Professional women over fifty interested in a career change have many ways to market their workforce value and enhance their experience over age. First impressions matter most with your presentation using a Functional Resume. Start with the “Wow” and figure out the most impressive transferable skills with your work and experience. If you’re pursuing a career that is very different than your former career, a Functional Resume is a good choice. This style allows you to draw out your related skills and downplay your work history.

Functional Resumes and Cover Letters should communicate your relevant workforce skills to the specific job that you are targeting.

• Lead your Functional Resume with a career goal and qualifications summary, then create functional categories that highlight your related skills and experience. Your work chronology is a simple listing at the end of the resume (include company name, city, state, job title and dates), with no job description for unrelated positions
• Tailor your “Wow” language by looking at the company’s job posting or list of qualifications. Figure out what that company is looking for, and then use phrases and terminology in their ad to describe what you’ve done.
• When listing educational degrees or certifications, just list the degree and college and/or certification and institution without the year acquired.

Social Media is the best way to market your skill set and network. Every line of work has an active network that connects individuals with shared information, understandings and ideas. Most can be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media platforms. LinkedIn is one of the best professional networking and technical tool for a great first impression that can also use the Functional Resume format:

• Shows potential employers that you understand the value of social media and understand how to use technology.
• Helps as a quick introduction that markets you 24 hours seven days a week like nothing else can.
• When setting up your profile, it’s more important to list what you’ve accomplished like a Functional Resume format, so quantify and qualify your “Wow” successes as much as possible. Your goal is to convince a hiring manager of the validity of what you’ve achieved and what you can do for them.
• Join industry and special interest groups on LinkedIn that have discussions meaningful to you, and chime into the conversation. A strong presence on LinkedIn can make you very much in demand.

The “New Careers for Older Workers” finds 82% of survey respondents reported making a successful transition to a new career after age 45. Having clarity, keeping an open mind and creating Functional Resume format of accomplishments leading with “Wow” achievements immediately communicates your value to a company.

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