Job Hunting After 50

The world of work has changed. Everything — including job hunting — has gone digital.

If it has been a while since you applied for a job, you may be unfamiliar with exactly how the online process works these days. To find and apply for open positions, digital skills are a must.

That’s why AARP Foundation has put together an overview of exactly what you need to know. 

1. Make Your Resume Digital Friendly
Employers will ask you to upload your resume, which simply means you are attaching your resume so they can download it and read it. Since hiring managers typically see hundreds of resumes; it’s a good idea to save your resume file with your first and last name. If you are tailoring your resume to each job you apply for, as experts recommend, include the position name in your file name as well, like the example below.

Some employers may ask you to send your resume as a PDF. You can turn any document, whether it’s in Microsoft Word or a Google Doc into a PDF from inside the doc:

1. Within your document, click File
2. Then select Print
3.  Instead of selecting a printer, click Save as a PDF.

Finally, be sure you appear current by listing your digital skills on your resume. List any relevant software programs you know how to use such as:

• Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word/Excel/Powerpoint or Google Docs,/Sheets/Slides)
• Point of Sale Systems (Square, Harbortouch, Clover)
• Project Management (Trello, Asana, Microsoft Teams)
• Accounting (Quickbooks, Xero)
• Design (Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
• Communication (Slack, Google Chat, Zoom)

2. Create an Online Profile
Now that your resume is in good shape, it’s time to make sure you — and your work experience — can be found online. And that means creating — or if you already have one, updating — your LinkedIn profile.

As the world’s largest professional networking site, LinkedIn is the place for potential employers to learn more about you. You’ll need a professional looking and recent photo of yourself, along with the information from your resume to make your profile.You can find tips for age-proofing your LinkedIn profile here. 

Once your profile is live, begin reaching out to connect with people you know, especially colleagues you’ve worked with in the past. If you left a former job on good terms, consider asking your previous boss or co-worker to endorse you on LinkedIn to give your profile more professional weight.

3. Apply for Jobs Online
You can certainly look for and apply to jobs posted on LinkedIn. But casting a wider net by searching on other platforms will help you find a job faster.

Popular job sites include: Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter. You should also consider the AARP Job Board, which was designed to match you with employers that are committed to hiring workers over 50.

Depending on the employer, you’ll apply by uploading a resume and cover letter, listing your LinkedIn profile, and answering some screening questions online. You should receive an email confirmation of your application, too.