If you are part of the Baby Boomer generation, you may be feeling a little stressed out by the way the job market is going. You may find yourself being part of the corporate retirement crew and some younger staffer is slowly transitioning into your position. You are definitely not ready to retire, and its time to get yourself back out into the employment market. If you’re experiencing symptoms of age discrimination, you should know that your resume could be the cause.

Here are simple ways you can update your resume to keep yourself current and avoid being seen as “over the hill”:

Stay current with new technology- If you have recently taken a course or learnt a new technology make sure you mention these in your resume. If you are unsure about current technologies in your field, check online job descriptions within your industry to see what technologies employers really want. If technologies are missing in your resume, fill the technology gap by upgrading or learning the new skill sets.

Use current terminology- You may already have the technology. Over the years some technology terminology has changed, so all you have to do is replace the old terminology with the new. One way to bring your resume up to date is through publications from your industry’s professional associations or online job boards. Once you add the new terminology to your resume, learn to use the current terminology correctly and effectively.

Current with today’s trends in resume format and style- Resume format has come a long way over the years, so its time for a revision. Here are some trends to keep in mind:

• Avoid the one page resume; don’t limit showing all your knowledge, skills and experience if it’s related to the position.
• References Available upon Request is optional. This doesn’t have to be mentioned on your resume, since it’s assumed by the recruiter or employer.
• Avoid showing every job you have ever held. Only list jobs over the past 7-10 years unless it’s related to your current employment objectives. Remember too much irrelevant information will not capture a reader’s attention.
• Avoid the one resume good for all jobs approach. You should tailor your resume to different fields or industries. Also, have a standard Word format (for printouts and as email attachments), and a plain text version for online forms.
Let your years of knowledge, skills and experience work for you. Using these simple rules to update your resume can make all the difference and capture an employer’s attention. Make sure you keep your resume current at all times.

Information provided by HR Difference.

Our HR team specializes in providing small and medium sized companies with cost-efficient and customized human resources solutions to meet your need and budget. We also provide custom resume writing and telephone job interview coaching for job seekers

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