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Tips for Finding a Job As an Older Worker

Tips for Finding a Job As an Older Worker

by | Mar 23, 2026 | age discrimination, job search

It May or May Not Be Your Age.


If you're an older worker, you have probably applied for a job, and wondered if you were passed over because of your age. While other reasons may be atr play, you are justified in wondering. Age discrimination is definitely a concern. While you can't stop employers from considering your age, there are other factors well within your control.
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10+ Things Older Workers Can Do to Keep Themselves in the Running

 

1. Remove graduation or attendance dates from your educational information.

2. If you've had more than one job in the last ten years, just list the last ten years of employment. If you have to go back further to show you've had more relevant experiences, do so. If older jobs are not relevant, "demote" them - just list the basics: title, dates, employer, and location - under an "additional experience" heading.

3. If your skills are dated, take an online course or two. If you have LinkedIn Premium, you can take any LinkedIn Learning course for free, and when it's completed, add it to your profile. Then you can add a "Continuing Education" section to show you are doing your best to stay informed about current tools and practices. It's not the same thing as getting a new degree or industry credential, but it shows you're an active learner and trying to stay current with your skills.

4. If you do creative work but don't have an online portfolio, create one. Behance is a great site that makes it easy. Or you can create your own website and feature some of your best work there. https://www.behance.net/

5. Update both your resume and your LinkedIn profile. Make sure to align content across both to convey your top experience, skills, and achievements.

6. Use a modern resume format. Key areas include:

  a.) A target job headline. (Switch out to match the exact title each time). Applicant Tracking Systems will score you higher if the exact job title appears at least once in your resume. Recruiters and hiring managers will see that you have made some effort to customize your documents for a specific vacancy.If you are uncomfortable having a title that might imply you have more seniority or experience, or that a reader might think you are exaggerating, just add "Candidate for [job title] as the headline. It's clear and factually correct.

b.) Have a Professional Summary after the headline. It should be no more than 5 lines, and should give a an overview of who you are (professionally - title, place in organization, number of years experience, what you are best at (top skills -make sure they related to the target job), and what impact you've had on your company/customers/etc. or that an employer can expect you to have if they hire you.

c.) Have a skills list. Don't use columns - you will get more keywords in if you list them in series, with bar separators (the | character). I make my skills lists 9 points, because it makes longer lists seem more reasonable/less overwhelming. Review the job posting for the top skills needed and make sure they are in your skills section. If you don't have a skill, don't lie. Just think of a similar skill you have that might imply your ability to learn the new skill.

d.) In the jobs section, list your job title first, not the company. What you did is more important than where you did it. Put them in bold so they stand out.

e.) Use bullets with each job, and whenever possible, convey the same ideas as in the summary (what role you played, skills you used, what you accomplished) or use the P-A-R (Problem- Action(s) taken-Results formula to explain what you accomplished and what skills you used.

7. Network with anyone who can tell you what a target job requires, or who can give you context about the company culture and how to present your best argument. People closest to you aren't necessarily the best advocates. They like you and just want you to be happy and have a job. A second-level contact can provide you with objective feedback about the company, its culture, and what hiring managers might prioritize in hiring for the job. They would also want to vet you before referring you for a job. Nobody wants to be the person who sends unqualified people to HR.

8. Learn to use LinkedIn for job searching and networking. Optimize your profile by having a well-written "About" section. Start with the ideas in your professional summary. You can make this feel more personal by writing in the first person. Add as many relevant skills as you can. They give you up to 100 skills. A newer feature allows you to click on each skill and connect it to all the jobs/education/volunteer experiences where you used a skill. Do this for every skill. It helps the search algorithm, and you will show up in more relevant searches by employers or people wanting to connect with you. Also, since it's a newer feature, most people don't realize they can do this, so you will be ahead of those folks.

9. Use LinkedIn regularly. Post something once a week if you can. Sharing photos or videos helps because people engage with them, and they rank higher in search results. I realize that many people think LinkedIn is a waste of time, and it can be. But it is actually three things: a search engine (where employers are searching for people like you); a tool (only as good as you use it), and a map between where you are now in your career and where you want to go (and the most important waypoints in between are people who can help you). As an older worker, you have to show you understand how people connect using LinkedIn. It's a basic skill for younger workers. You need to level the playing field by understanding the game. It will also put you ahead of competitors in your age range, because they don't know how to use it.

10. Give yourself permission to look for an "ideal" job. Also, acknowledge that it is a fictional job. Just make a list of your "must-haves," and "can't-haves," the skills you want to use, and the kind of company or work environment you want to work in. Then allow yourself to prioritize finding a job with as many of those "must-haves" as possible, where you will be able to use your top skills.

