Don't Date Yourself

No one ever hires a resume, but your resume is often the "first impression" a hiring entity will have of you. Many job seekers who are over 50 years of age make some common mistakes in resumes that will get them overlooked. There is no second chance to make that first impression.

Many resumes written by 50+ job seekers are composed in outdated formats and are in a chronological format. Be sure to research current resume outlines and construct yours accordingly. Any search engine will supply you with numerous links with the information, and look at several and find one that you are most comfortable with. Supply information on positions held and company names and your specific contributions but omit dates. Title this section "Recent Work Experience" and supply number of years spent in the organization, for Example: XYZ Company, City, State, VP of Operations, 8 years. This is especially important if you are trying to re-enter the workforce as well.

Avoid words like "seasoned", "weathered", "tested", "veteran" as these instantly age you. Hiring companies see them as buzzwords for those who are older. Presenting solid accomplishments without the fluff is going to get your phone to ring. Do not minimize your contributions but describe them accurately and don't be modest.

If the company requests your resume via email, send it by email. Paper resumes are passé until you are in the interview. Be sure to include a great cover letter. Cover letters are still important despite some opinions that state otherwise. An effective cover letter will make the person who reviews the resume eager to review yours. Cover letters should be tailored to the specific qualifications of the job for which you are applying and to the specific employer.

Convey through the style and content of your resume an understanding of the company's needs, priorities, and hiring criteria. Avoid self-flattering terms such as "highly skilled, outstanding, or excellent." Describe your accomplishments effectively and let readers decide for themselves that you are well qualified. Focus on measurable achievements in each role as opposed to a play-by-play of your daily responsibilities

Proofread carefully and in addition, ask others to proofread for you. You can never be too careful. Hiring managers perceive mistakes as a lack of interest, unprofessional and unintelligent. Pay close attention to your email address and phone number, as it is suicide to have those critical pieces of information incorrect.

In a world of social networking, everyone has become their own brand and you will need to show companies what you represent. Include your Twitter and blog URLs, or your Linked In profile, so potential employers can learn more about you as a person. If you don't have any of these accounts, start now. It is vital for potential employers to know that you are current on social media. Twtbizcard is another great way to capture all of your 2.0 IDs. Of course, double-check by googling yourself to make sure there isn't anything you wouldn't want a potential employer to see on your sites.

Finally, remove "References Available Upon Request" at the bottom of the resume. Employers expect that you will supply references and you should have them available , preprinted, when you go to the interview. You are dating yourself and wasting valuable space on the resume.

The most minute details make all the difference. The most successful candidates are those who are ready and willing to adapt to the changing employment landscape. It doesn't matter how ready you are for the modern workplace if your resume is straight out of the dark ages. You may not be able to turn back the clock but you can make your resume attractive to hiring companies no matter what your age!