How to keep age out of your resume and cover letters

(For Freshers)

A lot of older workers are finding themselves in the job market again having gone through layoffs. There is a way to make potential employers aware of the advantages borne of your experience without dwelling on the number of years you’ve been at it.
Embrace professional social networking sites

I’ve cautioned a lot of people about the pitfalls of being too involved in social networking sites, but these days it’s almost essential that, as a job candidate, you have some kind of web presence. If you make it clear that you don’t go for all that “trendy” stuff, then a prospective employer is going to wonder how open you will be to any new technologies that come down the pike in your day-to-day work. I didn’t particularly like the social networking thing myself at first but I’ve grown fond of it. I just try not to post any sepia-toned photographs of myself slamming back beers with Abe Lincoln.
Choose your adjectives carefully

It’s unfortunate, but to some people looking at your cover letter, the word “seasoned” could imply “world-weary.” (I was going to say “overcooked” but that seemed a little gross.) “Seasoned” might indirectly imply that technology doesn’t excite you and most employers want enthusiasm (at least initially, until they beat it out of you). Instead use words like “versatile” and “adaptable.”
Limit your list of experience

I see a lot of resumes from people who feel the need to list every job they’ve ever had. (Not a good idea, and is precisely why I don’t list that summer internship with Henry Ford.) You might think that a long, varied list of experience shows you’re well-rounded, but really, it might imply an unconscious desire on your part to cling to the past. List only jobs going back about 15 years. Think about it: Technology changes so quickly that your intimate knowledge of the Sinclair ZX80 isn’t going to matter in today’s tech job market. State your most up-to-date skills and remove any mention of obsolete technology.
Get a gmail account

If you want to be thought of as cutting edge, you might want to lose that earthlink url.

(Resume tips for older job seekers)



Did you know that by 2010 one of every three workers will be over 50 years old? You would hope that seasoned folks would be a welcome addition to any staff, but you never know in today’s youth-obsessed culture.

So what tweaks should you make to your resume to play down your age but play up your experience? Here are some tips.

* This may sound counterproductive to what I just said but avoid using the word “experience.” Instead focus on particular technologies you’ve had hands-on experience with. List projects you’ve managed over the years and their results. Employers are interested in your specific capabilities and achievements, not necessarily when they happened.
* Don’t hide your age, but don’t broadcast it. More than likely the people who are screening your resume are much younger than you. Avoid presenting an opportunity for subconscious ageism by not listing school graduations dates, etc.
* Avoid a chronological resume. Let’s say you have relevant experience that would suit the job you’re applying for, but you gained that experience three or four jobs ago. This is where functional resumes help the most. You should list your experience in order of relevance to the job applied for.
* Since you’re older, you probably may have worked at quite a few places. Extra-long resumes are not a good idea, however, so try to condense things down into two pages at the most.
* If it’s been 25 years since you last sent out a resume, know that electronic delivery is the norm now. Don’t fall under the delusion that post office-mailed resumes are more professional.
* Avoid references to out-of-date technology. You may be a Windows NT guru, but you want to give the impression that you are continually learning.