Struggling to get interviews?
Writing a resume later in your career comes with its own set of challenges. Whether you’re returning to the workforce, changing careers, or continuing down your current path, you may be concerned about how your profile will read to employers.
Use the following tips to write a resume that is clean, professional, and aligned with 2026 hiring standards.
Check our step-by-step writing guide for a complete refresher on resume writing.
Resume writing tips
Resume gaps and age disclosure are a cause of concern for many older job applicants. The following tips will help you keep the employer’s focus on what actually matters — your strengths and experience.
If your experience is continuous, list it chronologically
If you’re continuing your career, list your work experience chronologically. Start with your most recent job and work backward in time.
The chronological resume format emphasizes your career growth, making it easy for employers to see how your skills have developed over time. It’s also the most common resume format.
Include your job title, employer, dates of employment, and key achievements.
Recent job entry
Senior Operations Manager
Bridgeview Logistics, Columbus, OH | March 2018–Present
- Led a team of 12 across two warehouse facilities, improving on-time delivery rates by 18%
- Reduced annual supply costs by $140,000 through vendor contract renegotiation
- Implemented a new inventory tracking system, cutting order errors by 25%
Focus on recent work experience if you can
Employers will be most interested in the past 15–20 years of your work experience. List earlier experiences briefly if your resume is longer than two pages.
Sharing decades of experience can overwhelm the reader and obscure your most relevant strengths.
Early job entry
Operations Supervisor, Bridgeview Logistics | 2009–2018
Warehouse Coordinator, Pacific Crest Distribution | 2003–2009
Include recent volunteering or part-time experience
Your work experience section is not just a history of your full-time positions. Include board memberships, community engagement, parent-teacher roles or part-time work.
Any experience that demonstrates relevant skills and expertise will add to your value as a candidate. It can also help you bridge employment gaps by demonstrating your continued engagement with your profession.
Use a functional or hybrid resume if you haven’t worked in a long time
If you’re returning to the workforce, you might find it difficult to fill out a traditional resume without drawing attention to your career gap.
Functional resumes and combination resumes are a useful work around. Functional resumes focus on your skills rather than your work experience, while combination resumes use a hybrid approach that shows both your skills and career growth.
Use a functional resume if you’re applying for an entry-level role that doesn’t emphasize previous experience. Employers won’t need to know about your job history, so your resume’s alternative layout will work to your advantage.
Combination resumes are better if you’re applying for a role that does require some previous work experience. As they list your skills before your experience, you’ll still be able to emphasize your up-to-date professional knowledge.
Emphasize your relevant skill-set
Use your work experience to demonstrate any transferable skills or industry practices that could help you in the new role.
Read the job description closely for any specific tools, responsibilities, or software that the job involves. Mention these where relevant in your work experience section to show employers you can apply these tools effectively.
Resume formatting tips
Most employers today use a type of recruitment software called an applicant tracking system (ATS) to process job applications. Many ATS tools use AI to read and organize job applications for employers. If your resume is formatted with these tools in mind, your applications are more likely to be surfaced by the ATS, and in turn, prioritized by hiring managers.
Thankfully, modern formatting is straightforward. The following tips will help you get your resume ATS-ready.
Use an ATS-optimized resume template
Most companies use a type of recruitment software called an applicant tracking system (ATS) to scan resumes, sort them by relevance, and filter out unqualified applications.
For your resume to display cleanly and perform well on these systems, you need clean formatting and a logical structure that the ATS can easily understand.
Achieving the right formatting is easy if you use an ATS-optimized resume template. These templates are designed and worded to parse easily into ATS software so qualifications display clearly.
Here are a few examples:
Keep it concise
The ideal resume length is 1–2 pages, even if you have a decades long career.
A concise resume is easier to follow. If well written, it’ll show the employer how your skills and experience fit in with their needs by focusing on the qualifications that matter most.
Tips for managing your resumes length
- Focus on the last 10–15 years of your career if your resume runs long
- Add a short career summary of key relevant accomplishments
- Cut outdated achievements, skills, or responsibilities (e.g., maintaining fax correspondence)
- Only list essential degrees and diplomas in your education section
Name your file professionally
Save your document with a clear name that the employer can easily find.
You should include your full name, target job title, and the term “resume.”
Jane_Smith_Resume_Nurse.pdf
Save your resume as a PDF
A PDF is a file type that displays cleanly on any computer. Sending your resume as a PDF is the safest way to ensure that the employer can open and read your resume without any trouble.
You can convert your resume into a PDF using any word processor. Here’s how to convert your resume in Google Docs or Microsoft Word:
- Click File
- Select Save As (or Download in Google Docs)
- Choose PDF as the file format
- Name your file and save
Outdated information you should cut
Knowing what to cut from your resume will make your application look clean and up-to-date.
