5 Job Search Tips for Professionals Over 40

Dr. Kristy Taylor, Certified Career Coach
Jul 23
3 min read

Job hunting after 40 can feel like stepping into a whole new world. The rules have changed, and it’s not just about experience anymore. It’s about relevance, adaptability, and visibility. As a Career and Executive Coach, I’ve worked with countless professionals in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who are ready to pivot, rebrand, and take back control of their careers. And here’s the good news: it’s absolutely possible.

If you’re a mid-career professional looking for a new opportunity, here are five job search tips for professionals over 40 that can help you stand out and stay competitive.

1. Refresh Your Resume to Reflect Today’s Standards

Your resume might still list roles from the early 2000s. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but employers today want relevance over history. Focus on the past 10 to 15 years and showcase accomplishments that align with the roles you're targeting.

Here’s what to update:

Replace your objective statement with a short branding summary
Use a clean, ATS-friendly layout (Microsoft Word > Canva)
Add measurable achievements using active verbs
Include modern skills like project management software or data analysis tools you’ve used

Avoid listing outdated tech or irrelevant details from early in your career. Show that you’re current, strategic, and results-driven.

2. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

If you haven’t touched your LinkedIn since you first signed up, it’s time. Recruiters use LinkedIn as one of their main hiring tools, and if your profile isn’t showing up in search, you’re missing out.

Quick wins for an optimized LinkedIn page:

Use a professional headshot and a background photo that reflects your industry
Update your headline to reflect your target job, not your last one
Fill in your “About” section with a career summary that sells your value
Add skills and get endorsements from colleagues or past clients

Engage with posts in your field, share articles, and comment on thought leaders’ content. It helps you stay visible and shows you're plugged into your industry.

3. Address Age Bias with Confidence, Not Fear

Let’s be real. Ageism exists. But the best way to combat it isn’t to hide your experience—it’s to own it and package it with strategy.

You don’t need to say how many years of experience you have. What you should highlight is how you’ve kept up with changes in your field, taken initiative to learn new things, and adapted to evolving challenges.

Example: Instead of saying “over 25 years of experience,” try something like “seasoned operations leader known for driving efficiency and continuous improvement in fast-changing environments.”

This positions you as current, capable, and future-ready.

4. Network Like It’s a Skill—Because It Is

Networking today isn’t about handing out business cards at events. It’s about building relationships, online and offline. Reach out to former coworkers, colleagues, mentors, and industry peers. Let people know you’re exploring new opportunities and be clear about what you’re looking for.

Ways to network effectively:

Attend virtual or in-person industry events
Ask for informational interviews
Join professional associations or LinkedIn groups
Follow up and stay in touch with your network regularly

Most mid-career hires happen through relationships, not cold applications. Networking helps you tap into the hidden job market and hear about roles before they’re posted.

5. Learn the Modern Hiring Process

Many professionals over 40 feel stuck because hiring looks so different now. Applicant tracking systems (ATS), virtual interviews, job boards that ghost you—it’s a lot to keep up with. But understanding the process can help you navigate it with more ease.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Customize your resume with keywords from the job description
Prepare for virtual interviews with a clean setup and good lighting
Research companies on LinkedIn and Glassdoor before applying
Follow up after submitting your application or completing an interview

If you feel like you’re constantly applying and not hearing back, the issue may not be your experience. It might be how you're packaging it. A few strategic changes can make a huge difference in getting your resume seen.

Job Search Tips for Professionals Over 40

Searching for a job later in your career doesn’t mean starting from scratch. It means repositioning what you’ve already done in a way that speaks to today’s hiring market. You bring wisdom, resilience, and leadership experience—qualities that can’t be trained overnight.

If you’re not sure how to optimize your resume or decode what job postings are really asking for, I’d love to help.

Attend one of our upcoming Beat the Bots workshops and learn how to write an ATS-compliant resume, decode job descriptions, and beat the system that screens candidates before a human even sees your application.

You’ve done the work. Now let’s make sure your resume shows it.