Resumes for Retirees

While the title of this article may appear to be a dichotomy, it actually contains sound advice for employees who had once assumed that they would retire in their ’60’s.  Our decomposing economy has wrecked a double havoc upon would-be retirees.  Rising costs of goods and services, compounded by dwindling nest egg investments, are forcing those in their Golden Years to return to or remain within the work force, either in permanent or part-time capacities. Because they must compete with younger applicants whose credentials often include more extensive education, the needs of Gray Panthers differ from those of the more typical job candidates.  (Mainstream candidates will find assistance via other articles published on this website).

If you are among this growing, graying population, consider preparing a skills-based or functional resume for retirees; this format will serve you well on several counts.  Because this style is not chronological in nature, you are not constrained to list and describe every position that you have ever held.  Thus, you are able to mask your age as well as keep your resume to an acceptable length (one or two pages).  A functional resume also allows you to concentrate on general competencies, such as customer service, computer applications, or accounting.  This strategy broadens your career opportunities into a variety of industries and opens the door for positions that require general skills sets.

Although we normally advocate that candidates highlight their accomplishments via their career documents, we do not recommend this with respect to resumes for retirees in all circumstances.   Because job openings for reliable team members, frequently in part-time capacities, are more plentiful than they are for mavericks, you want to project the persona of a member of a team striving toward a common goal.

While there are no guarantees in life, including retirement, adherence to our tips concerning resumes for retirees can give you a fighting chance in the boxing ring of the employment arena.