Your postal address
Postal addresses made sense when resumes were sent by mail. Today, employers get in touch via email or phone.
List your town or city instead. Your general location shows employers you can commute to the role — or, for remote jobs, that you’re in a workable timezone.
Personal information
Leave off any information that relates to your nonprofessional background. Personal details contribute to hiring bias and influence employer decisions, so they don’t belong on your resume.
Remove these details from your resume
- Marriage status
- Race
- Religion
- Political affiliation
- Age
- Gender
Obselete skills and technology
An outdated skills section can quickly undermine your resume, particularly if you’re applying for a digital, remote, or tech-based role.
Remove dated hardware skills unless specifically requested by an employer. Mention relevant legacy skills briefly and group them into a single bullet point so they don’t take up too much space on your resume.
References
Don’t put references on your resume, or the phrase “references available upon request.”
References take up considerable space on your resume, and employers rarely need to see them when you make your initial application.
Some employers will request references after reviewing your resume. You should think of 2–3 potential references to send later if requested by the employer. Your references can include former employers, mentors, clients, or coworkers.
Resume examples for older workers
To give you an idea of what hiring managers expect from you, here are three examples of resumes for older workers:
Resume for a worker with 25+ years of experience
This example resume shows how to present multiple decades of work experience without overwhelming the employer.
James Wilson
PR MANAGER
Northampton, MA 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | linkedin.com/in/j-wilson/| j.wilson@email.com
SUMMARY
Public relations manager with extensive experience delivering PR results. Expert at formulating and managing marketing strategies for organizations in the education and corporate fields. Excited to apply a wealth of industry knowledge to the open Vice President of Public Relations position at Mondelez International.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Public Relations Manager
SMITH COLLEGE, Northampton, MA
March 20XX – Present
- Oversee all public relations, media outreach, and marketing needs for the organization’s 15 departments
- Write, supervise, and distribute marketing materials through various channels
- Coordinate the appearances of 20+ scholarship athletes for photoshoots, and radio, TV, and newspaper interviews
- Analyze the performance of marketing media, increasing exposure by at least 12% each quarter
Assistant Communications Manager
HEMMINGWAYS COMM. LTD., San Antonio, TX
May 20XX – March 20XX
- Worked closely with senior executives to brainstorm and implement strategy
- Delivered branded messaging and proactive news stories across all media channels
- Increased brand awareness by marketing company and clients’ products, directly contributing to $4.5 million in annual sales revenue
Public Relations Officer
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, Austin, TX
January 20XX – April 20XX
- Worked cohesively with other team members to create strategies and campaigns that increased enrollment by 9%
- Wrote and proofread 8+ monthly press releases
- Responded to questions and inquiries from the press, public, and other organizations
Marketing and PR Associate
DELL INC., Austin, TX
July 20XX – Jan 19XX
- Coordinated and strategized with department heads to formulate and deliver 10+ monthly press releases
- Cold called local and national media outlets to find interview opportunities for marketing managers
- Trained 5 interns in answering phone calls and emails, researching data for press releases, and data entry
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Communication
LASELL UNIVERSITY, Newton, MA
Honors: cum laude (GPA: 3.6/4.0)
Bachelor of Science in Public Relations
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, Austin, TX
Honors: cum laude (GPA: 3.6/4.0)
AWARDS & HONORS
- Marketer of the Month, Hemmingways Comm. Ltd.
- Bright Idea Award, Texas State Public Relations Association (TSPRA)
- Best Innovator Award, Dell Inc.
