While employment discrimination based on age is illegal, certain aspects of resume can lead to unintended bias, notes Grammar Chic. More and more people are extending the life of their career and working well into their 60s or 70s. However, many older adults are concerned that their age may be a turnoff to future employers who are looking to hire a younger workforce that may stick around longer and is more tech savvy. Grammar Chic highlights tips for updating resumes to remove some age-related red flags.
“Age shouldn’t impact your ability to get a job, yet oftentimes it does,” says Amanda Clark, CEO of Grammar Chic. “Crafting your resume in a way that highlights your abilities and accomplishments and doesn’t emphasize details related to age can help ward off some unconscious bias by hiring managers.”
The inclusion of dates is a key factor, and they can pop up in several different ways. Consider removing graduation dates from education and certifications unless they are recent. It is okay to have a degree completed in 2016 noted but no dates with older degrees. Also, limit career history to the past 10 to 15 years. Older experience can be removed or condensed so the focus is on more recent jobs.
“Don’t forget to look at your email address too,” says Clark. “If you use ‘JSmith1960,’ that could be perceived as the year you were born, regardless of whether it is. Try to keep specific years out, especially if they’re older. Look at updating the email provider you use as well. Platforms such as AOL and Hotmail have been around for a long time. Switch to something more current such as Gmail, even if you only use this email address for job-related correspondences.”
Another helpful strategy involves the actual content of the resume. Job seekers who start off exclaiming they have “more than 25 years of experience” or are a “seasoned professional” are automatically dating themselves. Consider less specific ways of expressing this such as “a wealth of experience,” “extensive experience,” or “diverse experience” and then going on to emphasize key abilities. In addition, replace outdated objectives with a solid summary of qualifications.
Also, though subtle, use only one space between sentences instead of two. Using two spaces was common when typewriters were popular, but in the digital age, using a single space has become more of the norm. Little details can make a difference.
“Look at your resume with a critical eye to catch anything that may allude to your age,” says Clark. “And when it comes to your LinkedIn profile where a photo is included, ensure it’s something recent and professional, not a glamour shot from years ago. You want the attention to be on what you bring to the table, how you can benefit the company, and why you’re a great fit for the role, not your age.”
Grammar Chic helps job seekers to align their resumes with current expectations to help reduce ageism and present themselves in a positive light. To learn more about these services or schedule a consultation, contact Grammar Chic at (803) 831-7444 or resumewriting@grammarchic.net.
ABOUT:
Grammar Chic is a comprehensive professional resume writing service that specializes in helping job seekers boost their appearance in the job market. This company offers in-depth consultation allowing candidates to explore their job history and skill sets. With a series of services — from entry-level to senior executive resume packages — Grammar Chic can provide the level of insight needed to ensure clients come out with a clean, polished, and appealing resume.
Those looking for resume and cover letter assistance are invited to contact Grammar Chic at (803) 831-7444 and tune into Twitter and Facebook for updates.
Media Contact
Company Name: Chic Resumes
Contact Person: Amanda Clark
Email: Send Email
Phone: 803-831-7444
Country: United States
Website: http://www.professionalresumewriters.net/
Source: www.abnewswire.com
