Help with CV - over 50

[Fallenangelofthenorth]

I'm in the process of rewriting my CV as my current one is spectacularly falling flat. In my 40s I found I was invited for interview for pretty much everything I applied for. Now at the age of 50 something I'm getting rejection after rejection after rejection. I appreciate the market has probably changed somewhat but even when there are under 10 applicants I'm still rarely being invited for interview.

I've spoken to recruiters and been advised to update my cv and take off my date of birth, dates of my qualifications and summarise my work history beyond the last 3 jobs, which is everything before 2007. I'm struggling with how to show this. If I delete it altogether then recruiters might think I'm only 33 and they'll be in for a right shock when I rock up for interview! Plus I'm an accountant and qualified at KPMG which is a plus point so I'd want to get that included in my cv.

What's the best way to include my work history from 1989 to 2007 without adding an extra 3 pages to my cv? Really struggling with this, so I'd appreciate any help I can get.

Sounds good OP. I did similar to you and spent a LOT of time on it but it was worth it. Also re-did my LinkedIn to reflect the CV. Recruiters will look at your LinkedIn.
I found that as I tailored my cv for different roles and wrote different personal statements and letters that I was building up a bank of collateral that I could tweak and reuse so the earlier time investment paid off in that I could do an application in an hour rather than half a day.
So make sure you save each iteration of your CV and letters.

I definitely found it harder to get interviews after 50, which is understandable as in the sector I started my career at, almost all my peers are retiring now at 55.

I finally succeeded by moving to sectors where people tend to retire later. Education and then Charity.

I have 3 ACTUAL interviews!!!!

One is on 40% more than I'm currently on, and I thought I was massively chancing my arm with that one, but the recruiter really liked me so recommended me! I'd absolutely LOVE that job - not just the money, the role sounds really varied and doing all the kind of things I love plus so much closer to home than current horrible job.

2nd one is genuine hybrid, using and developing my favourite software, and again much closer. Slightly more money.

3rd same money, but more career potential, no WFH, but again closer to home, and working in a sector I'm more familiar with and enjoy massively.

I'm getting my hair done on Friday - it's already pretty cool because my friends my hairdresser and doesn't listen to a word I say, so cuts it how she wants, which to be fair does really suit me and makes me look quite edgy I think. It just needs a tidy up, and colour refreshing. I've got 3 interview outfits I'm very pleased with as they make me look less fat, as well as smart. So that's appearance sorted.

I'm gonna research the shit out of all 3 companies and make sure I demonstrate that I've done my research. Also think of some good, relevant questions. I thought I might print out the job spec and go through where I can demonstrate experience against each point - sometimes that's been well received, but sometimes it's seemed more like they just want a general chat on first interview so will try and gauge it a bit. I'll remember NOT to slag off current employer. And if possible (and appropriate) try to insert a little of my amazing wit - although this could go either way, so might play that by ear.

Any more tips?

I'm so grateful for all the previous advice. I acted on most, if not all of the comments, and I can see the massive difference already that my new CV has made.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

@Fallenangelofthenorth that's fantastic news!

Well done - great news! And good luck 👏 👍

That's amazing, well done!

Brilliant- well done. Another tip- run each job description through the chatgpt website and ask it to generate a list of interview questions for each job.
also, research the STAR technique and prepare answers in that format.
good luck!

Take a bottle of water in to each interview. When you want a moment to think, take some water. It will fill the pause and not look like you are thinking.

To be honest, it isn't a problem to take a moment to think, it is more to make you feel more comfortable as it can seem like an age from the candidate perspective.

Anything before your last 3 jobs (or more than 10 years ago isn't relevant.

The recruiters are correct. Listen to what they are telling you.

If you really need to add in KPMGthe do it as a bullet point.

So chuffed with your success, inspiring me to sort mine out!

No I've already completed my cv and I didn't mention KPGM other than as a line in my summarised work history.

You're right in that it's a long time ago and no-one really cares. Certainly with the interviews I've got they were enthusiastic over my last 3/4 roles specifically.

