Home 9 Job Search 9 Making a Career Pivot at 50+: How to Use Your Resume to Reinvent, Not Just Retire

Making a Career Pivot at 50+: How to Use Your Resume to Reinvent, Not Just Retire

by | May 8, 2025 | Job Search, Resumes

Congrats, you just turned 50! You feel great, you look great, you are at the top of your game, but some hiring manager wants you to believe it’s time to shuffle toward the golf course or take up watercolor painting full-time.

Spoiler alert: they’re wrong. You’re not winding down; you’re evolving. And if you’re craving something new in the job department—be it a different industry, a less stressful job, or a passion project that pays—it’s time to update your resume to reflect that pivot.

Here’s the good news: you’re not alone. Career changes later in life are more common than ever, and age isn’t the obstacle it once was.

But what is a potential issue? A resume that doesn’t match your ambition, your experience, or the direction you’re heading next.

Let’s fix that.

Stop Writing Like You’re Applying to the Same Job You Had in 1999

This is not the time for “seasoned professional with 30 years of experience” as your opening line. You’re not applying for the same role you’ve had for decades—you’re advancing. You need a forward-looking resume that says, “Here’s what I’m excited about next.”

Start with a career summary that speaks to your next move:

“Results-driven operations leader pivoting into nonprofit leadership, bringing decades of organizational expertise, strategic insight, and a passion for mission-driven work.”

Yes, you can acknowledge your experience but tie it to the new direction. You’re not dragging your past behind, you’re building on it.

Cut the Clutter, Not the Confidence

You’ve been working for a while. You have stories. You’ve seen some things. But your resume is not a memoir.

That 1995 internship? Probably not relevant anymore. Trim your resume to focus on the last 10–15 years, or the experience that best supports what you want to happen next. This helps avoid age bias and makes your resume a clean, compelling read.

And while we’re at it, drop the AOL email address (and we swear we still see these out there!) and that “References available upon request” line. You’re evolving, remember?

Highlight Transferable Skills Like the Rockstar You Are

If you’re changing industries, your exact job titles may not match. That’s okay. Skills transfer—and often more than you think.

Were you in sales and now you want to go into fundraising?

Hello, persuasive communication and relationship-building!

Moving from education to corporate training?

Training is training. You get people from Point A to Point B—and make them better in the process.

Don’t be afraid to list soft skills with intention:

And pair them with examples. “Led a department through a major restructuring” says more than just “team player.”

Own the Pivot, Don’t Apologize for It

This is where mindset meets marketing. A career change is not a confession—it’s a strategic decision.

Use your cover letter to explain the shift (without sounding defensive). Keep it focused on why you’re excited about this new direction, and how your background adds value. Not in spite of your age—but because of your experience.

Don’t DIY This If You’re Stuck

We understand—writing about yourself is hard. Writing about yourself strategically when you’re at a crossroads? That’s next-level, 200% difficult.

We’ve worked with hundreds of clients making midlife career shifts, and here’s the truth: It’s not about reinventing who you are. It’s about reconnecting with the version of you that’s been waiting to come out—and making sure your resume reflects that.

This Isn’t the End—It’s the Remix

You’re not retiring. You’re remixing. You’re taking what you’ve built and using it to create something new—and maybe something even better.

So if you’re sitting at your desk wondering whether it’s too late to start over, let us remind you: It’s not. Your second (or third, or fourth) act can be just as meaningful and ambitious as your first.

Ready to Write the Next Chapter?

At Grammar Chic, we specialize in helping professionals at every stage of life write resumes that reflect who they really are—and who they’re becoming next. If you’re ready to reinvent, we’re ready to write.

Let’s make your pivot powerful. Reach out to us today.