Spruce up your resume by keeping it short and emphasizing skills and achievements instead of the length of your experience. Be aware of your health and appearance. Recruiters can sense depression and illness. And a look that is too stylish or too dowdy can ruin a first impression.

YOUR AGE IS NOT THE FOCUS- Don't distract yourself with suspicions of age discrimination -- just keep a positive, confident attitude. Keep your college graduation dates off your resume, and avoid discussing activities that might date you.

If you seem overqualified, recruiters might make assumptions about how much you want to be paid. If a company wants 15 years of experience, trim descriptions of your 40-year career. BUT USE YOUR AGE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE  Stress your loyalty and dedication to a company. Recruiters will contrast that against younger workers' tendency to hop between jobs and prioritize personal time over work engagements.

Seek out age-friendly employers with older employees and executives. AARP has a good list. GET CONNECTED  Stay wired by investing in a computer and a cellphone. Learn core computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheet design and Internet searching.