What to Prepare Before You Start Looking for Work Again

What you need before you start applying

Before you send out your first application, gather these specific documents and information in one place. Having them ready means you can fill out forms faster, answer questions on the phone without scrambling, and present yourself as organized — which matters more than you might think when you're competing with younger candidates who may have been job-searching recently.

Start with the basics: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and dates of employment from your last three jobs. Write down the names and phone numbers of people who can speak to your work — former supervisors, colleagues, or clients. These don't have to be your most recent employer if that relationship ended badly; they need to be people who can honestly describe what you actually did and how you worked.

Next, create a simple list of the skills you actually use. Not "leadership" or "communication" — those words appear on every resume. Instead, write down concrete things: "trained new staff on the point-of-sale system," "managed a $50,000 annual budget," "resolved customer complaints by phone and email," "operated a forklift," "wrote monthly reports." You'll use this list when you're filling out online forms that ask you to describe your experience.

Key Takeaways

• Gather your Social Security number, ID, employment dates, and contact information for three people who can speak to your work before you start searching.
• Write down the specific tasks you performed in your last jobs, not general job titles, because online forms ask you to describe what you actually did.
• Create or update a simple resume that lists jobs in reverse order with dates, employer names, and what you accomplished — not a long narrative or objective statement.
• Set up a professional email address if you don't have one, and check it daily because employers often contact candidates by email first.
• Identify which types of jobs match your skills and experience, and research what those jobs pay in your area so you know what to ask for.

Your resume: what actually works

You don't need a fancy resume. You need a clear one. Start with your name and phone number at the top — the phone number where you actually answer calls. Add your email address. Then list your jobs in reverse order: most recent first, going back about 15 years. For each job, write the company name, your job title, the dates you worked there (month and year), and three to five things you accomplished or were responsible for.

Use short sentences or bullet points. "Managed inventory for a 12-person team" is better than "Responsible for various inventory-related duties." "Trained 20 new employees per year on safety procedures" is better than "Experienced trainer." Employers scanning your resume spend seconds on it; they're looking for proof you did the specific work they need done.

Skip the objective statement ("Seeking a position where I can use my skills"). Skip the personal summary. Skip anything that draws attention to how long you've been working. Just show what you did. If you have certifications, licenses, or training that's recent and relevant to the jobs you're targeting, list those at the bottom. If you took a class in Excel or got certified in a specific software, that belongs on the resume. If you took a class in 1998, it doesn't.

Setting up your online presence

Create a professional email address if you don't have one. It should be simple — your name, or your name plus a number. Not "GoldenRetirement47" or "SeniorPro2024." Check this email every day, because employers often send interview invitations and follow-up questions by email, and they move on to the next candidate if you don't respond within 24 hours.

You don't need to be on social media for a job search, but if you are on Facebook or LinkedIn, make sure your profile doesn't contradict your resume. If you say you're looking for work, don't post photos from a month-long vacation. If you say you're detail-oriented, don't have spelling errors in your profile. Employers do look, especially for jobs where they're checking your judgment or reliability.

LinkedIn can be useful for job searching, but it's optional. If you decide to use it, keep your profile simple: your name, your phone number, your email, a brief summary of what kind of work you're looking for, and your employment history. You don't need a professional photo, but if you use one, wear what you'd wear to an interview. LinkedIn also lets you see which companies are hiring and sometimes tells you if someone at that company went to your high school or worked at a place you worked — that can be a way to get your resume in front of a real person instead of an online system.

Researching the jobs you're targeting

Before you start applying, spend time on job boards looking at the actual jobs that are posted. Go to Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, or your state's job board and search for jobs that match your experience. Read five to ten job postings for the same type of position. Write down the skills and experience they mention most often. That's what employers in your area are actually looking for right now.

Pay attention to what they're asking for that you don't have. If every posting for the job you want mentions "experience with Salesforce" and you've never used it, that's worth knowing. Some skills you can learn quickly; others take time. Knowing the gap helps you decide whether to pursue that type of job, look for a different role, or take a short course before you apply.

