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3 Ways Your Resume Makes You Look Old

3 Ways Your Resume Makes You Look Old

For a variety of reasons, baby boomers are staying in the workforce a lot longer. However, this demographic faces a number of challenges, including experience discrimination, an issue where baby boomers struggle to get employment opportunities because millennials have enough relevant experience to be just as valuable, but at less of a cost.

Because the pool of baby boomer employees has grown so significantly, employers are starting to change their views on the 65 and up demographic, and are at least giving them a closer look. Just because you are of a certain age doesn't mean your resume should reflect that age!

One of the keys to staying attractive to potential employers is to not look or act out of date—in person or on paper. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't use a photo on your LinkedIn profile. Profiles without pictures only make recruiters and potential employers wonder what you may be hiding. And the truth is they are going to meet you during the interview process. So there's no reason to hide.

Still, there are many ways you can date yourself without realizing it. Here are three ways your resume can make you look old.

Having An Objective Statement


Older man on laptop updates his resume so it doesn't make him look old

Over the years, styles change. You wouldn't wear the same suit you wore 20 years ago. Unless you're a collector, the car you're driving looks a lot different too. The same is true for resumes. Having an objective statement on top of the resume used to be all the rage! They were used to let employers know that a candidate had some career direction.

Today, having an objective statement on your resume makes it seem obsolete. Maybe even worse than being outdated, an objective statement implies that your focus is on you.

Big mistake.

Like most of us, employers are listening to station WIIFM (what's in it for me?). They want to know how you can solve their problems. Removing your objective statement and creating a succinct experience summary (a list of skills at the top of your resume) updates your resume and puts the focus on what you can do for the employer.

Having An Old-Fashioned Email Address


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Back in the 90s, having an AOL email address indicated that you were ahead of the curve, an early adopter of new technology. That was last century. Today having an AOL email address, even a Yahoo email address, makes you look decidedly outdated.

The trendy email address to have today is Gmail. The good news is that Gmail is free and easy to join. No need to eliminate that old AOL email address—use it to keep up with friends and family.

When you do create a new email address, opt for one that sounds professional. For example, your name or a variation of your name that will look appropriate on your resume. Cutesy email addresses like talketome@ or carguy@ are best kept for personal use.

Too Many Clichés


One thing that's sure not to impress potential employers is a resume filled with clichés. Every day recruiters get resumes from out-of-the-box thinkers and team players. Tired phrases like detail-oriented or excellent communication skills are not likely to impress anyone either. Neither are bullets that begin with responsible for or duties included.

You're much more likely to get a recruiter's attention by including examples that actually show what you can do. That means a resume that highlights your skills and achievements. A resume that illustrates how you saved time, saved money, generated income, etc. for a previous employer.

Will making these changes make you look 20 years younger? Not likely. Nor should you want them to, particularly if you are looking for a more senior position. But they will keep your resume looking fresh and up to date.

Remember: Your resume may be the first time a potential employer meets you. Shouldn't it reflect someone who's on top of their game, who's still relevant and in demand in their industry?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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4 Ways To Take Advantage Of Being Unemployed



Unemployment: It's a situation that many fear that can lead to financial hardship and high levels of stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. For anyone who has been laid off, had their employment terminated, or quit their job, facing down the barrel of unemployment is a scary prospect.

For whatever reason you are out of a job, being unemployed is no time to be complacent. Instead, look at your period of unemployment as an opportunity to reassess yourself as well as reinvent yourself. They say that as one door closes, another door opens. Use this period wisely and that other door may be a giant leap forward in your career path.

There are many strategies you can use to help you empower yourself, take control of your situation, and make the most of the time you have on your hands.

Here are four ways to take advantage of being unemployed.

1. Volunteer


Unemployed professionals take advantage of volunteer opportunities

Take an interest in what is happening in your community and get involved. Join one or more local community groups and volunteer some of your time and expertise. Volunteering always looks good on a resume and showing an active interest in your community will be positively viewed by employers.

In addition, volunteering gives you the opportunity to network with people from all walks of life, and this, in turn, could lead to your next job.

Good points of contact are your local Lions or Rotary clubs.

