How do I write a resume if I haven’t worked in 30 years?
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Writing a resume can feel daunting if you haven’t worked in 30 years. However, even if you haven’t been in the workforce for a while, you still have valuable skills, experiences, and accomplishments to highlight on your resume. Here are some tips to help you create a resume as a senior citizen:
Start with a summary statement: Your summary statement should briefly introduce your essential skills, experiences, and goals. This can include any relevant volunteer work, community involvement, or personal experiences demonstrating your strengths and interests.
Focus on Transferable Skills
Even if you haven’t worked in a traditional job for a while, you still have valuable skills that can be transferable to the workforce. These may include communication, problem-solving, time management, organization, and leadership skills. Identify the skills that you have developed in your personal life and highlight them on your resume.
Highlight Relevant Experience
Even if you haven’t worked in a traditional job, you may have relevant experience that can demonstrate your abilities. This may include volunteer work, community involvement, or personal projects that showcase your skills and abilities. Be sure to describe these experiences in detail and highlight the skills that you used.
There are many ways to highlight relevant experience on your resume unrelated to traditional work experience. Here are some examples of how you can highlight these experiences:
Volunteer experience
Volunteer work can be a great way to gain relevant experience and demonstrate your skills. If you have volunteered in the past, including the organization’s name, your role, and a brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments. This can show potential employers that you are dedicated to making a difference and have transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Personal projects
If you have completed any personal projects relevant to the job you are applying for, include them on your resume. This could be anything from building a website to writing a book. Describe the project and highlight the skills you used to complete it.
Caregiving experience
If you have provided care for a family member or friend, this can be a relevant experience to highlight on your resume. Describe the types of caregiving you provided and highlight the skills you used, such as patience, compassion, and attention to detail.
Community involvement
Include them on your resume if you have been involved in community organizations or events. This can demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in your community and showcase leadership, organization, and communication skills.
Hobbies and interests
Depending on the job you are applying for, your hobbies and interests may be a relevant experiences. For example, if you are applying for a job in the creative field, your hobbies and interests may demonstrate your creativity and passion for the industry.
When highlighting relevant experience that is not “work,” describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in detail and highlight the skills you used. This can help potential employers understand how your experiences are relevant to the job you are applying for.
Use a Functional or Hybrid format
A functional or hybrid resume format can be helpful for seniors who haven’t worked in a while. These formats focus on your skills and experiences rather than your work history. This can help you highlight your strengths and qualifications without drawing attention to any gaps in your work history.
Functional Resume
In a functional resume, the main section lists your skills and accomplishments, briefly describing how you’ve used those skills. This section typically comes before your work history and education.
Hybrid Resume
In a hybrid resume, you still include a section on your work history and education, but you also include a section on your skills and accomplishments. This section is usually at the top of the resume and is similar to the functional resume format.
The functional and hybrid resume formats are designed to highlight your transferable skills and accomplishments, making them an excellent option for individuals with diverse experiences who want to showcase their strengths. However, it’s important to note that some employers prefer the traditional chronological resume format, so research the company and position you’re applying for and tailor your resume accordingly.
Include Education and Training
Include these on your resume if you have taken any courses, received any certifications, or earned any degrees. This can demonstrate your commitment to learning and improving your skills.
This section can help demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary qualifications to succeed in the job. Here are some examples of what you can include in the Education and Training section:
Degree or certification
If you have earned a degree or certification, be sure to include the name of the institution, the degree or certification earned, and the date of graduation. You can also include any honors or awards you received.
Relevant coursework
If you have taken coursework that is relevant to the job you are applying for, you can include this information in the Education and Training section. Be sure to describe the coursework in detail and highlight how it is relevant to the job.
Professional development
If you have completed any professional development courses or training programs, be sure to include this information in the Education and Training section. This can include things like workshops, seminars, and conferences.
Licenses and certifications
If you have any relevant licenses or certifications, be sure to include them in the Education and Training section. This can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary qualifications to perform the job.
Online courses
If you have completed any online courses that are relevant to the job, you can include this information in the Education and Training section. Be sure to describe the course in detail and highlight how it is relevant to the job.
When including education and training in your resume, be sure to list the most recent education and training first. You should also include the name of the institution, the location, and the date of completion. If you have a lot of education and training to include, you can create a separate section for it or include it under a “Professional Development” section.
Be Honest
Be honest about your work history and any gaps in your employment. Employers are looking for honest and transparent candidates, and being upfront about your work history can help build trust with potential employers.
Remember, highlighting your strengths, skills, and experiences is the most important thing. Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t worked in a while – you still have much to offer as a senior citizen. By focusing on your transferable skills, relevant experience, and education/training, you can create a strong resume that showcases your strengths and abilities.