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Improving your CV

Updating your CV when you've been working or out of work for a while can be daunting.

You'll need to write a successful CV to make a good impression on potential employers, and overcome the first hurdle to finding a job.

• Improving your CV after 50

Job programmes for over 50s

If you're out of work, whether it's voluntarily or through redundancy, it can take time to find another job, regardless of your age. However, your wealth of experience in the workplace is highly valuable and you can use your knowledge and skills to find employment.

There are specialist programmes and resources available to the over 50s to help you find work or learn new skills.

• Job programmes for over 50s

Job applications, letters and interviews

There are lots of things you can do to make your job application and interview successful. Information and practical advice has been put together to help you prepare.

• Letters and job application forms (employment section)

• Preparing for an interview (employment section)

Learning through work

Learning at work, either through studying for a qualification or taking specific training, is a great way to fit learning into your life. If you're already in work, your employer might be able to help. If you want to get back into work, you can try a work-based learning programme.

• Learning through work (education and learning section)

Helping you into work

At different times in your life you may need extra advice and support to help you into work. Whether you are a lone parent, disabled, leaving school or college, over 50, or simply out of work, there's practical help available.

• Helping you into work (employment section)

Which career is right for you?

Finding the right career can be hugely rewarding, so it’s worth putting some effort into career planning. Start by thinking about what motivates you as a person, then identify careers that match your skills and interests.

• Which career is right for you? (employment section)

Personal learning and careers advice

If you’re looking for personal learning and careers advice, you can get it in a way that suits you. You can meet an adviser and talk face-to-face, have a conversation over the phone or contact an adviser by email: whichever is most convenient.

• Personal learning and careers advice (education and learning section)

Benefits and help when going back to work

If you return to work after being on benefit, some of your benefits will stop automatically straight away. Some will carry on for a short while after you start work to tide you over. You may be able to get other benefits once you're working.

• Benefits and help when going back to work (money, tax and benefits section)

More useful links

• Jobseeker's Allowance (money, tax and benefits section)

• Find a job (employment section)

Useful contacts

• Work and career contacts

• Over 50s contacts