Create A Stand–Out Resume
When battling perceptions about age discrimination, you have to be very strategic about your resume development process. Focus on developing an executive resume that positions you as a valuable partner to a company’s success right from the beginning.

Here are a few techniques to keep in mind:

• Write a powerful executive summary profile that includes your top career achievements.
• Do not list every job in your career, especially those going back to the 1960’s.
• Avoid listing outdated job titles and office equipment.
• Emphasize current technology training and computer skills.
• Capture early career experiences and performance highlights in an overview paragraph that lists positions and company names without the dates.

Be Technologically Savvy.
You cannot escape the growing impact of technology in every area of your life, especially in the workplace. A common, overused perception about experienced “older” professionals is that they lack adequate technical skills and are uncomfortable with new technology. Address these concerns by enrolling in classes with a local community college or through professional associations to increase your technical proficiency. Overall, do your best to stay current on new technology programs as they relate to email, Internet research, word processing, and spreadsheet programs.

Make the Connection in the Interview
Research the company to understand their needs and long–term business objectives and how your talents and skills fit in. During the interview process, demonstrate the synergies between what you have to offer and the position qualifications that the company is seeking. Use this as a tactic to steer unnecessary attention away from age issues.

Consistently draw attention to the value and benefits you bring to an employer (through concrete examples from your career) and show how you influence organizations and play a pivotal role in their long–term growth and success. For example:

Last, but certainly not least, learn effective networking strategies that will support and benefit you throughout your job search process. Reach out to others for advice and feedback through alumni connections, industry associations, former employers and coworkers, and close family and friends. In addition, seek out support groups that specifically deal with executives in a specific age group.