Submission contribution by Kimberly Sarmiento, professional writer, published author, one of YOUR Team Career members.
Some clients have a direct progression in their employment history. Their career path is like a long stretch of freshly paved interstate, no speed bumps, no pot-holes, and no off-ramps.
But there are others out there, including myself, who have more interesting employment histories. Our career path is like a county road with large divots and plenty of side streets – we might even switch to dirt road and back to blacktop again.
These types of resumes may need to address frequent job changes, seemingly unrelated positions, and time off for personal reasons. That’s ok! You don’t have to drive along an employment interstate to have plenty to offer a potential employer. You just have to know how to make the scenic drive look as appealing as possible.
Fill in Pot-Holes:
The consensus of the three major resume writing associations is that years are enough for your employment history. So right from the start, you can eliminate “holes” in your resume if you went unemployed for a few months by just using your starting and ending year.
Example:
Don’t Do:
Most Recent Position: Employer: March 2009-Present.
Previous Position: Employer: Jan. 2004- April 2008
Do:
Most Recent Position: Employer: 2009-Present
Previous Position: Employer: 2004-2008
Connect the Dots:
Seemingly unrelated positions, particularly those that appear unrelated to the position you are applying for may give a hiring manager a reason to overlook your resume. That is why it is best to lead with accomplishments – not your job history.
When you begin your resume by highlighting your skills and accomplishments you show right from the start that you are qualified for the position you seek. If you have the figures and data to back up your claims, that is what will sell you to your potential employer.
Keep the Road Going:
Having spent several years as a stay-at-home mom, I am familiar with the gap that this can leave in your resume. Hopefully, you will have spent some time working in a volunteer capacity or in part-time or freelance positions that will keep your resume current.
NOTE: If you are in the middle of taking time off for personal reasons – pursue opportunities now – education, volunteer, or part-time – that will reflect well in your resume when you return to work full-time.
If you have, then use these positions to create a continuous, if unconventional, career path. If you have not, then you will need to address these gaps in your resume during your interview, so be prepared to discuss why your skills are still sharp and what you have learned during your time off that will add to your value.
Once again, leading with your accomplishments will be an invaluable strategy if you are in this position. You do not need to identify a time frame for your key bullet points. You simple need to show the action you took and the results. If you saved a company $2M and increased revenue $10M, it really doesn’t matter if it happened five years ago – those are still results you should own and spotlight.
Prove you are a Safe Driver:
The appearance of job-hopping can trigger a lot of concerns for a potential employer. If you have been employed at several locations in a short period of time, there are a few ways you can mitigate the appearance of being a flake.
You do not need to include every position you have held. If you left one job at the end of 2007, held your next position from April to July of 2008, and then took another job in September of 2008 and currently hold that job – you can omit the middle position without showing a gap in your employment (remember we are using only years – not months). So unless that position adds value to your resume, leave it out.
Finally, changing jobs can be due to career advancement. There may be times when you will want to mention: Recruited to or Hired to establish in a line underneath your position to show that your change of positions is a reflection of your talent. Just be prepared to discuss any questions your employer may have about loyalty and commitment in your interview.
So to recap, even if you are on a career path that needs to be repaved and resurfaced, you can still produce a resume and cover letter that paints you in the best possible light. Always be truthful in your resume and answer all interview questions honestly, but use the above tips to give you an edge.
Danny Huffman, MA, CEIP, CPRW, CPCC, author, educator, and co-owner of Career Services International/Education Career Services, www.educationcs.com. He may be reached directly at [email protected] or visit his Career Blog at www.educationcs.wordpress.com.
