to thrive in your career if you have a disability
You’ll find important information to help you with your job search on my new website, Job Hunting.Community In addition to video courses, books, and guides, I answer members’ questions about their job search every day. Leave your job search questions and I will respond every day. Becoming an Insider+ member gives you everything you get as an Insider+ member, plus you can connect with me via Zoom call to get your questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we offer individual and group coaching.
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