Although the software has been around for a while, many are unaware of how it works. This mistake can be costly because applicant tracking systems process today’s massive numbers of resumes, whittle them down to a manageable size, and select only those that are suitable to pass along to reviewers and recruiters. Therefore, as a savvy applicant, you should presume that the resume you submit to an online posting will be screened in or out by this software.

In order to ensure your resume gets passed along, you’ll need to:

Learn the rules of the game. Applicant tracking systems are programmed to allow only those resumes that match the search criteria (i.e. keywords) to make it through the screening process and eventually wind up on the recruiter’s computer screen. If yours does not reflect what they’re looking for, it will disappear into the black hole of cyberspace—unseen by human eyes.

Give them what they want. You’ll need to match your skill sets to the skills advertised in the posting. Whatever you put on your resume needs to be 100% truthful, however it is your decision as to which skills you choose to emphasize. So ignore your creative urges and repeat the words you find in the posting. Remember—software cannot make assumptions—your resume needs to duplicate the advertised skills as closely as possible.

Placement is Important. If your resume makes it through the screening process of the applicant tracking software, it will eventually be viewed by a human screener/recruiter. Most reviewers claim to give resumes only a 30-second scan to determine whether or not they are worth reading. Therefore your key skills and experience need to be readily visible and literally leap out at the reader. This means you’ll not only need to match the skills/keywords in the ad but also place them at the top of your resume, surrounded by plenty of white space, and using bullet points to catch the eye.

Ask yourself the “so what” question. Although keywords and skills are critical to getting through the initial screening process, you’ll need to sell the reviewer on your abilities by stressing your accomplishments. Asking yourself “so what” after each bulleted statement on your resume will help you focus on the positive results you’ve achieved.

For cutting-edge tips and strategies that will give you the edge over the competition and help you present yourself as the valuable candidate you are, I invite you to check out Land the Job You Love: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50.

Technology plays an important role in today’s job market—but nothing beats the impact of a confident candidate with job search savvy and a winning attitude. And, armed with the right information, this could be you!

But the big news for society is of course that we’re the boomers—the mightiest generation to ever hit the planet—and we’re not taking any of that crap!

So there I am going about my business one day when I hear the familiar sound of my mail carrier’s truck. Hoping for a message from a friend, I race out to the mailbox as fast as my fifty-plus legs can take me. (Just to be clear, I don’t have fifty legs… I couldn’t quite figure out the correct word order—but I trust you get my drift.)

Rather than the anticipated letter, however, there in the pile of junk mail and ads was a message of another sort… one that took my breath away. It was from a magazine I hadn’t subscribed to in years. They wanted me back and must have decided upon some clever marketing scheme aimed at garnering my business.

Now my guess is that the author of this cunning ploy had to be young, probably male, and absolutely clueless because there on the outside of the envelope in great big bold print stood the words that burned my eyes like a hot poker: YOU QUALIFY FOR THE SENIOR CITIZEN OFFER—DETAILS INSIDE!

Yes, I’m proud of my generation. Yes, I’ve come to terms with most of the changes to my body and my looks brought on by age.  And, yes, I’m a champion for the feisty side of fifty. But PUH-LEASE, leave my mailbox alone! Keep your offers to yourself or this ol’ gal just might suggest where you can stuff ‘em.

Well, that’s my rant for the day—I’d love to hear yours. I know you’ve got them because, without a doubt, there’s a whole lot of reasons to get feisty once you’re on the far side of fifty!

So if you are looking for a job or concerned about the one you currently hold, here are four career realities of 2012 you’ll want to bear in mind:

The new job security—You’re considered only as valuable as the skills you offer, the problems you can solve, and the ideas you present. Job security is no longer met through external structures. Rather it is experienced by way of internal direction, innovation and preparation.

Flexibility is key—The ladder of advancement is more likely to be horizontal rather than vertical (i.e., increased skills, experience and training rather than enhanced job titles). Recognize you are the master of your own destiny. Take a proactive approach to your career by keeping current with the demands of the times, identifying opportunities as they arise, and consistently reevaluating your direction.

You have to market yourself—Whether you’re in a job search, vying for opportunities within an organization, or attracting clients or customers to your own business, you’ll need to market yourself as a valuable problem-solver. Although tooting one’s own horn is anathema to many, it’s a necessary skill. And you can learn it!

It’s generally helpful to think of yourself as selling a product—and that product is you. You’ll need to define the product (you) with well-chosen descriptive words, differentiate it from other products, and identify its benefits (how employing you as a problem solver will bring value to the organization). To substantiate your claims, you’ll want to identify and describe problems you have solved in the past, the skills you used, and the positive results you achieved. This way you’ll be providing a framework for demonstrating what you’re capable of accomplishing in the future.

Managing your career in 2012 is a bit like piloting a boat. In order to avoid being blown adrift by the winds of change, you have to adjust your sails, keep your eyes on the horizon, use your skills to best advantage, and proceed along your chosen course. To help you succeed, take a moment to check out Land the Job You Love: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50. Whether you’re currently in a job search or not, preparation and planning will make for smooth sailing… even in the choppy waters of  today’s workplace.

