How do you define “senior citizen”? Many people judge by retirement age, somewhere around 62 or older. Yet working past retirement has become more and more common. The American Advisors Group discovered that 18% of seniors plan to work past age 70, 12% plan to work for the rest of their lives, and 46% plan on joining the gig economy or working part time.
If you fall into any of those groups, you want to update your resume and LinkedIn profile to demonstrate:
- Continual learning. Whether you take a course, qualify for a certificate, or participate in company training, your willingness to learn is important, so be sure to highlight it in your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Up-to-date knowledge and skills. Companies appreciate candidates who keep up with technology, regulations, and current cultural trends, such as collaboration and equality, inclusion, and diversity (EID). In some industries, new acronyms and terms arise periodically; make sure you know what they mean and how to use them in your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Eagerness, energy, and flexibility. Hiring managers and recruiters will be evaluating your ability to contribute to a company physically and emotionally as well as through skills. You might have to work for a boss who is younger than you, for multiple bosses, or with a more diverse team than you are used to. Your resume and LinkedIn profile should offer examples of your adaptable and energetic approach to new experiences and challenges.
- Remote or part-time availability. If you only want remote or part-time work or prefer minimal travel, provide that information on your resume or LinkedIn profile—if it is relevant to the jobs you are applying for. These days, many companies specify in their job postings whether a position is fully or partially remote or totally on-site, full-time or part-time, and with or without travel requirements. The job posting may also indicate other requirements that may or may not be negotiable.
It may not be easy for seniors to find jobs even in this economy, as many of the “help wanted” signs are for positions that require a lot of standing, repetitive motion, or other physical requirements that seniors find more difficult to meet. But Robin’s Resumes® will help you create a resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile that will make the most of the experience, knowledge, and skills that you offer. Contact us today.