By Amy Lindgren
Knight-Ridder/Tribune
July 4, 1999

One of the saddest things I see in my work is a résumé that actually harms the job seeker who sent it.

I'm not talking about the sloppy, typo-laden pages that every professional in my field sees. Those are bad résumés, but easily improved.

The résumés that do harm are those that provide irrelevant information while skipping the facts the employer most needs to know. They stumble under a load of jargon that anesthetizes the reader, or skim lightly over major points that would make the employer's heart beat faster.

Sometimes, these sad résumés reflect a shockingly low self-esteem that seems to whimper, "You're my last chance. Please hire me." That approach works for puppies, but seldom for workers.

Who's turning out these awful chronologies? I hate to say it, but the worst résumés I see nearly always belong to workers in their 50s and 60s. It's ironic, because these are the folks who have the most to offer an employer. And it's unfortunate, because these bad résumés can initiate a vicious cycle of indifference from employers, leading to low self-esteem and chronic underemployment for the worker.

The best way to break this awful pattern is to go cold turkey. If you're an older worker with a bad résumé, stop in your tracks and resolve to improve it.

Here are some mistakes to avoid, as well as style and content suggestions that will highlight the strengths unique to older workers.

Common mistakes: - Too much information. The older you are, the more you have to say. That doesn't mean everything is relevant or interesting. Pare down your résumé by thinking about the employer: What, exactly, does he or she need to know to make the right decision? Resist the temptation to make a Highlights section with 25 entries. Limit yourself to a half-dozen truly impressive points.

- A strict chronological viewpoint. If your most recent job was in telecommunications and you want to return to plant operations, why are you listing the telecommunications job first? Give the employer the most relevant information first.

Your earlier jobs in manufacturing can be positioned under the bold heading "Manufacturing Experience." The less relevant telecommunications work can then be written under a heading "Other Experience."

- Dull format. Don't treat your computer like a typewriter. You have access to bold and italic type styles, large and small print sizes and easy options for indenting key information.

- Bad job titles. Just because your company called you a Class 3 Service Engineer doesn't mean you have to wear that title on your forehead. Make it Senior Sales Representative.

- Emphasis on the wrong points. Putting education as your first entry, when you graduated 25 years ago, tells the employer, "Nothing of significance has happened since I graduated."

Style, content ideas: - Create project lists. Make a one-page addendum for important projects or other information you wish to describe in detail. This gives credit for your work without bogging down the main résumé.

- Highlight technical skills. Older workers are often assumed to be "techno-dumb." To counter this stereotype, create a special technology section to identify any and all computer software you can use.

- Emphasize skills common to older workers. Employers often believe older workers are better in such areas as problem-solving, customer service, writing, self-presentation, leadership and teamwork. If you have these abilities, highlight them.