Job-hunting is never easy, but for older workers looking to return to the workforce after retirement, it can be daunting. However, according to RetiredWorker.ca, following a few simple tips will help ensure your application ends up on top of the pile. “A job application has one purpose: to get you the interview,” says Sarah Welstead, Managing Partner and co-founder of Retired Worker, Canada’s largest employment website designed specifically for older workers. “A successful application is one which piques the potential employer’s interest and isn’t overloaded with irrelevant information.” According to Welstead, 38, older job-seekers can improve their chances of getting an interview by following these simple guidelines:

1. It’s a resume, not a memoir: “Older job-seekers often have 35+ years of work experience behind them, and it can be hard to whittle it down,” says Welstead. “But detailed information about your job as a bookkeeper in 1982 is irrelevant - so don’t let it take up more than a line or two.” Your resume should be 2 pages or less.

2. Follow the application instructions: If the job advertisement says that you should apply online or by email, but you phone, fax or mail in your application instead, you’re making yourself stand out - but not in a good way. “All you’re doing is making it look like you can’t follow simple instructions,” advises Welstead.

3. Make it clear which position you’re applying for: Many companies have several job openings for which they are recruiting simultaneously, and receive hundreds of resumes per week. An application which clearly identifies the position stands a better chance of getting to the right place. “If the hiring manager can’t figure out what job you’re applying for, s/he will simply move on to the next applicant.”

4. Don’t forget the ‘cover email’: “One of the most common mistakes we see among older job-seekers is the assumption that emailing their resume obviates the need for a cover letter,” Welstead reports. “But hiring managers say that a well-written covering email often makes the difference in getting the interview.” Include the position for which you are applying; why you’d make a good candidate, referencing your skills and experience; and that your resume is attached. But keep it brief: 200 words or less.

5. Use a common file format when sending your resume: “Most employers prefer to receive resumes in Microsoft Word format, with the .doc extension,” comments Welstead. “However, if you don’t have Word, you can also use PDF or RTF format. Submitting resumes in obscure or outdated file formats increases the chances they’ll go unread.”

Welstead’s final word of advice? “A job application is an advertisement for a product or service - you. Like all advertising, the goal is to attract attention quickly and favourably, and encourage the person seeing it to take action - in this case, call you for an interview.”