How to Update Your LinkedIn Profile for Job Success After 50: Expert Tips to Boost Your Career

Q “I’m 54 and looking for a new job. I have a LinkedIn profile but need to update it. What kind of changes should I be making?”

This is a great time to look for a job since more and more companies are recruiting people over 50. That’s because businesses value mature employees’ know-how. It’s also smart to refresh your LinkedIn profile since a whopping 94% of recruiters visit the popular career website to find job candidates.

So what’s the first step to take when creating or updating your LinkedIn profile? Define the exact job you’re seeking, says Donna Serdula, author of LinkedIn Profile Optimization for Dummies and founder of Vision Board Media ( LinkedIn-Makeover.com ). For example, are you hoping to move up in your current field—say, from assistant manager to manager? Or are you pivoting to something new?

Once you decide on the position you want, research job descriptions. “LinkedIn’s Jobs section is an excellent resource for job seekers of all ages,” says Serdula. “You can set up job alerts for your targeted positions or search for jobs using the search field.”

Also smart: Check out which companies have pledged to hire mature employees at AARP.org/work/employer-pledge-companies . Then visit the job boards on their websites, which you can find by doing an online search for “careers” plus the company’s name.

You’ll find keywords that will be in the job openings you apply to, like “customer service.” Weave these keywords into your Headline (the text under your name that sums up who you are and what you do); About section (the summary that includes professional highlights); and Experience section (where you share details of jobs you’ve had). This way, when recruiters look up these words and phrases on LinkedIn, your profile will show up in the results. For example, a Headline for a store manager might be: “Store Manager | Customer Experience Expert | Boosting Sales | Focused on Efficiency.”

Tell your personal story

Update your LinkedIn profile by making it more conversational. “Instead of just listing your skills, demonstrate them through stories that highlight what you do and why it matters,” Serdula recommends. For example, if you’re an educator who’s switching to a career in real estate, you might say, “As a teacher, I excelled at explaining complex topics in simple language to help students understand them. This same skill helps me explain the complexities of property details to home buyers and sellers.”

“This approach not only makes your profile compelling, it also positions you as the ideal candidate for the role you want,” notes Serdula.

Focus on the future you

Your long history shows what a valuable employee you’ll be, but it’s best to tweak descriptions of former jobs to showcase the skills you’ll use in your next position, says Serdula. If you’re an assistant manager applying to be a manager, you might delete everyday tasks, like “scheduled staff shifts,” and focus on managerial duties, like “developed a customer service training program.” “Don’t describe who you are today, but who you aspire to be tomorrow.” Your profile’s Experience section should taper like a V, with the most recent jobs at the top, becoming more succinct the further back you go.

Post a new headshot

If it’s been more than a couple of years since you updated your picture, snap a new one and upload it. “Take it at eye level, and frame it from the top of your head to just below your shoulders,” says Serdula. “You can find photographers at HeadShotCrew. com.” But getting help from a pal also works: Have your friend take the photo in portrait mode a few feet away, with lots of natural light, and stand more than an arm’s length away from the wall. This adds depth and helps you stand out. Most important? “Smile by crinkling your eyes!” Your warmth will be engaging instantly.

This article originally appeared in our print version of the Woman's World magazine.

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