Don’t tell employers about your ancient history. Your resume doesn’t need to go back before 1985, though in most cases, this is still too far back in time. What most employers are concerned about is this: What have you done lately?
You can create a few summary lines indicating past job experience if absolutely necessary. For instance: `Previous experience includes accounts payable representative leading to current position as finance manager,” or “started in a service-oriented position and gained experience in building customer partnerships.”
Old school language makes you old. If you use summary statements such as “Mature professional with 25+years of experience”, then you’re indicating that your old, set in your ways, can’t work with younger people or not in touch with modern technology.
Please don't age yourself. The prospective employer must believe, after looking at your resume, that you think youthfully and energetically.
Resumes must show achievements. There are many ways to indicate your skills and level of success. For instance: “Successfully increased sales by 12% in a declining economy”, or “conducted trend analysis used by senior management to successfully develop a new sales region,” or “provided training for 23 sales reps that resulted in an increase in product promotions,” or “selected as project lead for a major national campaign.”
You get the idea. Achievements command attention on a resume. Bland, cookie cutter language such as “detail minded” or “well-organized individual” will ensure that your resume is read quickly and tossed.
Functional resumes are not always effective. Some functional resumes that place achievements up front are effective. However, don't use a functional resume to disguise gaps in employment with a list of achievements that are hard to decipher. Employers will not spend the time to figure out when or where you performed each achievement.
Functional resumes that are vague and confusing just don't work.
Indicate strengths. You don’t “answer phones,” you “respond to customer inquiries as a solution resource.” You don’t ‘work for the department manager,’ you “collaborate with the department manager to improve customer communications.” You don’t “complete paperwork,” you “manage confidential, time-sensitive documents.” You don’t “work with vendors,’ you “build vendor partnerships resulting in profitable relationships.”
Create a strong career summary. Keep your summary to three or four lines. Here’s a good rule of thumb: Don’t ramble, don’t pile on 15 hackneyed phrases, and don’t write a book.
Indicate your technology capabilities. If you are proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, PC to Mac conversions, server maintenance, MediSoft, ICD and CPT coding - the list can go on and on – then by all means, indicate your level of skill or how you purchased, developed or implemented accounting, financial or inventory management applications.
Don’t tell employers about software that is obsolete: WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS, old telecom equipment, Windows 9x, Lotus 1-2-3 or other antiquated technology. You’ll age yourself.
If you don’t possess computer skills, go to your local library and sign up for classes.
Don’t list your dates of education if your education is in the distant past. If you graduated in 1977, and the Assistant HR representative who will see your resume first is 23 years old, he or she will think you’re ancient. You need to get face-to-face with the prospective employer to be noticed, to demonstrate that you’re “youthful” and “energetic”.
If you didn’t complete a degree, then indicate training, seminars and leadership programs that you have completed such as Effective Negotiations, Sales Leadership or Time Management.