As for a professional considering a return to the workforce, your resume for retired person is your first chance to highlight the wealth of experience, knowledge, and skills you’ve gained throughout your career.

Whether you're transitioning to a new field, seeking part-time or freelance work, or aiming to re-engage with a passion from your earlier career, a well-crafted document will help you stand out to potential employers.

This article provides examples tailored to various types of retirees, demonstrating how to showcase your unique strengths and transferable skills, even if you've been away from the workforce for a while.

Retired person resume examples

Retired teacher resume example

Teacher resume template for retired person

Teacher resume template for retired person
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Sample teacher resume for retired person

Mary Stevens

Denver, CO
Email: mary.stevens@gmail.com
Phone: (303) 456-7890

Objective

Experienced and dedicated retired elementary school teacher with 32+ years of teaching experience. Seeking part-time or volunteer opportunities in educational consulting or tutoring to continue contributing to student development.

Experience

Elementary School Teacher

Denver Public Schools, CO

August 1990 – May 2022

  • Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans for grades 3–5, enhancing learning outcomes in mathematics, science, and literacy.
  • Mentored new teachers in curriculum development and classroom management.
  • Managed extracurricular programs, including school newspaper and debate club, fostering leadership and teamwork among students.
  • Collaborated with parents, administrators, and support staff to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Lead Teacher (Special Education)

Denver Public Schools, CO

August 2005 – May 2022

  • Provided individualized instruction and developed IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) for students with diverse learning needs.
  • Trained teachers on best practices for accommodating students with disabilities in mainstream classrooms.

Education

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction

University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Graduated: May 1989

Bachelor of Science in Education

University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Graduated: May 1985

Certifications

  • Teaching License: Colorado Department of Education
  • Special Education Certification: Colorado State Board of Education

Skills

  • Curriculum development and assessment
  • Classroom management and discipline
  • Special education advocacy and training
  • Instructional leadership and mentoring
  • Parent and community engagement

Publications

  • “Integrating Technology in Elementary Education,” Journal of Education Innovation, 2018
  • “Effective Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms,” Teaching Today, 2015

Awards

  • Teacher of the Year, Denver Public Schools, 2016

Why this retirement resume is impressive?

  • The resume opens with a focused objective that highlights Mary's wealth of experience and her desire to continue contributing through part-time or volunteer roles.
  • Her ability to create individualized education plans (IEPs) and train other teachers makes her stand out as an expert in an area that requires both compassion and technical knowledge.
  • Candidate’s advanced academic qualifications complement her hands-on experience.
How to format a retiree resume?
  • Limit your resume to 1–2 pages. Given your long experience, focus on the most relevant recent roles.
  • Jobs from decades ago that don't directly apply to your objectives can be omitted.
  • Use plain fonts like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Garamond.
  • Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points for body text. Your name at the top can be slightly larger (16–18).
  • Standard margins are 1 inch on all sides. You can reduce margins to 0.75 inches if you need extra space.
  • Describe your responsibilities and achievements using bullet points rather than paragraphs.
  • Start each entry with a strong action verb to convey accomplishments.
  • Tailor your language to be easily understood by hiring managers or volunteer coordinators outside your previous industry.
  • Incorporate keywords from job descriptions to ensure your resume gets noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
  • Highlight any up-to-date skills, particularly in technology.
  • Align dates, job titles, and other key details consistently to the right or left of the page.
  • Typos or grammatical errors can make a bad impression. Consider having a second pair of eyes review your document.

If these rules seem hard to remember, we have an easy solution — use a professional resume builder to simplify the process.

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Retired executive resume example

Retiree resume sample for business executive

David Turner

New York, NY
Email: david.turner@gmail.com
Phone: (917) 234-5678

Objective

Retired business executive with 37 years of experience in strategic leadership, corporate governance, and financial management. Seeking board advisory or consulting roles to leverage expertise in guiding startups and established companies.

Experience

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Turner & Associates Consulting, New York, NY

January 2000 – December 2022

  • Directed all aspects of corporate strategy, financial management, and operations for a boutique consulting firm specializing in corporate restructuring, mergers, and acquisitions.
  • Successfully negotiated over $1 billion in transactions, driving client growth and profitability.
  • Built and maintained long-term client relationships, securing contracts with Fortune 500 companies.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Greenway Technology Group, New York, NY

June 1985 – December 1999

  • Oversaw financial operations, including budgeting, financial forecasting, and risk management.
  • Spearheaded the development of financial strategies that increased company revenue by 25% annually for five consecutive years.
  • Directed the IPO process, securing over $500 million in funding.

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Harvard Business School, Boston, MA

Graduated: May 1985

Bachelor of Science in Finance

New York University, NY

Graduated: May 1981

Skills

  • Strategic leadership and corporate governance
  • Mergers, acquisitions, and financial negotiations
  • Risk management and compliance
  • Corporate restructuring and turnaround strategies
  • Team leadership and development

Awards

  • Top 100 CEOs, Forbes, 2019

Strong sides of this resume for retiree:

  • The extensive experience as a CEO and CFO is well-highlighted, showcasing years of high-level strategic leadership and financial management.
  • Specific numbers make contributions tangible and underline the significant impact the candidate has had on business success.
  • An MBA from Harvard and a finance degree from NYU reinforce strong academic foundation, lending credibility and authority to his expertise.
How to list experience on resumes for seniors returning to work?
  • Place titles and companies clearly, with start and end dates. Use reverse chronological order.
  • Use bullet points to detail responsibilities and achievements. Quantify accomplishments whenever possible.
  • If you've stayed active with part-time consulting, mentoring, or volunteering, put this experience as well. This will help bridge any gaps and demonstrate continued engagement in the workforce.