Focus on making targeted arguments that convey not only your skills, but also your accomplishments and motivation. As much as you can, include statements in your cover letter and resume that convey your motivation, coachability, willingness to learn, and your "fit."

The average resume doesn't convey these ideas enough (or at all). Most resumes lean toward explaining qualifications. Those are the basics that employers SCREEN They HIRE people who show they are skilled, accomplished, motivated to do the job, willing to learn, coachable, and will "fit."

Often, the "most qualified" candidate isn't the one hired. Why? Because the employer thinks they won't stay, will find the job boring or beneath them, aren't willing to learn or accept feedback, or that they will disrupt their department or team. If they can see your potential, your motivation, and your willingness to learn, it helps them imagine how you would fit in and contribute. This is especially important for older workers. If they think you're an "old dog who can't learn new tricks" or possibly a feral and angry lone wolf, they won't hire you.

One last thing: if your circumstances require income that you don't have, get a throw-away job so you can pay the bills while you look. Don't overcommit to this job. Do a good job, put in your hours, and go home. Then try to be polite and give notice when you get a better job, if you can. Sometimes, a throwaway job keeps you busy and interacting with other people, rather than dwelling on the job search and feeling anxious. I worked as a cashier at Lowe's for five months a few years back while I was looking for new options. The pay wasn't good, the hours varied, but the people were nice, and getting out gave me the better mindset I needed at the time to find the next thing.

I know this is a lot. Good luck in your job search!

Phrases to Avoid Using in Your Cover Letter

Phrases to Avoid Using in Your Cover Letter

by | Nov 13, 2025 | cover letters, job search

Stand Out With Straightforward Language and Proof of Your Skills

When crafting a cover letter, many job seekers fall into the trap of relying on tired clichés and vague statements. While these might seem like safe bets, they can actually diminish your chances of standing out in a crowded applicant pool. Below, we’ll explore common phrases to avoid and suggest more impactful approaches, drawing on practical advice and examples.


Why Avoid Common Cover Letter Clichés?

Employers sift through countless cover letters, many of which sound nearly identical. Phrases like "I think outside the box," "I go the extra mile," or "I’m an independent self-starter" are so overused that they risk wasting precious space and making you blend in with all the other candidates.

It astounds me how many job seekers begin their Professional Summary by stating something like “Highly skilled and motivated self-starter with a demonstrated history of working in [x field." In addition to sounding incredibly generic, it makes three unverified claims: the person is “highly skilled,” “motivated,” and “a self-starter.” As the reader, I don’t want claims; I want proof. "Any of these cover letter clichés, and others like them, risk wasting space and making you sound like all the other candidates out there,” notes Amy Bergen, a career columnist at Idealist. Instead of making claims, lean on statements that stand on their own, that you can back up repeatedly with relevant evidence throughout your resume.


Present Your Evidence

Back up your arguments with hard data. Some examples of evidence that stand on their own include:

  • Years of experience
  • Industries you’ve worked in
  • Companies you've worked for
  • Types of projects you've worked on
  • Measurable impact you've had on things like:
    • Revenue and sales
    • Process Impro
    • Manual work reduction
    • Company growth
    • Customer satisfaction
    • Uptime/downtime
    • Employee satisfaction
    • Conversion rate
    • Cost reduction

Phrases to Skip—and What to Write Instead

“I’m highly organized.”

Don’t just tell employers you’re organized—show them. Instead of using this phrase, briefly describe a system you implemented or a process you streamlined, quantifying your impact when possible. According to Andrei Kurtuy, Co-Founder and Career Expert at Novo Resume, “Strong, case-specific language will make your resume stand out and clearly communicate your value to potential employers.”

“I have excellent communication skills.”

This phrase is so general that it doesn’t tell the reader anything memorable. Rather than stating this, provide a concrete example: did you lead team meetings, deliver presentations, or launch a new product? Share those details. Additionally, use the Editor in Microsoft Word or a tool like Grammarly to identify misspelled words and grammatical errors. It’s no use claiming you have “excellent communication skills” if your copy says otherwise. After correcting any errors, read through the document and consider asking a friend to read through it. Sometimes you may spell a word correctly but realize you used a similar but altogether wrong word that the checker missed because it was a correctly spelled word, just the wrong one. Reading through the document a few times or getting a second set of eyes on it reduces the possibility that errors create confusion for the reader or create an impression that your communication skills need improvement.

“I thrive in a fast-paced environment.”

While adaptability is essential, this phrase is generic. Instead, cite a specific project or achievement that required you to adapt quickly, emphasizing measurable outcomes.