Look up what those jobs pay in your area. Websites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show salary ranges by job title and location. Knowing the range means you won't ask for too little or too much when an employer asks what you're looking for. It also helps you spot jobs that are paying significantly less than the market rate — sometimes that's a sign the employer is struggling or the job posting is outdated.

Preparing for phone and video interviews

Many employers do a quick phone screening before they invite you in. Prepare for this by writing down three to five stories about times you solved a problem, handled a difficult situation, or accomplished something at work. Keep each story to about 90 seconds. For example: "A customer was upset because their order was late. I looked up what happened, called them the same day to explain, and offered a discount on their next order. They ended up becoming a regular customer." That's specific, shows you can handle pressure, and took 30 seconds to tell.

Have your resume, a pen, and paper next to your phone when you're job searching. If an employer calls and you're not ready, it's okay to say, "I'm interested, but I'm not in a good place to talk right now. Can I call you back in 15 minutes?" Then get your materials together and call back. Employers expect this; they'd rather you be prepared than rushed.

If an interview is going to be on video, test your setup the day before. Sit in front of your camera, check the lighting, and make sure you can see yourself clearly. Wear what you'd wear to an in-person interview. Look at the camera when you're talking, not at your own face on the screen. Have a plain background behind you — not a messy room or a busy pattern. These details matter because employers are assessing whether you're professional and reliable, and the setup sends a message about both.

Understanding what employers are thinking

Some employers hesitate to hire older workers because they worry about cost, energy, or how long you'll stay. You can't change their minds with your resume, but you can address these concerns directly in an interview. If an employer asks why you're looking for work now, have a straightforward answer: "I'm ready to get back to work and I'm looking for a role where I can contribute for several years." If they ask about your energy level, show it — sit up straight, make eye contact, speak clearly, and ask engaged questions about the job.

Don't volunteer information about your age, your health, or how long you've been retired. Don't say, "I know I'm older than your other candidates, but..." That draws attention to the thing you're trying to move past. Instead, focus on what you bring: reliability, experience, the ability to train others, or a strong work ethic. Let your resume and your interview do that talking.

Organizing your search

Create a simple spreadsheet or notebook where you write down every job you apply for: the company name, the job title, the date you applied, and the contact person if you have one. When an employer calls, you'll know exactly which job they're calling about. You'll also be able to see which types of jobs you're getting interviews for and which ones aren't getting responses — that tells you whether your resume is matching what employers are looking for.

Set a goal for how many applications you'll send each week. Most job searches take longer than people expect, especially if you're looking for a specific type of work. Sending five to ten applications a week is realistic; sending 50 in one day usually means you're not tailoring your materials to each job. Employers can tell when you've customized your resume for their specific opening, and they're more likely to call you back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I put my graduation date on my resume?

No. List your degree and the school, but not the year. If you graduated from high school in 1978, that date tells an employer exactly how old you are, and some will screen you out before they even read what you accomplished. The same goes for dates of certifications or training that are more than 10 years old — leave those off unless they're directly relevant to the job.

What if I've been out of work for several years?

You don't have to explain a gap on your resume. If an employer asks about it in an interview, have a simple answer: "I took time off to care for family" or "I was retired, but I'm ready to work again now." Then move the conversation forward by asking about the job. Most employers care more about what you can do now than why you weren't working before.

Is it better to apply online or try to talk to someone at the company?

Both. Apply through the online system so you're officially in the running. Then, if you can find a real person's name and email at the company — someone in the department you're applying to — send them a short email saying you've applied and why you're interested. Keep it to three sentences. This gets your name in front of a human, which online systems don't always do.

Do I need to take a class or get a new certification before I start applying?

Only if the jobs you're targeting specifically require it. If every job posting says "must have current CPR certification" and you don't have it, take the class. If they say "experience with Microsoft Office preferred," you can learn that on the job or through a free online tutorial. Don't delay your search waiting to be perfect — start applying while you're learning.

What should I do if I get rejected?

Most job searches involve rejection. You'll apply to jobs you don't get. That's normal. If you get a rejection email, you can reply and ask for feedback: "Thank you for letting me know. If you have any feedback on my application, I'd appreciate it." Some employers will tell you what you're missing. Most won't respond, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Then move on to the next application.