How to Update Your Resume When You're Over 60

Start with what's actually changed since your last resume

Your resume doesn't need to look like it belongs to someone in their twenties. It needs to show what you've done since you last looked for work — and that's usually the only thing that's changed. If you've been out of the job market for a few years, worked part-time, volunteered, taken a class, or picked up a new skill, those are the things to add. Everything else stays the same.

The goal is to answer what an employer will wonder: "What has this person been doing, and can they do this job?" A resume updated at 60 answers that question just as well as one written at 30 — it just has more history to choose from.

Key Takeaways

• Add any paid work, volunteer roles, or training you've done since your last resume, with dates and what you actually accomplished.
• Remove jobs from more than 15 years ago unless they directly show you can do the job you're applying for now.
• Use the same format and font you see in job postings for the role you want — employers scan resumes quickly and expect familiar layouts.
• List your phone number, email, and city (not your full address or birth date) so employers can reach you without making assumptions about your age.
• Have someone under 40 read it and tell you if anything looks outdated or confusing — what feels normal to you might signal age to someone else.

What to add and what to cut

Start by listing everything you've done since your last resume: jobs, volunteer work, classes, certifications, or skills you've learned. Write down dates and what you actually did — not just the title, but the result. "Managed the front desk" is weaker than "Managed front desk for a 40-person office, handled scheduling and vendor relations."

Then look at your older jobs. If you worked somewhere 20 years ago, you can remove it unless that job is the only proof you can do the work you're applying for now. Most employers care most about what you've done in the last 10 to 15 years. Cutting old jobs makes your resume shorter and keeps the focus on recent experience.

If you have a long career in the same field, you can group very old jobs under a single line: "Earlier roles: Warehouse Manager (1998–2005), Inventory Supervisor (1995–1998)." This shows continuity without taking up space.

Format and layout matter more than you might think

Look at three job postings for roles you're interested in. Notice how they're written — formal or casual, what words they use, how they describe the work. Your resume should match that tone and style. If the postings use bullet points, use bullet points. If they mention specific software or certifications, make sure yours does too.

Use a simple, clean font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10 or 11 point size. Avoid decorative fonts, colored backgrounds, or graphics — they can confuse the computer systems that scan resumes before a human sees them. Stick to black text on white or light gray background.

Keep it to one page if you have fewer than 20 years of experience, or two pages if you have more. Employers expect to spend 30 seconds on a first read, so make the most recent and most relevant information easy to find at the top.

Contact information and what not to include

At the top of your resume, list your full name, phone number, email address, and the city and state where you live. That's all you need. Do not include your street address, birth date, age, marital status, or a photo. Employers are not supposed to use these details to make decisions, and including them can work against you.

Use a professional email address — something like firstname.lastname@email.com works better than a nickname or old account. If you don't have a current email address, create one before you start applying. Make sure your voicemail greeting is professional and your email signature doesn't include personal details.

How to describe recent work and volunteer roles

For each job or volunteer role, write the title, organization name, location, and dates (month and year). Then add three to five bullet points describing what you did and what changed because you did it. Use numbers when you can: "Trained 12 new employees" is stronger than "Trained employees." "Reduced processing time by 25 percent" is stronger than "Improved efficiency."

If you've been out of paid work but volunteering, that counts. Write it the same way: "Volunteer Coordinator, Community Food Bank, 2022–present. Recruited and scheduled 30 volunteers monthly. Organized donation sorting system that increased distribution capacity by 40 percent." Volunteer work shows you're active, reliable, and current.

If you took time off to care for a family member, you don't have to explain it on your resume. You can, if you want to, but you don't have to. Some people write "Family caregiving, 2018–2021" and leave it at that. Others skip it entirely. The choice is yours.

Skills and certifications that matter now

Add a skills section that lists things employers actually ask for in job postings. If you're applying for office work, list software you know: Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, QuickBooks, whatever you actually use. If you speak another language, list it. If you have a current certification — CPR, food handler, forklift license — include it with the expiration date.

Don't list skills you learned 15 years ago and haven't used since. If you're rusty on something, say so in an interview, not on your resume. And if you've taken a recent class or online course to learn something new, add it: "Completed Google Digital Garage Certificate, 2024" or "Proficient in Canva (self-taught, 2023)."

What to do before you send it out

Read your resume out loud. You'll catch awkward phrasing and typos faster that way. Then ask someone who's job-hunting now — ideally someone under 40 — to read it and tell you honestly if anything looks outdated or confusing. They'll spot things you won't, like outdated formatting or language that signals age.

Save your resume as a PDF before you send it, not as a Word document. PDFs look the same on every computer, so your formatting won't get scrambled. Name the file something clear: "FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf" instead of "Resume_Final_FINAL_v3.pdf."

Before you apply for a specific job, read the posting carefully and adjust your resume slightly to match the language they use. If they ask for "project management experience," make sure that phrase appears on your resume. If they mention specific software, list it. You're not lying — you're making sure your real experience is easy for them to find.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I put my graduation date on my resume?

Only if you graduated recently or if the degree is directly required for the job. If you graduated 30 years ago, leave the date off. Write "Bachelor of Science in Accounting" without the year. If an employer needs to verify your degree, they'll ask you directly.

Is it okay to have a gap in my work history?

Yes. You don't have to explain gaps on your resume itself. If an employer asks in an interview, you can explain briefly and honestly: illness, caregiving, job search, or personal reasons. Most employers understand that people's lives don't follow a straight line.

What if I've changed careers or industries?

Focus your resume on skills that transfer. If you managed people in one industry, you can manage people in another. If you handled budgets, that's relevant everywhere. Use your cover letter or a brief summary at the top of your resume to explain why you're moving into this new field and what you bring to it.

Should I mention that I'm part of a senior employment program?

No. Your resume is about your experience and skills, not about programs you're in. If an employer asks how you found the job posting, you can mention it then. But it doesn't belong on the resume itself.

How often should I update my resume?

Every time you finish a significant project, learn a new skill, or take on a new responsibility at work. That way, when you need it, you're not trying to remember what you did two years ago. Even if you're not job-hunting, spend 15 minutes every six months adding recent accomplishments.