Experienced / Over 50s

Over-50s CV example (UK)

A modern UK CV example for over-50s: two pages, recent experience first, current skills, and nothing that dates you, such as age or every job since school.

Writing an over-50s CV? Build yours step by step or check the one you have for free.

Example CV profile

Operations manager with extensive experience in [logistics and distribution], most recently running a [40]-person warehouse team at [company]. Known for improving processes, developing supervisors and keeping sites safe and audit-ready. Comfortable with [WMS software, Power BI and Microsoft 365]. Looking for an operations or site management role in [region].

Key skills to include (if true for you)

Team leadership and developing supervisors
Process improvement and lean methods
Health and safety management (e.g. IOSH Managing Safely)
Budget and cost control
Warehouse management systems and reporting
Microsoft 365, Excel and Power BI dashboards
Supplier and customer account management
Change management and training
Recruitment and absence management

Example experience bullet points

Operations manager, [company], [2018 – present]: Lead a [40]-person team across [two] shifts, with [three] supervisors reporting to me.
Introduced a new pick route and slotting plan with the WMS team, reducing walking time and [use your real result, e.g. improving pick rate by n%].
Rolled out handheld scanners and trained every operative and supervisor, with refresher sessions for anyone less confident with the technology.
Kept the site audit-ready, with [zero] major findings at the last [two] customer audits.
Shift manager, [company], [2010 – 2018]: Ran the night shift and cut agency spend by planning rotas around peak volumes.
Earlier career (dates optional): Warehouse team leader and operative roles at [companies].

Illustrative only. Replace with your own real roles, dates and results — never copy experience you don't have.

Education & training

IOSH Managing Safely – [year]
[Power BI / Excel / Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt] – [provider], [recent year]
[Qualification] in [subject] – [college / university] (no need to give the year)

Keywords UK recruiters screen for

operations management · team leadership · process improvement · health and safety · budget control · KPIs · Microsoft 365 · training · change management

Tips for an over-50s CV

Two pages is right for most experienced CVs. Give detail for the last 10 to 15 years and one line each for anything older, under 'Earlier career'.
Leave out your date of birth, age and photo. UK employers don't expect them.
You don't need to give the years for qualifications you gained long ago. The qualification is what counts.
Show current skills: recent courses, software you use now and changes you've led. It answers any worry about being out of date before it's asked.
Lead with results and responsibilities, not the number of years. You don't need to total up your career; 'extensive experience in [field]' works. Let the bullets show what you did with it.
Use modern wording, such as 'Microsoft 365' rather than 'Microsoft Office', and drop dated sections such as 'References available on request'.
Match the level of the job. If you're applying for a less senior role on purpose, say why briefly in your profile or cover letter, such as wanting fewer hours or a new sector.

Pay depends on the role and sector. Check the advert for the salary and any benefits, such as pension contributions or flexible hours. Salary checker (ONS data).

Official sources and further reading

What a strong CV looks like after 50

The best CVs for experienced candidates aren't longer. They're sharper. Employers want to see quickly that you can do this job now, with today's tools. That means:

Two pages, with the most relevant 10 to 15 years in detail.
Recent experience first, with results, not just responsibilities.
Current skills, such as software you use now, recent training and changes you've led.
Nothing that dates you unnecessarily, such as your date of birth, a photo, every job since school or old-fashioned headings.

What to cut and what to keep

Cut or shorten	Keep or add
Date of birth, age, photo, marital status	Name, phone, email, town or city
Every job since leaving school	Detail for the last 10–15 years; one line each for older roles
Years on old qualifications	The qualification, and dates for recent courses
"Objective" statements and "References available on request"	A three- or four-line profile tailored to the job
Long lists of duties	Three to six bullets per recent role, with results
Software that's no longer widely used	Current tools, such as Microsoft 365, Teams and industry systems

Write a profile that leads with value

Start with your role and level, then your strongest results, then what you're looking for. For example:

Operations: "Operations manager with extensive logistics experience, most recently running a 40-person warehouse. Known for improving processes and developing supervisors. Looking for a site management role."
Admin: "Senior administrator with extensive experience supporting directors in professional services. Confident with Microsoft 365, Teams and Xero. Looking for a part-time office manager or PA role."
Changing direction: "Experienced retail manager moving into training and development, with a track record of coaching new managers. Studying towards a CIPD Level 3 qualification."

The CV personal statement generator can help you draft yours from your own experience.

Show that your skills are current

This is the quickest way to answer any unspoken question about being out of date:

List a recent course or certificate, with the year.
Name the software and systems you use now.
Include one or two bullets about change you've led or adopted, such as new technology, new processes or hybrid working.
Tailor your keywords to the advert. Paste it into the job ad keyword extractor to see which ones matter.

Applying for a less senior role, or changing career

If you're deliberately stepping down a level, choosing part-time work or changing sector, say so briefly and positively in your profile or cover letter, for example "Looking for a hands-on role with fewer management responsibilities". Then match your bullets to the job you want, not the job you had. The career change CV guide and the career change cover letter example show how.

Returning after a break?

If you've had time out for caring, health or other reasons, see the returning to work CV example and the guide to explaining a gap in your CV.

Check it before you send it

Run your CV through the free CV checker to see how an applicant tracking system and a busy hiring manager will read it, with a suggested fix for each issue. No account needed. Starting from scratch? The CV builder is free to use and preview in UK format. See the UK CV format guide and how long a CV should be.

FAQs

How should a CV for over-50s be different?

It should be just as modern as anyone else's: two pages, recent experience first, current skills, and no date of birth or photo. The main difference is cutting older detail so the most relevant 10 to 15 years stand out.

How far back should my CV go if I'm over 50?

Give full detail for roughly the last 10 to 15 years. Older roles can go in one line each under 'Earlier career', or be left out if they aren't relevant.

Should I put dates on my qualifications?

You don't have to for older qualifications. List the qualification and where you studied. Do give dates for recent courses, because they show your skills are current.

Can an employer reject me because of my age?

Generally, no. In England, Scotland and Wales, age is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, and Acas confirms the law protects job applicants. An age group such as the over-50s counts. Acas also notes that in some limited circumstances treating someone differently because of their age might not be against the law. Northern Ireland has its own age discrimination law. This is general information, not legal advice. Acas can advise on your situation.

Should I use a skills-based CV if I'm over 50?

Usually not. A standard reverse-chronological CV with a strong profile and a short key skills section is clearer. A skills-based CV can work if you're changing career or returning after a break, but keep your dated work history.

Where can I get free help finding work over 50?

GOV.UK's JobHelp site has free guidance and support for people looking for work, including a section for older workers. Your local Jobcentre and the National Careers Service can also help.

Related examples

UK CV format · Skills to put on a CV · How to tailor your CV to a job description · Cover letter examples · All UK CV examples