There is a Correct Way to Show Your Years of Experience on Your Resume

Workers that are over the age of 40 hit the job market and many times they hit a wall. They submit resumes but never get an interview. There could be a reason why that many haven’t considered. Are you showing your years of experience on your resume correctly?

Job seekers over the age of 40 scores of times take an approach that there is no reason to repackage what they have characterized as crucial moments in their careers. Basically many typically update their traditional chronological designed resume with briefly recounting current projects and deducting a couple of lines from the bottom shortening mentioning a job they left nearly 25 years ago. This won’t cut the mustard.

There are those that have the opposite train of thought; I will be whatever they want me to be. They produce a functioning resume that will only include what they believe is necessary for the job they are in search of. The resume appears fabricated.

There is one other option or choice that can function for you, a resume that can highpoint your latest and greatest achievements to entice young recruiters and hiring personnel. A resume tailored to the particular position they are applying for and not pandering to each job down to every detail posted. Subtle changes to your current resume will work for this approach.

You don’t need to hide your work history dates, simply don’t use all of your work history. Many experts maintain that anything more than 10 years old is immaterial because work has transformed so considerably. Various times when it comes to your education, there are numerous degrees that may be identified as expired. One option is to include dates on a time limited work history but delete them from the education section of your resume.

Boasting about depth of experience can also “age” your resume. Recent accomplishments that are related to the current employment position by design mark the candidate as more youthful. As you create your resume, compare it to one that a younger candidate for the same position would create and you know what the employer is searching for.

In addition, claims of years of experience can also make you appear “overqualified” for a position.  You can side step this issue by somewhat playing down prestigious projects that aren’t directly applicable to the current opening the company has.

These are several steps to take toward reflecting years of experience on a resume correctly to avoid aging your resume or being overqualified for a position.

Looking for Work over the Age of 40

With our current economy many are having a difficult time finding work. Looking for work isn’t an issue, finding work is the hurdle to cross.  There are multiple reasons why workers in the community over the age of 40 are having a hard time finding employment.

Unfortunately, age discrimination exists. Two of the highest reasons for age discrimination are the fact that many employers assume that workers over the age of 40;


1.       will cost employers more than an younger worker in benefits and salaries
2.       know less about technology than their younger counterparts

In order to combat the assumption that over 40 means more salary and more benefits, you want to advise the employer that you do have other motivations for working other than salary. You don’t want to appear desperate (even if you are). Provide the employer with you value added to the company. What inspires and motivates you to work.

Old dogs can learn new tricks and it’s vital that you get this point across to your employer. You can demonstrate to employers how active your ability to learn is. Advise them you are committed to lifelong learning.

Additionally, if you have had previous employment experiences that didn’t involve working with computer or internet technology, you need to bone up on your new tricks. Research has shown that people continue to learn well into their 50s and 60s.

You can take computer classes at the local community colleges, online or purchase software that can instruct you on computer basics. Get comfortable around them and on them.  One way to show that you are on top of things is to build a blog, website, Facebook or Twitter page and post that link in your resume.

Remember when you use social networks that employers will be viewing this information so keep the content business like or set your privacy settings for what you allow them to see. There have been employers that have refused to offer a job based on information on an applicant’s social network page.

Being over the age of 40 doesn’t mean you are out of the race; you just need to try some new running shoes and run the race you’ve won many times before.

Going for an Interview with an Attitude to Get a Job

Although this blog is concerning resumes, occasionally I will add other things surrounding employment. This article is interviewing information. Comments and questions are appreciated.

Getting an interview in this current employment climate is important and critical. If you do get an interview, you are among the lucky and the few. When you receive the interview you want to do everything possible to be the one to obtain the job. This article can supply you with information to make that possible.

Your attitude says a lot about you. Unspoken language many times is just as important as spoken language. When you present yourself to the human resource manager or interviewer, have a great attitude. Leave arrogance or anything else negative at home and don’t bring them to the interview or work with you. If you want the position, don’t have the attitude that they need you. If they needed you, you would be the one behind the desk conducting the interview instead of the other way around.

During the interview, even if asked, avoid any negative commentary about any previous employment positions you have had. Your negative comments should be held back in general or specific incidents or terms. If asked why you left your employment, use general or non-specific terms that relate to advancing yourself or position in your niche. Truly if something was very negative with previous employers you would want to leave to advance yourself or find a better position, correct?

Leave your cell phone on off during the interview. This is distracting to you and the interviewer and frankly considered rude. Currently, the most important thing over the next 20 or so minutes is the interview at hand. If you answer your phone during the interview this can say a couple of things about you that may or may not be true.

• 1.       Easily distracted from the task at hand
• 2.       Will you use your cell phone instead of doing your job while at work

Use your listening skills well during your interview time. By asking the interviewer to repeat themselves you may relay the intent that you cannot follow directions well or don’t pay the best attention to detail. Listen well and take your time answering. Make sure you answer in full sentences and refrain from using industry jargon or slang.

Take time to research the company you will be interviewing with. Educate yourself on a little background and history. Most companies have websites that will make this fairly easy and simple to do. Therefore, if any general questions are asked about the company, you can answer. In addition, if asked where you would like to see yourself within the company in a year or two, you can honestly answer. You can also ask an honest question about the company if you have one.

After the interview, make certain you thank them for their time and the opportunity to be a part of the team. In addition, ask when they may make the final decision for the position. Knowing when their decision will be made can allow you to know when you can expect an answer and you won’t make a mistake of calling them back early before they are ready to make their final decision. This also saves you anxiety over when and how they will contact you.