As they say there’s only one thing that is for certain – and that is change.
So it is for all of us. We change the companies we work for. We change positions. We change career paths. We change interests and so on.
This is vitally important to be aware of when it comes to making a resume.
The reason being that many people’s resumes aren’t focused enough – they are all over the place.
Firstly they get qualifications in hair styling. Then they work in a childrens nursery. Then they study for a computer course part time while working at an accountants. And so on.
This doesn’t give a cohesive, focused image, which is what you need for impact with your resume.
It smacks of someone who can’t make decisions. Someone who may leave the new company within a few months after getting a load of training. It doesn’t instill confidence in recruiters.
Not when you might be up against someone who has worked they way right up in a closel competitor and so may have a lot of useful insider skills you don’t seem to possess.
What you need to do is to edit and structure your resume in such a way as to focus *everything* toward the job you are trying to get.
I’m not saying lie. What I’m saying is to arrange the facts in an honest yet powerful way that will help you look like everything you have done in your career so far has been working up to the new job you are applying for. You want it to look like the next logical step for you – like you’d be a natural in the role. Like it just “makes sense”.
Let’s say the person we mentioned earlier is attempting to get a job as an Office Manager and see what we can do with her experience to date.
Gaining additional qualifications shows drive. Maybe it’s what what she ended up doing but we can get around that.
In the nursery she got used to working as part of a team, sticking to strict guidelines about child care etc.
More training.
Then an accountants job as she moves into a more professional aspect of her career.
So here’s how it goes at interview…
“When I was at school, like any other girl, I liked hair and beauty and at the time decided I wanted to get into hair styling. So as soon as I finished school, I managed to get a grant to stay on and study for something I really wanted. Now, on reflection, the industry is very tough so I made an unfortunate choice in terms of the industry but the fact remains I had the guts and motivation to go after something I wanted and make it happen.
Once I wised up and realised that hair styling wasn’t going to cut it (no pun intended) I sought other temporary work while I figured out what I wanted to do next.
Luckily, a nursery job appeared after one of the girls from my course put in a good word for me.
So while doing that I considered my options, and that it was time to see how I got on in an office environment. The accountant for the nursery liked my attitude so much they offered me a trial – which I loved – while I studied for recognised computer qualifications.
So here I am – motivated enough to put myself through *two* training courses, computer literate, experienced in an office environment and in dealing with fine details often in a busy or stressful environment.”
OK, so maybe she still won’t get the job but I just wanted to illustrate the skill – put a “spin” on previous jobs and qualifications to “aim” them at the job you are now applying for.
And if the worst comes to the worst, consider even leaving one or two points out if they simply “unspinnable”!