I did already do what you suggested, with positive results, but thanks for your input - reinforces what others were saying.

Brilliant idea! Thank you - I will do that!

Thanks - excellent tip! I do actually talk a lot sometimes so that might help slow me down too and help me to be more considered when I need to be. Plus has the added bonus of not having to worry about tipping my coffee over the desk when I get animated (last interview).

Honestly, just follow the tips on here. I think the best part of my new cv is the skills section. I did also big up my achievements more plus add the personal statement. I sent off an application this morning which was my cv plus answering a few questions and im just under an hour I got a response saying they wanted to interview me. The difference has been astonishing really. I'm the same person, but I think I'd just failed to grab anyone's attention as the relevant information wasn't there, and by the middle of page one of my old cv they'd just thought "nah".

Good luck to you too!

Talking a lot is an interesting one. Many candidates screw themselves by talking too much but not answering the question. From an interviewer's perspective there is limited time in an interview to get the information needed from a candidate. Try to answer the questions in a couple of sentences, but ask the interviewer if they need more detail. That way you don't waste time talking about stuff they don't want to know.

Personally, I'll interrupt candidates when they waffle, which I know can be off-putting for them, so I tell them it's likely that i will do so at the beginning of the interview and that they shouldnt worry if I do it.

This post does not highlight your ability to read CVs and assess clients according to their age...

Good luck with your interviews! Keep us posted.
chuffed for you!!!

Good luck!

Similar age to you, and was also getting nil response.

I took a similar approach, took earlier bits off my CV and overhauled it so my age wasn't obvious. Bingo! Been in new post a couple of years now.

Feel really deflated today.

First interview was online and I just didn't like the MD, found him quite rude and was derogatory about the outgoing accountant which was a big red flag and I'm not really interested.

2nd interview - on researching the company further have absolutely terrible employee reviews on glassdoor. Seriously bad. However, will go with an open mind.

3rd one asked me for dates so they could arrange an interview then just fell off the face of the planet. I have sent a follow up email but nothing.

One of the agents who was really enthusiastic about my suitability for the role has changed his mind now and decided he has more suitable candidates but can he keep my details.

The initial flurry of interest feels to have completely subsided and only really one decent potential that I'm waiting to hear back from. I don't know if perhaps the jobs don't really exist, or they don't like the look of me on LinkedIn, or there's some secret "we hate fallenangel" forum online. It's all a bit odd really.

Keep going. The right opportunity is out there for you.

Please keep going. Interviews are two way! You’ve got over the cv hurdle and are getting interviews. Recruiters are very much like that- hot and cold.
IT ISN'T YOU!
I really recommend the book what color is your parachute for some great strategies for getting jobs you want.

It is a numbers game, and at least you are getting interviews. I have found that LinkedIn is mostly useless to be honest.

Also, recruiters are your best friend when they want something, and drop you like a hot brick when they don't, so I wouldn't worry about them either.

Keep plugging away, the market is moving now, so hopefully something will happen soon.

Well the first one was useful in that you found out you don't want to work for them. And I wouldn't be put off by poor glassdoor reviews necessarily - I've looked up all the places I worked and whilst some negative reviews were justified some of them definitely weren't.

I don't have a high opinion of recruiters and got most of my (tech) jobs on spec. It could be worth you trying this, it takes effort but some companies especially small ones prefer on spec candidates because they don't have to pay an agency. The last but one job I got was because I was looking up somewhere on Google Maps, saw a company on the map that I didn't recognise, found out they were tech, applied on spec, they had a vacancy come up a few months later and I got it.

Keep going - at least you have got some interviews.

I've got such positive news to report back!

I've had an offer today and then just heard back (all today!) that I have 2 more interviews. Really are like buses 😆

I asked all the recruiters for honest feedback on my CV and every single one of them said it was perfect and not to change a thing - so thank you so much to everyone who gave advice. I did act on pretty much every suggestion I think!

Fantastic news and really interesting how important the presentation of the same person is!
Good luck now choosing the best role for you!