Seemingly everywhere one turned, there was a book or an article about this major life transition. Yet most of these pieces, informative as the were, spoke mainly of the discomfort of perimenopause and little of the wondrous freedom that comes with post-menopausal zest.

Suzanne Braun Levine and I have held many conversations on the topic. Suzanne is the former editor of Ms. magazine turned prolific author of books for women over 50. In fact, she’s just come out with her newest one, How We Love Now, Sex and the New Intimacy in Second Adulthood. Our latest discussion is a mere 15-minutes—well worth your time because Suzanne’s thoughts will resonate with you and deepen your perspective on your own journey through this remarkable stage of life.

In addition to enriching our relationships, the menopausal years provide us with numerous life-affirming freedoms. Many women report they’re happier in their third act than ever before.

Here are four freedoms that are true for me and, I’m guessing, for you as well:

The obvious—no more “feminine hygiene” products, uncomfortable bloating, or monthly mood swings. I often forget this freedom because I’ve now grown accustomed to feeling energetic and happy most every day of my life. However the cessation of one’s period is truly a cause for celebration.

Perspective—I’m freed from many of the worries of my youth. I no longer obsess about details, spend hours worrying that my words may have been misinterpreted, or feel wounded by a friend’s oversight. The realization that life is short is both a lesson in reality and immensely freeing. Perspective is truly one of the greatest gifts of age.

Learning to say “no”—This particular freedom is one Suzanne considers to be one of the most important of them all. As she puts it, it is only by learning to say “no” that our “yes” becomes authentic. In other words, we are now giving ourselves permission to “choose to” rather than to “have to.” This simple act of authenticity frees the individual and everyone in her circle of relationships… no more begrudging acceptance for us!

Learning to love myself—I’ve learned that I truly want to take care of my health, my wellbeing, and my-SELF.  As they say in the commercials, it’s “because I’m worth it!” No longer as concerned with how others may view me, I’m finally, finally realizing that I’m a valuable person in my own right. No more, “if I could just lose 10 pounds, I’d be attractive” thinking for me. I’ve become feisty!

So let’s share the good news with our younger sisters who are deep in the throes of perimenopause. Let’s let them know there is light at the end of the tunnel and, better yet, that light is big, bright, sassy, and incredibly freeing.

And be certain to check out Suzanne’s book—there’s no better way to celebrate love, sex, and the new intimacy than with an old broad’s sense of freedom!

In most ways, we were right. Our gender has gone on to make major inroads in both the private and the public sectors. No longer chained to the kitchen, we’ve traded in our aprons for tool belts and computer chips, and moved from charity bake sales to the trading floors of Wall Street.

Nevertheless, in other ways, women can never compete with men. Men are just downright better off. If you don’t believe the previous statement, here are several reasons why the guys have it so great:

• Same work, more pay.
• They get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
• Wrinkles add character.
• They can open all of their own jars.
• Car mechanics tell them the truth.
• Their underwear is  $8.95 for a three-pack.
• The same hairstyle and clothes last for years, maybe decades.
• A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
• They can play with toys all of their life.
• They can wear shorts no matter how their legs look.
• They only have to shave their face and neck.
• They have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

And my personal favorite…

• The world is their urinal. They never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky!!!

But the issue that affects our quality of life more than any other is almost always forgotten. In fact, it’s omitted from the list of most people’s New Year’s resolutions. Even those of us who concern ourselves with health issues at midlife make light of it, joke about it (see the cartoon below), and yet secretly fear the malfunction of this vital organ more than any other.

Since our brain rules every aspect of our bodies: memories, thoughts, emotions, and connections to both our outer and inner worlds, doesn’t it deserve at least one New Year’s resolution focused on keeping it healthy? I think so… and am resolving to spend a minimum of 10 minutes a day for 4 or 5 days a week keeping my oft-neglected noggin in working order.

I’ve recommended several books on this blog, but aside my own, Land the Job You Love, I’ve never officially advertised anything. That is, until I created the link to Lumosity. I wholeheartedly recommend taking a look at this site.

Their entertaining, varied, and FUN brain exercises are based on extensive research and cutting-edge science from such prestigious institutions as Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, and UCSF.  Based on the principle of neuroplasticity (the brain’s lifelong ability to reshape neural connections), there is now clinical evidence that we can greatly enhance our cognitive functions—no matter how old we are.

Adding to the science behind their games, another great thing about Lumosity is the cost. I’ve seen other brain game programs advertised at significant expense—but Lumosity is literally just pennies a day. So give yourself a real treat in 2012 and click the link in the left margin to find out more. You can give it a free test run so you have nothing to lose.

And let’s remember this thought in 2012: there can be no better celebration of the years past 50 than to keep your synapses sassy and firing in a very feisty way… so make a resolution to do just that!

