Job Search: Age-Proofing Your Resume

Older job hunters fear interviews where their age cannot be concealed and where an initial response of dismay on an interviewer's face, quickly hidden, confirms their anticipation of discrimination. The mature job seeker often prefers the anonymity of mailed resumes, e-mailed inquiries, internet applications, and telephone contacts.

Interviews, however, are the goal of everyone who wants to work. There is so much pre-selection and screening before an interview is granted that simply getting that far in the process provides at least some expectation of an offer being made. It is when interviews are not forthcoming that real concern is needed. Ask yourself if you may be inadvertently triggering screening filters by the documentation you submit.

Review the following three "red flags" and identify if your own presentation could be outdated and needlessly sabotaging your employment campaign.

1. Old Educational Data.

You may have obtained a degree or completed a vocational course many years ago. While you obviously cannot change the year of your graduation, you can concentrate on detailing other training received more recently. Any classes, workshops, or seminars attended over the past couple of years, even something in progress, stamps you as an individual who is continuing to learn and grow, someone aware of recent developments and open to new ideas and up-to-date approaches.

2. Job Titles.

The title of a job is designed to explain, in brief, your typical duties. Over the years, such titles change even when tasks and responsibilities remain similar. Review the titles on your resume that may reflect what your position was called at the time but no longer meshes with the current business environment. "Secretary," for example, is now rare. Similar job duties, flexed for innovations in technology, are now referred to as "Administrative Assistant," "Office Manager," "Office Analyst," or "Personal Assistant." Review your local classifieds and concentrate on the titles that seem to involve job tasks you have performed in the past. Then review your resume and applications and update job titles accordingly.

3. Jargon.

You probably have a resume which lists the duties and responsibilities of each of your prior positions. Re-read those descriptions, concentrating on the actual words you have used, especially the verbs (actions). Do those descriptions date you? Some obvious phrases are the old "variety duties" which is now generally called "multi-tasking," and "assisted with" now translates as "customer service." "Typing speed," so ubiquitous thirty years ago is now invariably "keyboarding skills." There are many other less obvious areas. A way to address them is to go to the newspaper or internet and review a number of job descriptions in your field. Any words or phrases that are unfamiliar to you need to be researched as they may describe a task you have previously performed under a different description. If you cannot find the information you seek, check with a library, an employment agency, or someone in the field. If the new phrase fits you, substitute it in your resume and all future applications. If it is important enough to be included in a job description, it deserves your attention and neglecting the required investigation may doom your job search efforts.

Your goal is to have a potential employer read your resume and be familiar with the terms you use. It is your responsibility to be adaptive, flexible, and avoid being screened out due to inappropriate vocabulary. Don't expect an employer to take the time to figure out whether you really have the skills being sought. Remember that resumes are used to screen OUT - to reduce the "possible interview" pile to a manageable size.

When your resume and written applications have been meticulously age-proofed, practice the same terminology verbally, with a friend, to be ready for a thoroughly up-to-date self-presentation when that inevitably soon-to-be-scheduled interview arrives.

Virginia Bola operated a rehabilitation company for 20 years, developing innovative job search techniques for disabled workers, while serving as a respected Vocational Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers' Compensation Courts. Author of an interactive and emotionally supportive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://www.virginiabola.com

---

Could You Write Performance Reviews For Money?

Writing performance reviews can be an excellent way to earn... Read More

Thankk-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career

There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More

Resume That Effectively Promotes You!

Imagine for a moment that you have created a wonderful... Read More

The Interview - A Few Tips for Making a Great First Impression

Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities... Read More

Personal Grooming: 8 Top Reasons Why You Can?t Take It For Granted In Your Career

Most people when they landed "the dream job" after an... Read More

Job Offers and Pay Negotiations

When you first get the job offer it will often... Read More

Is Your Resume Doing ITS Job?

Is it opening doors to new opportunities? Does it compel... Read More

Q & A How to Find a Great Search Firm

Q & AQ: Are people sometimes cautious of 'headhunters'?A. Yes.... Read More

Learning a Foreign Language

Many people love learning languages or would like to learn... Read More

Job Hunting Tips: Containing Anxiety

It hangs from the ceiling above your bed while you... Read More

So You Want To Be a Nurse When You Grow Up?

You're interested in becoming a nurse. How do you get... Read More

Job Hunting Tips: Organizing Your Attack

Looking for work is an energy-devouring ordeal, often leading to... Read More

Be Prepared for the Unexpected

How long has it been since you last had to... Read More

Turning Their Loss Into Your Job Gain

It isn't the end of the world, even if it... Read More

Retirement: Is It A Career Change Option?

Retirement might be the answer when you ask yourself "why... Read More

Job Hunting: Its Still The First Impression Stupid!

In the 1992 USA Presidential election, political strategist James Carville... Read More

Ten Great Careers For Single Parents

The challenges of raising a child by yourself, whether you're... Read More

Career Education Options For Working Adults

Ask yourself this question: "Do I like what I do... Read More

Employment Screening Today ? Are Online Database Searches Enough?

In today's employment environment, HR managers are faced with the... Read More

Pre-Interview Web Research

You have obtained an interview -- congratulations! You feel prepared... Read More

Can You Tell Me Something About Yourself!

Interview Question, "Tell Me Something About Yourself?""Tell me about yourself"... Read More

Career Job Satisfaction - Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!

Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!We can... Read More

How To Power Negotiate Your Next Bonus

A raise in your base salary is a permanent source... Read More

Interview Thank-You Letters

The number one etiquette tip for interviews is writing a... Read More

Ive Got the Big Bad B Word on My Job!

That "B" word---B O R E D O M.How did... Read More

Job Search Blurts

I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More

Successful Job Interview Tips

Congratulations! You've finally landed that job interview you've been waiting... Read More

Interview Quicksand

How will you respond when you're asked the following two... Read More

Nine Ways to Tell Youre Ready for a Promotion

So you noticed the new job board posting on your... Read More

You Are Not Entitled to a Job!

Résumé TipsSome basics about job hunting...First of all, nobody owes... Read More

How to Be Prepared for a Layoff

If you are concerned that your company might be planning... Read More

Unemployment Blues: Mind Over Mood

Our lives are tranquil and smooth so seldom, it seems.... Read More

Job Interviews: Plan Your Appearance to Make a Great First Impression

Your personal appearance is a critical component of that all-important... Read More