For example:
  • “Streamlined project workflows by prioritizing deliverables based on urgency and business impact, reducing project completion times by 20%.”

“I’m a quick learner.”

Employers want evidence, not empty claims. Illustrate your ability to learn fast by mentioning how you mastered a new software or process in record time and the results it produced.

For example:
  • “Mastered the company's proprietary data tracking system within one week, leading to department-wide adoption of a new training method, leading to a 20% increase in team productivity.”

Use Numbers and Metrics

Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Saying “Supervised the marketing team” describes a job duty. “Supervised a four-person marketing team, comprised of a copywriter, editor, photographer, and designer,” illustrates the scope of your supervisory responsibilities. With a few extra details, you’ve provided a more concrete example of your leadership acumen. Those extra details may help you stand out from your competition.

Make Yourself Memorable

The ultimate goal is to ensure the reader remembers you. When a hiring manager has hundreds of resumes to review, things start to blend together. Tell your story by including examples of your unique achievements. When you say something different, your materials stand out.

Final Thoughts

While it may be tempting to fall back on familiar phrases, doing so can hurt your chances of making a lasting impression. Replace clichés with specific examples and quantifiable results. By doing so, you’ll not only avoid sounding like everyone else—you’ll give employers a clear reason to remember and consider you.

Why Customizing Your Resume for Each Job Matters More Than Ever

Why Customizing Your Resume for Each Job Matters More Than Ever

by | Nov 5, 2025 | career planning, job search, resume advice

Many job seekers make the same mistake: they send a single “master resume” to every job posting and wonder why they don't get a response. In a job market where competition is fierce and attention spans are short, a generic resume is the quickest way to get overlooked.

If you want to stand out, you have to show employers exactly why you are the right fit for their role—and that starts with customizing your resume.

Here are seven reasons why tailoring your resume for each target job is one of the smartest moves you can make in your job search.

1. Your Relevant Experience Immediately Stands Out

Recruiters skim resumes in seconds. In fact, the average first review lasts 7.4 seconds, according to an eye-tracking study conducted by the Ladders in 2018. A targeted resume highlights your most relevant experience, skills, and achievements—making it clear that you’re not just qualified but strategically aligned with the job at hand.

2. Applicant Tracking Systems Will Rank You Higher

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen applications before a human ever sees them. A resume that mirrors the language of the job description—with the right keywords and phrases—has a much better chance of making it past that first hurdle. Begin by studying the job description to identify the key skills an employer is looking for. Then, rewrite your resume to incorporate the exact skills and keywords mentioned. When possible, incorporate the keywords multiple times. This approach will increase your odds of being ranked higher by ATS, and (hopefully) being read by a real human being.

3. It Highlights Your Impact

Past performance is a good indicator of future results. Customizing your resume allows you to spotlight achievements that align with the company’s goals—whether that’s driving revenue, leading teams, managing client relationships, or improving operational efficiency. When a recruiter sees the impact you’ve had in previous positions, it’s easier to imagine what you can do for their company.

4. It Shows You’ve Read the Job Description and Meant to Apply for a Specific Opportunity.

Employers can instantly tell when a resume was crafted specifically for them. According to Jobvite’s 2022 Job Seeker Nation report, 83% of surveyed recruiters say they’re more likely to hire a candidate who has tailored their resume to the specific job they’re applying for.

Customizing your resume communicates initiative, professionalism, and genuine interest—it signals that you’ve done your research and you understand what the organization needs.

5. It Tells a Great Story. (Your Great Story.)

A customized resume connects your past experiences to the employer’s current challenges. It transforms your work history into a focused narrative that clearly explains why you’re the natural next hire. For some ideas on how to create a “storytelling” resume, check out this article from Employment Enterprises, Inc., and this video from Career Care Package.

6. It Sets You Apart from the Competition

The vast majority of applicants recycle the same document for every role - 90%, according to “Shocking Resume Statistics" collected by Cardinal Staffing. When you take the time to tailor yours, you immediately stand out as a thoughtful, detail-oriented professional who takes their career—and the employer’s needs—seriously.

7. It Prepares You to Totally Rock Your Interview

The process of customizing your resume helps you clarify what’s most relevant to the position. That focus carries over into your interviews, preparing you to deliver more confident answers that are directly tied to the employer’s priorities.

The Bottom Line

A customized resume isn’t just a tactical tweak—it’s a strategic advantage. It’s about telling the right story to the right audience at the right moment. When you tailor your resume, you move from applying for a job to positioning yourself as the ideal candidate.

Need assistance with creating a targeted resume? Work with me! Schedule your intake meeting using Calendly.