How to write a CV over 50 that shows what you can do now
Decades of experience is a strength. Here is how to shape it into a focused, modern CV, with example wording to adapt and calm answers to the questions you may be asked.
Before you start
A long career gives you more to offer than most applicants, but it can also make a CV long, crowded and full of dates. The aim is to show the most relevant part of your experience clearly, and to make it obvious that your skills are current.
Age is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, so employers should not treat you less favourably because of it. You can also help yourself: a focused CV keeps the reader’s attention on what you can do, not on how long you have been doing it.
How to handle it on your CV
Step by step, from the layout to the last line. Take what fits your own story.
Want a clean layout to start from? See our professional CV templates.
Give the last 10 to 15 years the space
Write up your recent roles in full, with achievements. Older jobs can go in a short "Earlier career" section with one line each, or a single sentence that sums them up. Two pages is enough for most people.
Leave out your age and date of birth
UK CVs do not include a date of birth, age, photo or marital status. You can also leave off the years you gained school and early qualifications: list the qualification and where you studied.
Show your skills are current
Name the systems, tools and methods you use now, in today’s terms, and list recent training with the year. If you have learned something new in the last few years, such as a new system or a qualification, make it easy to spot.
Match the level of the job
If you are applying for a role below your last job title, tailor the CV to it: lead with the hands-on skills the advert asks for, and keep senior responsibilities that are not relevant brief. Explain the choice in your cover letter, in a positive way.
Write a profile with energy
Three or four lines on what you do best, what you have achieved recently and what you want next. Show adaptability with real examples, such as leading a change, learning a new system or mentoring newer colleagues.
Keep the format clean and modern
A simple one-column layout, a readable font, clear headings and a personal email address you check often. A link to an up-to-date LinkedIn profile helps if you keep one. Our professional CV templates are a good starting point.
Example wording to adapt
An example about a made-up person, to show the shape and the tone. Swap in your own facts, dates and words.
Operations manager with a strong record in logistics, most recently running a regional distribution centre with a team of 60. Led the move to a new warehouse management system in 2024 and trained every shift to use it. Calm in a crisis, good with people and keen to keep learning. Looking for an operations or site management role in the Midlands.
Earlier career
Shift manager, transport planner and warehouse roles with national hauliers, from the warehouse floor to running night operations.
Training
- Warehouse management system: superuser training (2024)
- IOSH Managing Safely (2023)
- Mental Health First Aider (2022)
What to say at interview
Most interviewers simply want to know you will fit in, keep learning and stay a while. If a question touches on age, stay friendly, answer the real concern behind it and bring it back to what you offer.
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How would you feel being managed by someone younger than you?
Show you judge people by what they do, not by their age, and that you are easy to manage.
An example to adapt
It would not bother me at all. I have worked for managers of all ages, and what matters to me is clear goals and honest feedback. I would also be glad to share what I know if it helps the team.
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Aren’t you overqualified for this role?
Explain why you want this job, at this level, and why you will stay motivated in it.
An example to adapt
I have done the senior side, and I know that what I enjoy most is being hands on with the team and the customers. This role lets me do that every day, and my experience means I can be useful from my first week.
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Where do you see yourself in five years?
Answer as anyone would: talk about growing in the job and what you want to achieve. You do not have to discuss retirement.
An example to adapt
Doing this job really well, and ideally taking on more, such as training new starters or leading improvements. I am looking for somewhere I can settle and build on.
Preparing for a particular job? See our interview questions by job.
What to leave out
- Your date of birth, age, a photo or the years you left school.
- Every job since you started work. Summarise the early years in a line or two.
- Old-fashioned extras such as "References available on request" or a list of software nobody uses now.
- An opening line about how many decades you have worked. Lead with what you achieved instead.
- Apologising for a long career, or for wanting a less senior role.
Read next
Over 50: your questions
How far back should a CV go if I am over 50?
Usually the last 10 to 15 years in detail, with earlier roles summarised in a line or two. Go further back only if an older role is directly relevant to the job.
Should I put dates on my qualifications?
You do not have to. Listing the qualification and where you took it is enough for school and early qualifications. Recent training is worth dating, because it shows your skills are current.
Can an employer ask when I plan to retire?
There is no default retirement age in the UK, and treating someone less favourably because of their age can be unlawful age discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, so careful employers avoid the question. If you are asked, you can answer briefly about your plans for the job, and you do not have to give a date.
How long should my CV be?
Two pages is right for most people, even with a long career, because you summarise the early years. Our guide to CV length has more detail.
Keep going
- Professional CV templatesFree designs that keep your story clear, with no watermark.
- Cover lettersExample letters by job: a good place to explain your situation in a sentence or two.
- Free CV checkerA CV Score out of 100 and the fixes to make first, in about 30 seconds.
Other CV guides: Returning to work After redundancy Moving into management No degree Leaving the armed forces
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