When I was laid off at 55, I opened my resume for the first time in years and froze. The format looked dated. The dates gave away my age. And every ad on my screen promised a “guaranteed” new job if I’d just pay $299.
As tempting as it was to pay someone to fix it, I decided to try it myself first. I also passed it to a few younger friends, asked for their honest feedback, and updated it from there.
I’m still in it. I’m working through these same steps until my resume feels right. If you’re there too, here’s what I’ve learned so far: what you can fix yourself for free, which kinds of paid help actually make sense after 50, and the red flags that should make you close the tab.
Start with the free fixes
Before you spend a dollar, do these five things. They take an afternoon and solve most of the "my resume looks old" problem.
Cut it to the last 15 years. Hiring managers care about recent work. Older roles can go in a short "Earlier experience" line with no dates.
Remove graduation years. Keep the degree and school. The year adds nothing except your age.
Drop the objective statement. Replace it with a 3-line summary of what you do best and the results you've delivered.
Modernize the basics. One clean font, a LinkedIn URL, a professional email address, and no street address (city and state is enough).
Use free local help. Your public library and your state's unemployment or career center often offer free resume reviews and workshops. Call and ask.
Ask someone younger to read it. They’ll spot what looks outdated in seconds. Mine did.
If your resume still isn't getting responses after this, that's when paid help can make sense.
The three kinds of paid resume help (and who each is for)
Not all resume help is the same product. Pick the type that matches your actual problem, not the one with the loudest ad.
1. Do-it-yourself resume builders
Best for: You write well and know what you've accomplished, but your format looks like 2009.
These are online tools with modern templates. You type in your experience and they handle the layout. Some are free to use, like Career.io. Others charge a monthly subscription.
Options to look at: Career.io, MyPerfectResume
Watch for: Low trial prices that auto-renew monthly. Download your resume, then cancel if you don't need ongoing access.
2. Resume checkers for screening software
Best for: You're applying to lots of jobs and hearing nothing back.
Many employers run resumes through software before a person ever sees them. A checker compares your resume to a specific job posting and shows which keywords and skills are missing.
Option to look at: Jobscan
Tip: Use the free scans first to see whether keywords are really your problem before you pay.
3. Professional resume writers
Best for: You're changing fields, condensing a long career, or you simply hate writing about yourself.
A real writer interviews you or reviews your history and builds the resume for you. This is the most expensive option, but it can be worth it if you've been stuck for months.
Options to look at: TopResume, ZipJob
Ask before you buy: How many revisions are included? Do they write a cover letter and LinkedIn profile too, or is that extra?
Quick comparison
Free fixes: $0
Best for: Everyone. Start here.
Options: Your library, your state career center
DIY resume builder: Free, or $2.95 trial
Best for: A dated format, but you write well
Options: Career.io (free), MyPerfectResume ($2.95 for 14 days, then $23.95 every 4 weeks unless you cancel)
Screening software checker: A few free scans, then $49.95/month
Best for: Lots of applications, no replies
Options: Jobscan
Professional resume writer: About $139–$349 (one-time)
Best for: Career changes, long histories, or being stuck for months
Options: ZipJob (starts around $139), TopResume (starts around $179)
Tip: Higher packages add a cover letter and LinkedIn update. Decide what you actually need before you click “upgrade.”
Red flags before you pay anyone
When you're scared about money, it's easy to get sold. Close the tab if you see any of these:
Guarantees with no clear refund terms. Read exactly what happens if it doesn’t work.
Pressure to upgrade. A $99 package that turns into $400 at checkout.
No samples or real reviews. A legitimate writer can show you before-and-after examples.
Auto-renewing subscriptions. Read the fine print before entering your card. Set a calendar reminder to cancel.
Upfront payment with no revision policy. You should get at least one round of changes.
A resume is only one piece
A layoff after 50 isn't just a job search. It's severance, health insurance, a budget that suddenly has to stretch, and a dozen deadlines at once.
That’s why I made the 50+ Layoff Financial & Job Search Toolkit, a simple Excel workbook for tracking your budget, applications, and next steps in one place. I built it while going through this myself. It’s the organizer I wish I’d had my first week.
Frequently asked questions
Is a professional resume writer worth it after 50? It can if you're changing careers, condensing 25+ years, or you've applied for months with no responses. If your only problem is an old format, a DIY builder costs far less.
How far back should my resume go? About 15 years in detail. Anything older can be summarized in one line without dates.
Should I hide my age on a resume? You don't need to hide it, but you don't need to advertise it either. Remove graduation years and very old roles, and focus on recent results and current skills.
You've done harder things than this
We're the generation that let ourselves in after school and figured it out. A resume is just one more thing to figure out, and you don't have to overspend to do it. Want more practical help for Gen X navigating work, money, and what's next? Join the Latchkey Vibes list.