Traditionally January and February represent the strongest hiring period of the year. In the same manner we’ll be marking the onset of the New Year with our personal to-do lists, organizations will be starting new projects, putting annual budgets in place, and creating initiatives for the upcoming year. More than likely they’ll also need to bring on additional employees to carry out their plans, so there is a seasonal aspect to finding work.

Therefore, this is the time you’ll want to educate yourself as to the most effective means of getting noticed at companies where you want to work. Networking is the number one way to reach power players—those who can influence hiring managers by giving you the all-important nod of approval. For more on this topic, check out my latest post on Huff/Post 5o.

If you want to take advantage of this special time of year, it’s critical learn the rules of the game today and broaden your circle of contacts. That way, you should have plenty of opportunities in the works at all times. You’ll also need the tools to present yourself with confidence by speaking to your strengths in ways that distinguish you, your experience, and your added value from the competition.

To learn the optimum techniques and strategies to bring you success, I invite you to check out Land the Job You Love: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50. It’s packed with ways mature jobseekers can increase their options and come across as the valuable candidates they are. So why not go for it in 2012? What better way to ring in the New Year than with a brand new job?!

Here’s the story:

If you read the recent front page story in the San Francisco Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso and a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off; the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushing them gently around as she was thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude. I pass this on to you, my friends, in the same spirit.

Bar none, the holidays are the best time of year to reconnect with your contacts. Holiday greetings are not only welcomed, they’re expected. So take the opportunity to send out cards and enclose one of those newsy letters people write to update friends and family on what’s gone on with them during the past twelve months.

This way you can greet people you don’t see on a regular basis and look for work at the same time. Using a light touch towards the end of the letter let them know you’re in a job search and what type of work you’re looking to find. It’s also appropriate (and helpful) to mention a few of your target companies and ask friends if they might know someone who works in one of these organizations. You might write something like: “I’ve been targeting companies X, Y, and Z and am interested in finding out more about them from the inside. If you know anyone who works at any of these firms, I’d appreciate you letting me know.”

Now you’ve laid the groundwork by mentioning your target companies in your letter. When you see your friends at holiday gatherings or follow up with them at a later date, you can ask if they were able to come up with any names or suggestions… again in a friendly, lighthearted manner.

Whatever you do, do not ask for direct help in locating a job. This might put your friends on the defensive. Your aim is to make clear you’ll appreciate any and all information your contacts might share. Remember, you’ll want to keep in the holiday spirit and remain festive. So don’t push too hard or overload them with a long list—three or four companies will do for now.

To learn how you can use holiday greetings to contact recruiters and managers with whom you’ve interviewed, check out my latest post on Huff/Post 50. For more information on your holiday job search, you’ll want to look at this brief, 3-minute video of my latest TV appearance. And, for a full recap of why the holidays can make your job search a success, tune into my 15-minute podcast: The Holidays: BEST Time of Year to Look for Work!

So make certain you’re primed and ready to take full advantage of all the season has to offer and take a look at Land the Job You Love: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50. It’s packed with the tools you’ll need to understand the job market of today and present yourself as the dynamic and accomplished candidate you are.

Above all, make good use of this very special time of year. People tend to be a bit merrier and certainly more open to reconnecting. So take the time to reach out, share the warmth of the season, and keep your ultimate goals in mind. Your friendly greetings might just translate into the job you’ve been seeking… and nothing beats ringing in a productive and prosperous New Year!

Suzanne Braun Levine, longtime managing editor of Ms. magazine and author of several books for women over 50, joined me once again on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio to discuss the various ways we undergo a multi-dimensional metamorphosis in midlife.

In truth, the beginning of the big change often looks like we’re standing still. It’s almost as is we go into shock…frozen by the overwhelming and often competing drives and feelings that inhabit out psyches. Do we want to quit our job and pursue a different career that’s more in line with our newly forming passions? Are we willing to step outside of our carefully constructed persona and start speaking up with a forcefulness that might surprise our friends and family? Do we opt to end a long-term relationship, that may be growing stale, in favor of a new one providing novelty and excitement?

All of these questions and more create what Levine terms “the fertile void.” This is the uncomfortable, albeit critically important, period of rebirth. On the other side of the fertile void lives the powerful land of “no” and the increasing ability to “toot.”

Learning both of these skills (and they are learnable skills) are your tickets to moving forward into mastery—living in a state of what psychologist Abraham Maslow called “self-actualization.”

So take a break from the holidays and give yourself time to think about how YOU can conquer new territory, how YOU can create your own state of mastery, and how YOU can experience your own state self-actualization. Take a listen to what Suzanne has to say in our 15-minute interview, at her appearance on TEDx Women, and on her post at Huff/Post 50.

And, if you know a boomer who’s looking for work, be certain to let them know about my own articles on Huff/Post 50. “’Tis the Season… So Get Out There!” and “Seasons Greetings Can Land You the Job” are packed with job search tips and reasons why December is the BEST time of year to look for work!