Earlier I answered questions from a frustrated job seeker who, despite stellar credentials and carpet-bombing the area with resumes, hadn’t landed his first interview. We spent some time together discussing his resume, and I provided the candid feedback he requested. It wasn’t pretty.
His resume was too long, too wordy, and too hard on the eyes. It contained too much jargon, and was written in a format many interviewers reject outright.
Yep, those last five words got his attention, too. What format is routinely rejected? It’s called “functional” and instead of listing companies, job titles, and dates of employment, it categorizes and organizes strengths and experience in topic/paragraph form. It’s an attractive concept, easy to write and easy to understand but most interviewers haven’t taken to it. Here’s why: When employers are pressed for time, which is the norm, and faced with stacks of resumes, they want to be able to take an efficient glance (20-30 seconds) and quickly grasp what candidates have done and where they’ve done it. They want to focus on accomplishments and read them in bullet points. To achieve that they prefer resumes that are uniform in presentation and written in “reverse chronological style”.
The reverse chronology outline benefits job seekers with stable track records. It sheds a negative light on individuals who, for a variety of reasons, have changed jobs more frequently than their potential employers will tolerate. Which is why short timers find comfort in a functional format that enables them to describe their perceived strengths and experiences without having to reference their lack of longevity.
If you feel like a job- hopping resume is getting in your way, you’ll want to reframe your record in a more positive light. That will require getting in front of an employer before your resume does. And that, dear friends, takes networking.
When you network effectively you can proactively sell your attributes and reposition your deficiencies without having to play defense and make up excuses to cover your past. Then, when you’re asked to provide a resume you can say (if appropriate):
“My resume is an outline of what I enjoy most and when I’ve been most successful. I’m a trouble- shooter. I can assist my employer in finding new and creative ways to solve business problems. Once the problems are solved, I’m ready to move on to the next challenge.
I’m looking for that next challenge now. I like to work with companies whose production numbers are slipping, product quality dropping and revenues sliding because I’m able to fix what’s broken and to anticipate what’s heading in that direction. I then replace myself by training others to do the same thing. Who do you suggest I contact who can benefit from what I offer?”
Don’t hide your job mobility, clarify it. If you’ve lost several jobs because companies downsized or went under, say so, and talk about your loyalty, hard work, and determination. If you’ve lost jobs because you were asked to leave, describe your strengths and your commitment to joining companies where you have opportunities to maximize those strengths.
Choose your jobs wisely. If you think you’re gorgeous, talented, and smart and your boss thinks otherwise you have a recipe for dismissal and your resume is chopped liver.
Increase your self-awareness by routinely seeking objective, timely feedback. Ask questions and learn from what you hear and what you see.
Not everyone is cut out to be in management. If you’re a great individual contributor that’s the job you should have. Not everyone is well suited to business, industry, or finance. If your heart is in not-for-profit, that’s what you should pursue. Take charge of your career and you’ll have a resume that does you proud.
