Job Searching Over 50?

3 silly mistakes that give away your age

50. The big 5.0. And, sh!t, you’re on the job market.

Read this before you send out another resume.

I’m a recruiter and author of a best-selling book, “Hired!”. I love dishing on all of my “insider secrets” to make job searching easier.

I’ve been interviewed as a job search, resume and interview expert throughout Canada. In fact, I just did a morning show interview a few days ago on this very topic: Job Searching Over 50.

Here’s the link if you’d like to watch the television interview clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/CLwwW_hADi6/?fbclid=IwAR3iKEPHJLG7YbeXOhzsR4YPlf32xMHYEzJ7Wre19iAhXHmkshLch3eP57I

(I’ll write another story about the heart-stopping 10 minutes before going live….my laptop camera failed. OMG. Thank goodness, my iPad was only a short sprint away — but, the camera angle was just weird. But, that’s for another day!)

1. Don’t lead with your years’ of experience. We’re all taught to be very proud of our years of experience. As we should be!! BUT, it can be hurting your search. Erase any lines like this: “30 years’ experience in XX.” Why? Well, a few reasons — the person pre-screening your resume might get the impression you’re really, really old. GRIN. OK, to be clear, you’re not old. And, the role you were doing 30 years ago isn’t likely the job you’re looking for now.
2. Don’t go back to the beginning of your career on your resume. Just don’t. See above. Go back 10, maximum 15 years on your resume. And, delete any date or reference to the 80’s or 90’s. I loved those amazing eras! But, those dates do not belong on your resume.
3. Remove old graduation dates. If you’ve left the year you graduated from high school on your resume, well — you’ve just told the hiring manager exactly how old you are. And, NO ONE needs to know that secret! Remove the dates of post secondary degrees, diplomas and certificates once they are 10 years in the rear view mirror. Leave the education on — ditch the dates!

I’ve got upcoming articles on how to do a career pivot, how to cover gaps in your resume and more! Till then, get rid of any age-give away dates! Thanks for reading!

Here’s a few more articles:

I write about recruitment, interviewing, resume writing, job searching… all with a dose of humour. (Yes, I’m Canadian… we leave the U’s in our words). I’ve authored two books, best-seller, “Hired! How To Get The Zippy Gig. Insider Secrets From A Top Recruiter.” & “Unexpected Mentors. Weird & Creative Ideas To Boost Your Career.” Both can be found on Amazon. www.sheilamusgrove.com