Resume: Modernise Without Erasing the Past
Recruiters today scan resumes in seconds, and many use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter candidates before a human ever sees your application. To find a job after 50, your résumé needs to highlight your value—without feeling outdated—and be formatted to pass ATS screening. This means using clear section headings, avoiding images or graphics, and including keywords directly from the job description to ensure your résumé gets through the digital gatekeepers.
Tips:
- Focus on the last 10–15 years. You do not need to include every role since 1992.
- Use strong action verbs. Quantify results. “Reduced costs by 15%,” not “responsible for budget.”
- Cut outdated tech. Listing Excel is fine. Lotus Notes? Not so much.
- Include remote-ready skills. If you have led virtual teams or used Zoom, show it.
Bonus tip: Add a skills section that matches today’s job descriptions—think project management, collaboration tools, or CRM platforms.
Mindset: Reframe Your Age as an Asset
A job hunt after layoff at 40+ can shake your confidence. But here is the truth—your decades of experience are not a liability. They are your power.
Tips:
- Embrace what makes you unique. Emotional intelligence, crisis management, and mentorship matter.
- Ignore ageist noise. Companies that undervalue experience are not where you want to be.
- Lead with adaptability. Show how you have evolved with technology and trends.
“I was 52 and felt invisible after my layoff. But once I shifted my mindset and owned my story, doors started opening.” – Julia M., Marketing Consultant
Upskilling: Learn, Pivot, Thrive
You do not need a four-year degree to stay relevant. A few short courses can sharpen your edge—or help you pivot completely. In fact, many people over 40 are finding success by learning just what they need, when they need it—through targeted, flexible training options.
Job search tips for over 40 often include reskilling. Why? Because it works.
Employers are less focused on traditional degrees and more interested in whether you can do the job. That means learning in-demand skills can quickly make you competitive again. These courses are often self-paced, affordable, and tailored to real-world applications, giving you the tools to step confidently into a new role or even a new industry.
Suggested courses:
Sales: Using ChatGPT And Other AI Tools To Hit Sales Targets
If you want to boost your sales performance using the latest AI tools, Sales: Using ChatGPT And Other AI Tools To Hit Sales Targets offers a practical, beginner-friendly guide to crafting persuasive presentations, emails, and sales strategies. In just 35 minutes, you will learn how to integrate ChatGPT, Canva, PowerPoint AI, and more to close deals faster and work smarter.
Excel Data Analysis Tools
If you want to sharpen your analytical thinking and make smarter decisions with data, Excel Data Analysis Tools is a great starting point. In just over an hour, you will learn how to use built-in Excel features like Scenario Manager, Solver, Forecast Sheet, and essential formulas to uncover insights and work more efficiently.
Respect: The Secret To All Soft Skills And Leadership Skills
If you are ready to grow as a leader and strengthen your soft skills, Respect: The Secret To All Soft Skills And Leadership Skills offers a powerful step-by-step system to help you earn genuine respect in any professional setting. This 5-hour course is perfect for team leads, professionals, and executives looking to master active listening, build trust, and lead with authenticity to create lasting impact.
Tip: Block out time each week (use tools like DeskTime) to stay focused and track your learning progress.
Networking: Activate Your Hidden Superpower
At this stage in life, you probably know more people than you think. Now is the time to reconnect—strategically.
Tips:
- Start with LinkedIn. Update your profile, post insights, and engage in comments.
- Attend virtual events. Many platforms now host age-inclusive networking spaces.
- Mention your goals. Let friends, former colleagues, and even neighbours know you are exploring new paths.
FlexJobs is a great platform to find age-inclusive, remote-friendly jobs with flexible schedules. Many roles are ideal for mid-career professionals making a comeback.
Real Story: From Burnout to Bold Move at 47
When Marcus was laid off at 47 from a senior logistics role, he panicked. “I thought, who wants to hire a guy who has been in one industry for 20 years?”
But instead of rushing into another logistics job, he gave himself a moment to reset. He listed out his transferable skills—team leadership, process improvement, and vendor coordination—and researched roles where those strengths mattered. He updated his résumé with quantified achievements, rewrote his LinkedIn summary to focus on operations and remote collaboration, and started following industry leaders in tech and e-commerce to better understand new trends.
He also reconnected with three former colleagues, one of whom introduced him to a hiring manager looking for someone with supply chain insight in a more digital setting. That conversation led to an interview.
Three months later, Marcus landed a fully remote operations coordinator role in a growing startup. The position paid slightly less at first—but offered more flexibility, room to grow, and a healthier work-life balance.
“It was not just a job switch,” he said. “It was a life shift. I finally felt in control again.”
Take These Courses and Start Landing Jobs Today
Ready to turn your career goals into reality? These beginner-friendly courses are designed to give you the practical skills, confidence, and competitive edge you need to start landing jobs today.
Resume Writing (CV) And LinkedIn Profile Optimization
If you are navigating a career change or simply want to attract more job opportunities, Resume Writing (CV) And LinkedIn Profile Optimization is the course to help you stand out. Designed for beginners, this step-by-step program teaches you how to create a professional-level resume that bypasses ATS filters and a LinkedIn profile that ranks higher in recruiter searches. With data-driven SEO techniques, clear action items, and practical tips from an experienced marketing professional, you will walk away with a compelling career story, a memorable tagline, and the confidence to land your next role faster.
Get Your Dream Job By Being Prepared For The Interview
If you want to boost your chances of landing your dream job, Get Your Dream Job By Being Prepared For The Interview is a must-watch course. In just over an hour, you will learn how to confidently prepare for interviews, discover roles in the hidden job market, negotiate salary with ease, and make a strong, lasting impression. With practical tips on body language, communication, and follow-ups, this beginner-friendly course equips you with the tools to stand out from other candidates and take control of your career path.
Navigating An Unconventional Career Path
If you are ready to break away from the traditional nine-to-five and explore a more flexible, fulfilling path, Navigating An Unconventional Career Path is the ideal course to get started. Taught by seasoned freelancer Brian Honigman, this 37-minute course will help you define your career goals, take on new projects using your current skills, and explore alternative work options like freelancing, side gigs, or starting your own business. You will learn how to diversify your income, organise your work life, promote yourself authentically, and build a career that aligns with your lifestyle and values—all while gaining the confidence to succeed on your own terms.
Key Takeaways
You are not stuck. You are evolving. And the best way to build momentum is to keep learning. Every skill you gain, every new concept you explore, brings you one step closer to the career and life you want. Continuous learning is not just about staying relevant—it is about staying confident, adaptable, and ready for opportunities you may not have even considered yet.
With the Skill Success All Access Pass, you can explore 4,000+ expert-led courses designed to support your next move.
Start today. Learn at your pace. Take control of your next chapter.
