By | Rachel Pelta | www.flexjobs.com
While the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects most people over 40 from job discrimination, the reality is that the older you are, the harder it is to find a job. Whether you’re upfront about your age or it’s not revealed until later in the hiring process, older job seekers are often less likely to land the job.
Though ageism can and does still happen, there are things you can do to improve your job search when you’re over 50. Here’s how.
7 Tips to Help Your Job Search After 50
1. Update Your Skills
Even if you’ve been continuously employed since your teens, a lot may have changed since your last job search. From software to best practices, you need to be up to date on what’s in and what’s out.
To show that you’re “in touch” with your industry, consider taking classes or getting new certifications to show hiring managers you’re a lifelong learner who adapts to change. This, in turn, can alleviate concerns that you’re stuck in your ways or even unteachable.
2. The Long and Short of It
As an older job seeker, you probably have a lot of experience and are proud of it. You should be! However, to help you find a job after 50, consider not listing all of it on your resume.
In general, resumes are one to two pages. Anything longer could signal that you’re an older job seeker. So, while you may want to list all the jobs you’ve ever had to demonstrate you’re committed to working, consider limiting your resume to the last 15 years of your relevant work history. The only exceptions are if you worked for a major corporation or have very relevant experience outside those dates.