If you have retired and are now wishing to rejoin the workforce, you're not alone. Many retired individuals decide they would like extra income or a job to fill their time.
Whatever your reasons for hitting the job market again, plan to join the competition with a stellar resume that features the best resume format for your background.
The Best Resume Format for a Retired Person
For all intents and purposes, there are only two formats to use: either chronological or functional. You're probably well versed on how to write a conventional chronological resume. This is the standard format that involves listing all your jobs, starting with the most recent, in the reverse order in which you held them.
As an alternative, a functional resume places the work that best qualifies you for a particular job at the top of your resume. It doesn't matter if this work was performed earlier in your job history.
A functional resume is designed to allow employers to identify skills they're looking for, giving you a better chance of advancing in the hiring process.
It's an ideal way to make career changes less obvious and to minimize gaps in your employment history.
Which is the best resume format for a retired person? If you just recently retired from a job in the field to which you're applying for work, a chronological resume is a good choice. However, if you have been out of work for a while or took time off in the middle of your career, a functional resume is the best resume format to use.
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Sections to Include in a Retired Person's Resume
Your resume needs at least three basic sections. The first is a header at the center of the page that includes your contact information. Include an email address you check regularly and a mobile number to make sure you don't miss any calls from employers or recruiters.
Your experience section comes next, in which you list your past work history. Again, this can either be in chronological order or by industry, depending on which format shows your qualifications to the best advantage.
Follow this section with an education section to give employers an outline of your academic background. Include any college degrees or certifications you've earned as well as training from accredited sources.
For example, in addition to a bachelor's degree, list special qualifications, such as having been the recipient of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Master Project Manager (MPM) certification. Don't feel obliged to include any graduation dates if you feel this reveals too much information about your age.
Extra Tips for Writing a Retired Person's Resume
In addition to the sections mentioned above, some applicants prefer to include other optional sections in their resumes, such as a skills section, that list assets like foreign language proficiency or computer programming capabilities. Always begin your resume with a summary statement that says in a few lines what your basic work background entails. Include these elements if you feel they make you a more attractive candidate for a given job.
When writing your work experience section, list the tasks you did on a daily basis under each job header, and more importantly, list any specific achievements. Try to be as descriptive as possible, and use words that demonstrate your skills related to any jobs you're seeking. Remember that you can also include volunteer activities to create more relevant experience and to fill employment gaps since retirement.
You'll find more advice about the best resume designs at LiveCareer. Their resume format examples will help you create the perfect resume to get back to work after officially retiring.