2. Learn New Skills


Unemployed young woman on laptop takes advantage of her free time by updating her resume and learning new skills

Keep your mind active by learning a new skill. Potential employers will look positively on the fact that you have been using your time wisely to keep up with industry changes or develop a new skill.

A great place to start is with free or low-cost online courses. If you find the courses you want to take cost a good amount of money, think of them as an investment in yourself.

In addition, pay attention to any industry developments in the news so that when it comes time to apply for that dream job, you are prepared to discuss not just your role but the industry at large and how the skills you've developed will help you succeed in that role.

3. Work Out


Unemployed man works out

At such a stressful time, you need to take extra care of yourself. There's no excuse now for putting off starting an exercise regimen because you don't have the time. You have plenty of it.

You don't have to join a gym or get a personal trainer. Take up running or cycling, go on expeditions to explore your local area, or simply create your own at-home daily exercise routine and stick to it. You'll look better, feel better, and feel less stressed—all of which will boost your confidence.

4. Rework Your Resume/CV


Now is definitely the time to update and polish your resume. If you've been in the same job for a long time, it might be a good idea to research the best way to optimize your resume so it gets past the ATS.

In addition, start improving your online presence by creating or updating your LinkedIn profile and joining professional industry groups. This is all a form of networking and a great way for you to find opportunities that may not be widely advertised.

Also, sign up for daily job alerts and make your interview bucket list. The more targeted your job search, the easier it will be to find a job.

So, are you feeling a bit better about being unemployed? We hope so! If you want to take advantage of being unemployed, you just have to follow the four tips above.

Remember: Don't view unemployment as a setback. Think of it as an opportunity to improve your career—because that's what it is!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Easy Ways To Spring Clean Your Resume



The concept of "spring cleaning" also extends to your career. In fact, it's the perfect time to take a look at your resume and see what needs updating and what you can get rid of entirely. When was the last time you cleaned up your resume?

If it's been a while since you've updated your resume, don't wait any longer! Here are three easy ways you can spring clean your resume so it's ready for your next job search.

1. Update Your Skills (And Get Rid Of Irrelevant Ones)


One of the most important parts of your resume is the experience summary, which is a list of 6-8 skills at the top of your resume. (You can find resume templates inside Work It Daily's FREE community.) This helps your resume get past the ATS and stand out from the competition, allowing hiring managers to quickly see how you're qualified for the job.

When spring cleaning your resume, it's a good idea to update your list of skills, adding new ones and removing irrelevant ones. What skills have you developed? Which skills do you want to highlight in your job search? What skills do you need for the jobs you want to apply for, and how many of those do you currently have? Which skills are no longer relevant in your career or aligned with your career goals? Think about these questions as you decide which skills to include on your updated resume.

2. Quantify New (And Old!) Accomplishments


Man reads his resume

If you haven't done so already, when you clean up your resume, you should also quantify your accomplishments. In the bullet points under each position you've held, you don't just want to list your job duties. You need to talk about your accomplishments, what you achieved on the job. You need to quantify your work experience so employers can see exactly how you add value as a business-of-one. Each bullet point should include at least one number. For example, a car salesperson might write: "Sold an average of 12 cars per week."

Once you've quantified your accomplishments on your resume for your previous positions, it's time to think about your current job. What have you accomplished lately at your current job? Are there any past accomplishments you haven't quantified yet? Have you completed a certificate or received any awards? Whatever you achieved, chances are it can be quantified, and it definitely belongs on your resume.

3. Clean Up Your Formatting


Woman cleans up her resume

The easiest way to spring clean your resume is to simply clean up your formatting. A resume with an updated, simple format will be easier to read and have a higher chance of getting past the ATS. A resume with an outdated format will likely get tossed by hiring managers because it gives them the impression that you're old and/or out of touch.

Your resume should have a simple, clean format with consistent styling throughout the document. Bullet points and white space are also important. Choose a clean-line font like Arial or Calibri (11pt.), not a script font like Times New Roman. Also, make sure you have one-inch margins and no bold, italics, or underlining except in very specific places where you want to focus the hiring manager's eyes. When in doubt, a simple resume is the most effective.

We hope these tips help you spring clean your resume so it's ready for your next job search! If you need more help with your resume or with anything else in your job search, we're here for you.

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It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

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3 Easy Ways To Spring Clean Your …