Imagine this scenario: Gary has been job hunting for the past 10 months after being laid off by his previous employer. He has a ton of experience and excellent references, but here’s the catch: he’s 61. While he’s sent out countless resumes, he worries that he’s already aged out of the workforce.
At the same time, he’s not ready to retire — financially or otherwise. He’d like to keep working until at least 65 when he qualifies for Medicare, but he also loves his work and isn’t ready to give it up just yet. Still, he’s willing to work part-time or take on contract jobs, so long as he can keep working.
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Gary isn’t alone in his worries. Almost three in four older Americans (74%) believe their age could be a barrier in getting hired, according to a survey by AARP.
And these days, feeling the impacts of ageism can start much earlier than your 50s or 60s, with nine in 10 workers aged 40+ feeling “pressure to conceal their age or downplay their experience to avoid negative perceptions,” according to MyPerfectResume’s Generational Attitudes in the Workplace Report.
Here’s how Gary (or any older worker) can spruce up a resume to catch recruiters’ attention.
How to make your resume stand out
While you should never hide who you are (or lie) for a job, there are ways to make a resume stand out — without highlighting your age. For example, you could emphasize your skills, certifications and accomplishments rather than job titles or seniority.
You could also focus on the past 10 to 15 years of your career history and omit older jobs if they’re not directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. While you may want to mention graduate or postgraduate degrees, you could omit the dates.
Rather than sending out a generic, lengthy resume with every job you’ve ever had since high school, you could trim it down to one or two pages and tailor it for the specific role or company.
For example, by researching the employer’s pain points, you could use your resume to demonstrate how you’d be the right person for the job. Also emphasize soft skills and transferable skills.
Since Gary is willing to work part-time, he can reframe part-time work as a strength, positioning this as a strategic choice rather than a fallback. To do this, he could tailor applications toward consulting, contract or project-based roles, using language such as “open to flexible roles” or “seeking purpose-driven part-time work.”
Demonstrating that you’re continually learning and staying on top of industry changes can also set you apart. For Gary, that might mean going back to school, getting the latest certifications or attending industry conferences.
Sending out resumes is made even more challenging these days because of AI filters. Recruiters nowadays often use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to assess resumes, which requires applicants to use the ‘right’ keywords to even get a second look. You can typically find these keywords directly in the company’s job description under sections on requirements or responsibilities.
No matter how good your resume, applying for jobs can be discouraging at any age. But older workers also tend to have larger networks, which can be key to finding a new job. Work those contacts and check your LinkedIn profile to see if you know anyone who could help you land an interview.
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Why seniors are staying in the workforce longer
Ageism in the workforce is happening at a time when the older workforce is growing by leaps and bounds. There are now about 11 million seniors in the American workforce, quadrupling in size since the mid-1980s, according to Pew Research.
The same research found that 19% of adults aged 65 and older are employed (compared to only 11% in 1987), while workers aged 75+ are the fastest-growing age group in the workforce.
Why? Older Americans tend to be healthier and have higher education levels than in the past, according to Pew Research. Plus, many employers have shifted away from defined pension plans (which encouraged workers to retire at a certain age) to 401(k)s.
Older Americans may also opt for ‘bridge jobs’ — part-time or gig work — as a transition toward full retirement. That could even mean going back to a former employer and asking for temporary or contract work, which wouldn’t impact your severance package if you’ve been laid off.
In some cases, older Americans may be interested in a career switch. Maybe you finally want to pursue your ‘dream’ job or a long-dormant passion. Maybe your work has become too physically demanding and you want to work with your brain, not your hands. Or maybe you want a more flexible work environment, where you can work from home or choose your own hours.
In some cases, volunteer work could turn into part-time work (such as at a hospital), or seasonal work may be available (such as at tourist attractions).
Older Americans could look for part-time work from one of the 1,000+ employers across America who are part of AARP’s Employer Pledge Program — meaning they’ve committed to building an age-inclusive workforce. The AgeFriendly Institute’s Certified Age Friendly Employer (CAFE) program also identifies companies that maintain policies, practices and programs supporting people aged 50+.
Some employers are specifically looking for part-time or flex employees — and that’s something that older Americans can use to their advantage. If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits and Medicare, then you may not need a full benefits package, which could give you a leg up.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
