Job-seekers who have experience that spans a long career should be choosy about the amount of achievements they include on a CV.
That is the advice of Samantha Nolan, a certified professional CV writer, who writes in Cincinnati Enquirer that people should stick to relevant experience within the past ten to 15 years when applying for a new position.
Stretching back any further may lead a potential employer to wonder if a candidate is overqualified, too expensive to hire or too close to retirement, she warns.
“You have to make sure including experience past that 15-year benchmark is actually adding value to your candidacy,” Ms. Nolan suggests.
She adds that if a person has relevant experience from several years ago that they feel is just too valuable to omit, it can be included in a section citing additional experience, without a date attached.
Finally, Ms. Nolan says that it is prudent for older workers to emphasise that they have kept up with their professional development, which includes a mention of any training undergone.
The Department of Labour advises that another way job candidates can make sure employers focus on their strongest skills is by attaching a well-written cover letter, tailored to an employer’s needs, to every application.