No Degree, No Problem: How to Write a Resume That Gets You Hired After 60

Hi friends, and thanks for stopping by to read No Degree, No Problem: How to Write a Resume That Gets You Hired After 60.

It’s been a few years since I wrote Old Resumes don’t cut it these Days and Older Ladies – Write a Great Resume to get the Job You Want! Both of these articles still have solid advice but I thought it was time to freshen things up a bit and write an updated article.

Resumes are constantly evolving with what employers are looking for – or not looking for. Unless you’re applying as a model or actor, don’t include a photo! Sure-fire giveaway of your age.

If you’ve spent most of your life juggling low-wage jobs, raising a family, caring for others, or working under the radar, writing a resume can feel like trying to dress up a potato and send it to a job interview.

But here’s the truth: You are more qualified than you think.

You just need to tell your story in a way employers understand. And that means ditching the old-school resume format and learning how to show your value.

Let’s break it down.

1. Forget the traditional resume format

You’re not a recent grad or a corporate executive. So don’t try to copy their resumes.
Instead, use a skills-based (also called functional) resume that puts the spotlight on what you can do, not just where you worked or when.

This format works best if:

• You’ve had gaps in your work history
• You’ve done caregiving, unpaid labor, or informal jobs
• You’ve had many short-term or unrelated jobs
• You don’t have a degree or professional title

Yup, all the above apply to me and I found that the functional resume worked best.

2. What to include (even if it doesn’t look like work)

Here’s what you CAN put on your resume:

• Jobs (even short ones)
• Volunteer work
• Caregiving for family members
• Running a household or helping in a family business
• Informal work (cleaning houses, babysitting, elder care, organizing events, church work, etc.)
• Skills you’ve picked up over the years (see next section)

If you were the one making sure kids got to school, meals were cooked, money was stretched, and people were cared for – you were managing logistics, conflict, time, and resources. That’s work.

3. Highlight your real skills

Employers don’t care where you learned a skill—they care that you can do it.

Make a section at the top called Skills & Strengths and list things like:

• Customer service
• Money handling / cashier
• Scheduling and organizing
• Caregiving (elderly, children, special needs)
• Conflict resolution
• Multi-tasking in fast-paced environments
• Cleaning / food preparation
• Community involvement / event planning
• Microsoft Word, email, texting, calendars
• Phone etiquette
• Patience, reliability, compassion

4. What to leave off your resume

Here’s the truth:

Dates can give away your age before you even get an interview.

Avoid putting these on your resume:

• High school graduation year (no one needs to know you graduated in 1980)
• Old job dates that scream “this person is over 60”
• Jobs that ended more than 20 years ago, unless they’re very relevant
• “References available upon request” – it’s outdated and unnecessary
• Home address – just city and province or state are enough

Stick to the last 10–20 years of relevant experience. Focus more on what you did than when you did it.

5. Writing your work experience (you have more than you think)

Use short bullet points to describe what you did—not just your job title.

Instead of:

Housekeeper, 2015–2020

Write:

• Cleaned and maintained multiple homes on a weekly basis
• Built strong client relationships through reliable and respectful service
• Managed scheduling and payments independently

If you were a caregiver, say:

• Provided daily care and companionship to an aging parent with limited mobility
• Managed doctor appointments, medications, and household tasks
• Maintained a safe, clean, and calm environment

Even if you weren’t paid, it still counts.

6. Include a short confident summary at the top

This is your chance to speak directly to the employer.

Here’s an example:

Reliable and compassionate worker with over 20 years of experience in caregiving, customer service, and household management. Known for showing up, solving problems, and treating people with respect. Eager to bring maturity and strong work ethic to a team that values dedication.

Tailor it to the kind of job you’re applying for – hospitality, caregiving, customer service, retail, etc.

7. Keep it simple and modern

• Use a clean, easy-to-read layout. No fancy fonts or colors.
• Stick to one page if possible.
• Save and send your resume as a PDF (not a Word doc) so it looks the same on every device.
• Proofread it or have someone look it over.

Sample resume for an older woman with no degree and patchy work history

MARIA THOMPSON
Vancouver, BC
(555) 123-4567
mariathompson@email.com

SUMMARY
Dependable, mature worker with over 20 years of experience in caregiving, customer service, and home management. Quick learner, team player, and excellent communicator. Looking to bring a strong work ethic, patience, and compassion to a part-time or full-time role in customer support, elder care, or hospitality.

SKILLS & STRENGTHS

• Customer service and client care
• Scheduling and time management
• Light housekeeping and meal prep
• Reliable and consistent attendance
• Calm under pressure and people-focused
• Computer basics: email, calendars, web search
• Experienced in caregiving (seniors, children)
• Handling money and transactions

WORK EXPERIENCE

Independent Caregiver – Vancouver, BC
2015 – 2025

• Provided in-home care to an elderly client with mobility issues
• Handled cooking, cleaning, shopping, and medical appointments
• Maintained companionship and supported emotional well-being

Housekeeper (Private Clients)
2011 – 2015

• Cleaned and organized homes for multiple clients weekly
• Managed payments, scheduling, and supply ordering
• Ensured high standards and built client trust

Volunteer – Community Church Kitchen & Thrift Shop
2005 – 2010

• Prepared meals for weekly outreach program
• Sorted and managed donations, organized shelves
• Assisted customers and managed small cash transactions

EDUCATION
High School Diploma (no graduation year listed!)
Continuing education in caregiving and first aid certificates (don’t say on request – let employer ask)

Sample resume with retail and food service focus

LORRAINE WALKER
Toronto, ON
(416) 555-7890
lorrainewalker@email.com

SUMMARY
Experienced, dependable worker with a strong background in retail, food service, and customer support. Known for providing friendly, efficient service, staying calm under pressure, and working well in fast-paced environments. Brings maturity, reliability, and strong interpersonal skills to every role.

