Ageism is illegal, but it still exists in the process of reviewing resumes. As a 50-year-old who has worked in the same position for 20 years, how can I avoid giving away my age on my resume?
1. Start With a Competencies List
Before knowing about your age or experience, try to attract the recruiter. Tell him about your ability, at the top part of your resume, below the contract. Write a summary of your knowledge or summary of giving the reasons to hire you. Do make a list of your qualities related to the job and immediately show them to the recruiter. For instance, if you work for HR, you might break out your specialty skills such as payroll, recruiting, benefits, etc. Do not list highlights because your abilities recommend Ladders, such as that you are loyal and reliable.
2. Keep It Current
When you want to complete your resumes for 20 years of experience, update the documents. Don’t write worthless things! You might be proud of your 20 years of achievements but just focus on your recent accomplishments. Your résumé should be only related to the past 10 to 15 years. The worst thing is that to show you have weakened after a great start. Nobody likes to employ someone who is near the end of his life. Add any software or hardware you have learned, any conference or a workshop you’ve attended, and any certification you’ve got to show you are updated in your job.
3. Diversify Your Experience
Working for the same employer does not show you have worked in the same position. It will be perfect for your résumé. Categorize your job into different roles and post you have had for a decade or so. List the positions as though they are other jobs, although the employer is the same. It indicates that you were active in your career. It’ll give more information to the recruiter about your abilities.
4. After All, it’s a Marketing Tool.
Although it might be mentioned in your history, your résumé should not be a biography or historical document. Do not mention the past 20 years. Create a marketing tool. Your résumé must look like an advertisement to sell you. It must answer questions such as why they should hire you over someone else. What you will bring and what your achievements are. Make it in a way that the recruiter wants you without paying attention to your age or employment history.