SKILLS
- Expertise in industry-standard CRM management software (Salesforce, Blackbaud, Oracle Eloqua)
- Well-versed in remote communication technology (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet)
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of social media marketing (LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook)
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
- Native-level fluent in English and French (Quebec), conversational in Spanish (European) and Italian
Resume for older worker returning to work
Here’s an example of how to write a resume when returning to work after a career break:
Abigail Lopez
HEALTH CARE MANAGER
a.lopez@email.com | (123) 456-7890 | linkedin.com/in/a-lopez
SUMMARY
Driven health care manager with 15+ years of experience directing and leading various departments. Proven expertise in providing solutions and meeting internal and external stakeholder needs. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills coupled with problem solving and analytical skills.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Health Care Manager
Prattville Baptist Hospital, Prattville, AL
Jan 20XX – Present
- Managed 8 departments and 370+ employees
- Ensured the hospital’s policies and operations complied with local, state, and federal laws
- Represented the institution at 12+ weekly meetings with internal and external stakeholders
- Managed a $2.3 million budget for business travel, overhead costs, and payroll
Assistant Health Care Manager
Jackson Hospital, Montgomery, AL
May 20XX – April 20XX
- Created shift schedules for 40+ direct care providers
- Managed a $400,000 annual budget for procuring medical supplies and equipment
- Supervised 25+ clinical staff in day-to-day operations
- Demonstrated knowledge of policy and health procedures in daily operations at the hospital, during joint medical forums, and in performance reviews
Clinical Services Supervisor
Baptist South Hospital, Montgomery, AL
Jan 20XX – Dec 20XX
- Supervised 20+ nurses and healthcare staff in a busy inpatient unit
- Coordinated with physicians and department heads to improve patient care processes, leading to a 15% increase in patient satisfaction
- Developed staff training programs, reducing errors in patient care by 10%
Healthcare Administrator
St. Vincent’s, Birmingham, AL
Jan 20XX – Dec 20XX
- Oversaw daily administrative operations for a 100-bed facility, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations
- Managed a $400,000 annual budget for procuring medical supplies and equipment
- Implemented electronic health record systems, increasing efficiency and reducing paperwork by 20%
Additional Experience
Jan 20XX – Present
Volunteer work: Habitat for Humanity, River Region United Way, and the Dannon Project
EDUCATION
Master of Science, Healthcare Management
Western Governs University, Millcreek, UT
Bachelor of Science, Health Information Management
Western Governs University, Millcreek, UT
CERTIFICATIONS
- Certified Healthcare Manager (CHM) – American Institute of Healthcare Management
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification – University of Alabama, College of Continuing Studies
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) – National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)
SKILLS
- Microsoft Office
- Slack and Zoom
- Google Docs/Sheets
- Epic Systems
- Oracle Hyperion
- CPT
- Spanish (fluent)
Be prepared to explain your resume gap in interviews. Talk about relevant skills and life lessons you learned during your career break.
Resume for a retired person
This former car sales manager has 25+ years of experience and is applying for a consultancy role:
Omar Neruda
AUTOMOTIVE SALES MANAGER
Dallas, TX 75201 | yourname@email.com | (770) 625-9669
SUMMARY
Automotive sales professional with 30+ years of experience in the industry, excelling in client relations, team leadership, and sales strategies. Consistently delivered outstanding results in vehicle sales and customer satisfaction. Seeking to contribute expertise in a part-time or consulting role within the automotive sales sector.
WORK EXPERIENCE
General Sales Manager
LONE STAR AUTO GROUP, Dallas, TX
Jan 20XX – Dec 20XX
- Led a team of 35 salespeople, driving a 10% increase in total sales over three years
- Managed inventory for both new and used vehicles, ensuring optimal stock levels and rotation
- Developed partnerships with local businesses, boosting fleet sales by 20%
- Introduced monthly sales challenges, which increased individual performance by 15%
- Honored as “Sales Leader of the Year” in 20XX
Sales Manager
TEXAN MOTORS, Fort Worth, TX
Jan 20XX – Dec 20XX
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of a 25-person sales team, achieving consistent monthly growth in both vehicle sales and service packages
- Worked closely with manufacturers to coordinate promotional events, increasing foot traffic by 18%
- Revamped showroom layout, improving customer experience and increasing overall sales by 12%
- Mentored junior sales staff with 8 team members promoted to senior roles during tenure
Sales Consultant
AUSTIN MOTORS, Austin, TX
Jan 20XX – Dec 20XX
- Helped generate over $1M in sales annually by consistently meeting customer needs and exceeding expectations
- Increased upselling of warranty and service packages by 10% during the last 3 quarters
- Recognized by management for exceptional customer satisfaction scores, maintaining a 4.9/5 average rating
Sales Consultant
TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, Austin, TX
Jan 20XX – Dec 20XX
- Consistently exceeded monthly sales targets by 15% through tailored customer consultations and effective negotiation strategies
- Provided exceptional service to over 50 clients per month, maintaining a customer satisfaction rating of 95% or higher
- Actively upsold Toyota service packages, warranties, and accessories, generating an additional $50,000 in annual revenue
- Conducted vehicle test drives and product demonstrations, highlighting key features to match customer needs and close sales efficiently
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Business Administration
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, Austin, TX
Honors: cum laude (GPA: 3.7/4.0)
CERTIFICATIONS
- National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) – Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
- Automotive Training Institute (AI) –Automotive Sales Management Certification
- Automotive Dealership Institute – Certified Finance & Insurance Manager (F&I)
SKILLS
- Team leadership and sales strategy
- Customer relations and retention
- Inventory control and forecasting
- Contract negotiation and pricing strategy
- Expertise in new and used vehicle sales
- Sales training and coaching
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Outlook, Salesforce, TFS Project Management
AWARDS
- Sales Leader of the Year – Lone Star Auto Group
- Top Performer – Lone Star Auto Group
- Customer Satisfaction Excellence Awards – Texan Motors
Make your experience shine
About the Author
Seb is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 10 years of combined experience in career counseling and editorial work. With a MA in International Communications from National Chengchi University (Taiwan), he helps job seekers translate their experience into employer-ready applications for global job markets.