SKILLS & STRENGTHS

• Customer service & point-of-sale systems
• Food prep & basic kitchen safety
• Inventory restocking & shelf organization
• Handling money and daily cash reconciliation
• Team collaboration & shift flexibility
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Fast learner with a positive attitude
• Cleanliness and workplace safety focus

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Cashier & Stock Clerk – Bargain Town Discount Store
Scarborough, ON | 2018 – 2025

• Operated cash register and handled cash, debit, and credit transactions
• Provided friendly customer service and helped with product inquiries
• Restocked shelves and maintained a clean, organized store layout
• Trained new staff on store procedures and customer interaction

Kitchen Helper – Community Seniors Lunch Program (Volunteer)
Toronto, ON | 2015 – 2017

• Prepared, served, and cleaned up after meals for 40+ seniors
• Ensured food safety and assisted with dietary needs
• Built strong relationships with regular clients and volunteers

Server / Counter Help – Tim’s Café
Toronto, ON | 2007 – 2014

• Took orders, served food, and maintained cleanliness of dining area
• Handled morning rushes with speed and professionalism
• Maintained accurate cash handling and register balancing

EDUCATION
High School Diploma
Food Safety Level 1 Certification (Valid)
Customer Service Workshop – Toronto Public Library

✅ Why This Works:

• No graduation years listed = avoids age giveaways
• Volunteer experience treated as relevant work
• Short, strong bullets focused on what she did, not just job titles
• Mature strengths (like reliability, patience, shift flexibility) are emphasized
• One page, easy to read, and modern

Sample resume: Office Support / Receptionist / Data Entry

SHARON DAVIS
Calgary, AB
(403) 555-2040
sharondavis@email.com

SUMMARY
Organized and dependable office support worker with 15+ years of experience in reception, data entry, filing, and general administrative duties. Known for staying calm under pressure, managing busy front desks, and maintaining accuracy and confidentiality. Brings maturity, discretion, and a strong work ethic to every role.

SKILLS & STRENGTHS

• Reception and front-desk customer service
• Data entry and database updates
• Filing, scanning, and document organization
• Handling mail, deliveries, and office supplies
• Scheduling appointments and managing calendars
• Answering phones, routing calls, taking messages
• Microsoft Word, Excel, basic Outlook and email
• Punctual, professional, and discreet

WORK EXPERIENCE

Receptionist – Dr. Lee’s Family Practice
Calgary, AB | 2019 – 2025

• Greeted patients, scheduled appointments, and managed a busy phone line
• Maintained patient files and checked insurance and billing details
• Handled sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism
• Managed front office supplies and supported the medical assistant team

Data Entry Clerk – Temp Contract / Office Assistant Pool
Various Companies – Calgary | 2013 – 2018

• Entered invoices and payroll records into company systems with 98%+ accuracy
• Prepared documents for mailing, filing, and digital archiving
• Assisted with records clean-up and inventory databases
• Worked short-term roles for busy periods, holidays, or special projects

Mailroom / Office Clerk – LifePath Financial Services
Calgary, AB | 2005 – 2012

• Sorted, delivered, and prepared daily mail and courier packages
• Supported admin team with document prep, copying, and supply restocking
• Tracked incoming/outgoing deliveries and maintained accurate logs
• Helped with year-end document archiving and file room reorganization

EDUCATION
High School Diploma
Computer Basics Refresher – Calgary Public Library
Microsoft Office Intro Certificate – Community Learning Centre

✅ Why This Works for Office Roles:

• Shows reliable, real-world experience without overselling
• Highlights office-specific skills like phones, filing, and basic computer use
• Leaves off dates that reveal age (no grad years)
• Makes short-term and temp work sound stable by grouping it smartly as various companies
• Emphasizes confidentiality, professionalism, and maturity—a big plus in office settings

Your resume isn’t just paper – it’s proof of your strength

You may not have a degree, a corporate background, or a fancy title—but what you do have is just as valuable. You’ve kept things running, held families together, shown up through hard times, and done more than most job ads even list.

A resume isn’t about pretending to be something you’re not. It’s about showing the truth of what you’ve done – in a way employers recognize and respect.

So don’t sell yourself short.

You have nothing to be ashamed of and plenty to offer.

Whether you’re returning to work after a break, shifting into something new, or just trying to stay afloat – you deserve a fair shot. Especially since age is not on your side. And with the right resume, you can open that door.

Good luck!

Published by Cheryl @ The Lifestyle Digs on December 4, 2025.