AUTHOR: David M. Young – Managing Partner Search Technology
When a potential employer is reviewing your resume, you have to remember that they are screening you in, not screening you out. When people write resumes, they often forget this simple concept. If there is something that you may be concerned about in your resume history, you must be intentional in addressing it as opposed to hoping it goes “un-noticed”. Trust me … whatever it is, it will be noticed.
Some problems that you must address when you write your resume include:
- An employment gap
- Job Hopping
- No Degree
- Concurrent Jobs
- Re-entering the workforce
Employment Gap – So what if you were laid off, took a leave from employment for personal reasons (sick relative, personal sickness) and were not employed, just took a long time to find a job? Is this a concern for an employer? Yes, why did you not work? Is there an issue in your past? Were you not competent? Did you burn too many bridges? These are all questions an employer might wonder. So if there is a gap in employment, what can you do on your resume? One quick and easy item if it is just a few months is to use years instead of months on your date of employment for past organizations. You never want to lie on a resume, but if asked about months during an interview, you can then explain briefly…and at this point, you know the employer is interested because they have selected to interview you. If your gap was for an extended period of time, stretching across years for instance, you need to etiher just leave it on your resume, or, if you did any consulting or related work, include that on your resume. It will show initiative and drive.
“Job Hopping” – Or a bunch of short term projects/contracts? First off, don’t try and explain in the resume. If these are independent consulting projects, then identify them as a single “grouping” of employment. If you have a personal company, you can use that name (i.e. Smith consulting, or John Doe Enterprises.) If not a common company, then group this effort under a single title. Don’t over explain, rather be ready to discuss in an interview. But, if you present appropriately, truthfully, and show the associated skills used, you will create conversation in your favor during an interview.
No Degree – You never finished your degree and it is commonly required in your field. You could address this by not addressing it and not include educational background. But again, never lie. You could show hours achieved towards your degree or hours remaining to earn your degree, but only do this if you plan on completing your degree. If not having a degree is keeping you from gaining employment, then it is time to pull up your boots and just get it done. Once you have a degree, it is no longer a concern and often times just having a degree is required, not a specific degree.
Concurrent jobs – You had to work two jobs to make ends meet, or you worked your full time job and were an advisor for another job. If you show these as two simultaneous jobs, an employer may question your loyalty or that you may get distracted. You want them to know you are a hard worker and will be dedicated. If you held two roles for a single employer, then no issue. Jus list the employer and then show each job as separate duties. But if for two separate employers, you should either show both roles and give simultaneous dates and be ready to discuss, or if one is a very minor role that never required much time, do not list it. But remember, most importantly, always be honest…don’t change dates.
Reentering the workforce – You stayed home to raise kids, you had an elongated health issue, or something along these lines and it has required you to reenter the workforce after not working for many years. Most importantly, that is fine. It allows an employer to understand what is important to you. Never put “sabbatical” on a resume as it just raises more questions and may lend someone to thinking you are lazy. Rather leave the gap in place. If you did some applicable volunteer work or education while you were out of the workforce, then list that work. You may have handled the PTA budget, you might have managed people as a volunteer, did you develop programs that solved problems? Were you involved in fundraising or worked as part of team? Life experiences can be applicable. Note them, but be careful to not water down your resume with experience that is not applicable to your field. Rather list the roles and allow them to speak for themselves (that is that you will work hard at whatever you do.)
There are so many more issues that can be “red flags” on a resume, but these items discussed above cover most of the main ones. Of course on each specific concern, there is so much more to think about. Google your concern and see what other experts have to say. Then embrace what makes sense and don’t follow advice if it does not make since to you. Your resume is exactly that….YOUR RESUME, and no one else’s.
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