Author: April Ogden, Founder and CEO, It’s Your Outcome

Insights from It’s Your Outcome Career Coaching

Avoid These Common Resume Mistakes if You’re Over 40 and Job Hunting

Job hunting over 40 can feel like an uphill battle. Even with years of experience, certain resume details might unintentionally signal to recruiters that you’re out of touch, creating age-based barriers you may not realize. Studies show that recruiters spend only 7 seconds glancing at each resume before deciding whether to keep reading or move on. According to LinkedIn, 60% of recruiters prefer modern resume formats over traditional layouts, as they prioritize clear achievements and relevant skills. Updating these key elements will help your resume grab—and hold—attention in this competitive job market, positioning you as a forward-thinking candidate ready for 2025.

6. Including “References Available Upon Request” on Your Resume

Did you know? Years ago, adding “References available upon request” was standard, but it’s now unnecessary and can actually date your resume. Recruiters assume you’ll provide references if needed, so this line only takes up space that could be better used.

What to Do Instead: Modernize Your Resume with an Awards Section

Create a dedicated Awards / Recognitions section to showcase your achievements and give your resume more impact. Highlight recent accomplishments, honors, or industry awards, particularly those that align with the role or reflect expertise in your industry.

Example:

Awards / Recognitions

• Recipient of the 2022 Customer Excellence Award for outstanding service delivery and client satisfaction
• Achieved “Top Sales Performer” recognition three years in a row, exceeding revenue targets by 20%

5. Avoid Listing Outdated Dates for Education and Expired Certifications

Research shows that age bias affects more than 70% of job seekers over 40. Including education dates from decades ago or expired certifications can subtly draw attention to your age—often best avoided unless those dates are critical to the job. In fields where certifications and education must stay current, check for industry-specific norms and list dates accordingly.

What to Do Instead: Keep Education and Certification Dates Relevant

Only include dates for education, certifications, or courses completed within the last 5 to 7 years, or as required by your industry. If a program, degree, or certification was completed more than 7 years ago, it’s often best to omit the date unless it’s highly relevant to the role.

Example:

• If you earned a certification in 2015 that’s still relevant, list it without the date, like “Certified Project Manager.”
• For recent courses taken within the last 5-7 years, include both the course and date—e.g., “Advanced Digital Marketing, 2019.”

4. Emphasizing Education Over Experienceon Your Resume

While education is valuable, hiring managers are typically more interested in your recent work accomplishments than in where or when you graduated. According to Jobvite, 59% of hiring managers prefer seeing achievements in recent roles, within the last 10 – 15 years, over educational history. A strong work history with measurable achievements will be more compelling, particularly in senior-level or specialized roles. If you’re applying in an industry where education is highly valued (such as academia or research), adjust placement accordingly.

Quick Tip: Prioritize Experience Over Education (Unless Highly Relevant)

Prioritize experience over education unless your education is directly relevant to the job. If so, place education at the top of your resume to highlight its relevance.

For the experience section, emphasize quantifiable results demonstrating your impact, such as percentages, revenue impacts, or efficiency gains.

Example:

Instead of “Managed team of 5,” try “Led a team of 5 to achieve a 30% increase in project efficiency, reducing delivery time by two weeks.”

3. Using an Objective Statement Instead of a Professional Summary

Objective statements used to be common, but they focus on what you want from a job rather than what you offer.

Today, professional summaries are the standard because they highlight your strengths and value right away.

How to Write a Strong Professional Summary (at least 5 sentences)

1. Start with your role and expertise: Briefly describe your current or most recent role and establish your professional background.
2. Highlight relevant skills: Mention two or three key skills or areas of expertise that make you stand out.
3. Include a notable achievement: Share one recent success or measurable result.
4. Emphasize your impact: Describe how your skills and experience contribute to an organization’s goals.
5. Tailor it to the job: End with a sentence connecting your background to the role you’re applying for.

Example:

“Sales executive with over 15 years of experience driving revenue growth and increasing market share for global consumer brands. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, implement innovative sales strategies, and increase customer retention by 30%. Skilled in digital marketing, client relationship management, and brand positioning. Known for exceeding sales targets and fostering customer loyalty through data-driven solutions and a consultative sales approach. Excited to bring expertise in sales leadership and customer engagement to [Target Company] to drive continued growth and success.”

2. Why Removing Your Full Mailing Address Improves Your Resume

Most hiring processes are now managed online, so including a full mailing address is unnecessary and can raise privacy concerns. Listing your entire address can make your resume appear outdated.

What to Do Instead: Keep It Simple with Only City and State

Include only your city and state or omit your address entirely if it’s not relevant to the role. This modernizes your resume and keeps it concise.

Example:

• Before: “123 Main Street, Anytown, USA”

• After: “City, State” or omit it entirely if not required

1. Using an Outdated Email Address on Your Resume

Older email providers like AOL or Hotmail may signal to recruiters that you’re less tech-savvy than other candidates. To avoid this impression, switch to a modern provider like Gmail. Additionally, avoid numbers in your email that suggest your birth year, as this could also lead to age-based assumptions.

What to Do Instead: Update to a Professional Email with a Modern Provider

Create a professional email with a current provider, using a format like FirstName.LastName@gmail.com.

Example:

• Before: “YourName1975@aol.com”

• After: “FirstName.LastName@gmail.com”

Quick Resume Checklist for Jobseekers Over 40

✅ Remove “References Available Upon Request”

✅ Highlight recent experience and achievements, with quantifiable results

✅ Replace objective with professional summary (at least 5 sentences)

✅ Update email to a modern provider

✅ Include only city and state (or omit address)

✅ Place education above experience only if highly relevant to the position

Real Stories, Real Results

“When I updated my resume to remove outdated information, I started getting interviews almost immediately!” — Sarah W., Senior Marketing Professional

“Switching to a professional summary instead of an objective statement made my resume stand out—I noticed more engagement from recruiters.” — James L., IT Project Manager

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