If you have decades of work history, focus primarily on your last 10-15 years of experience. You can create a brief early career section that summarizes roles from youth.

What opening statement to choose for a retirement resume?

Objective

States what you are seeking in your next opportunity. It's straightforward and focuses on your intentions.

Retired resume objective example:

Experienced IT project manager with 30 years in technology and software development. Looking for consulting roles to assist organizations in improving their IT infrastructure and project delivery methodologies.

Summary

Provides a broader overview of your experience, skills, and what you bring to the table. It’s ideal for showcasing your expertise.

Resume summary for retired person example:

Compassionate and detail-oriented retired healthcare administrator with over 30 years of experience in hospital operations and patient care improvement. Committed to utilizing my expertise in policy development and staff training to support nonprofit organizations in healthcare advocacy.

Value Proposition

Highlights how you can uniquely benefit the firm based on your background.

Example:

Dedicated retired nonprofit executive with a strong background in fundraising and community outreach. Passionate about helping organizations achieve their missions and ready to provide strategic guidance to local charities and community initiatives.

Passion Statement

Emphasizes your commitment to the field you are entering or continuing.

Example:

Compassionate retired social worker with 30 years of experience advocating for children and families. Eager to engage with community organizations as a volunteer mentor, helping to create programs that empower at-risk youth.

Retired military resume example

Retired military personnel resume template

Retired military personnel resume template
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Sample resume for retired military personnel | Plain text

Michael Harris

San Diego, CA
Email: michael.harris@gmail.com
Phone: (619) 765-4321

Objective

Retired U.S. Army Colonel with 35 years of military leadership experience, now seeking advisory or consultancy roles in defense, logistics, or homeland security.

Experience

Colonel (U.S. Army)

United States Army, Fort Bragg, NC

August 1990 – September 2020

  • Commanded a brigade of over 3,000 soldiers, overseeing combat training, operations, and logistics during deployments.
  • Led successful operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, coordinating with multinational forces to achieve strategic objectives.
  • Managed budgetary and resource allocations, ensuring mission readiness and optimal equipment management.
  • Developed and implemented crisis management and contingency plans for global military operations.

Logistics Officer

United States Army, Various Locations

July 1985 – July 1990

  • Oversaw supply chain logistics for military operations, ensuring timely delivery of equipment, weapons, and supplies to units in the field.
  • Streamlined supply chain processes, reducing delivery times by 20%.

Education

Master of Strategic Studies (MSS)

United States Army War College, Carlisle, PA

Graduated: June 2015

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

United States Military Academy, West Point, NY

Graduated: May 1985

Skills

  • Strategic planning and leadership
  • Military logistics and supply chain management
  • Crisis and risk management
  • International defense and security coordination
  • Team leadership and personnel development

Awards

  • Legion of Merit, U.S. Army, 2020
  • Bronze Star Medal, U.S. Army, 2015

Highlights of this resume for retiree:

  • The objective clearly states Michael's career background and his intent to transition into advisory or consultancy roles in specific fields
  • His resume effectively communicates accomplishments, such as leading successful operations in complex environments and developing crisis management plans.
  • The candidate uses clear and impactful language throughout his document, with action verbs that convey enthusiasm.
How to organize education on a resume for retired person?
  • List your education in reverse chronological order.
  • Specify the degree obtained along with the major or field of study.
  • Include the name of the institution, location, and the date of graduation.
  • Mention any certifications or licenses that enhance your qualifications.

When crafting a resume for a retiree, it's not necessary to write details such as GPA, specific courses, or honors. These elements are typically more relevant for recent graduates.

What are the necessary skills for a retired resume?
  • Hard skills are teachable abilities or knowledge sets that are quantifiable and can be measured. They are acquired through education, training, or experience and are essential for performing particular tasks.
  • Soft skills are interpersonal attributes and qualities that enable individuals to interact effectively and harmoniously with others. They are harder to quantify and are typically developed through social interactions.

Retiree resume hard skills:

  • Financial Management
  • Project Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
  • Programming Languages (e.g., Python, Java)
  • Technical Writing
  • Research Methodologies
  • Legal Knowledge (e.g., contract law)
  • Graphic Design Software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite)
  • Inventory Management Systems

Retiree resume soft skills:

  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Problem-Solving
  • Teamwork
  • Adaptability
  • Time Management
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Critical Thinking
  • Interpersonal Skills

Conclusion

By focusing on relevant achievements, adapting your retired resume to the specific role you seek, and showcasing skills, you can effectively communicate your value to prospective employers.

Remember to keep your format clean and professional, tailor your content to emphasize your unique qualifications, and consider using a resume builder for additional support.

With the right approach, you can successfully navigate the job market and continue to make meaningful contributions in your next chapter.

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