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Relaunching after 20 years...
Hello from Atlanta! I have found quite a few resources as I enter this new season of life but I have to say, FGB is proving to be a really comprehensive and encouraging tool! Thank you!
I won't go into depth about my my journey but I do have a question....as someone who "retired" when I was fairly young to raise my family and care for a parent, is it recommended to write a chronological or skills based resume? I have erred on the side of skills based to summarize a lot of my project mgmt, fundraising and tech skills for non-profits, albeit voluntary. However, as I have been looking into having it professionally rewritten, the companies are recommending I use a chronological format. I'm almost 50 years old and have quite a lengthy list if I were to go ALL the way back to when I was working full-time. What is the school of thought on this situation?
Kati
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10/06/20 at 6:09PM UTC (Edited)
Thank you all for the insights! Job search tools are definitely different than 20 years ago ;). I'm still an advocate of good old fashioned networking, however the addition of technology resources have certainly enabled us to cast a much wider net. A little intimidating but ultimately a very exciting new chapter!
Anne BarnwellResumes that get results
791
10/06/20 at 2:48PM UTC
It is hard to know exactly the best approach without seeing all of the information--and trust me--I have been there. I was out of the workforce for 12+ years.
Here is my best guess as a resume writer--I would recommend a combined resume. The top should be skills and accomplishments focused. But then lead to chronological resume with voluntary work incorporated into the relevant experience.
I also have a great line that I include as a placeholder between current time and past work experience, highlighting a career sabbatical.
Finally--don't ignore other job search tools such as your LinkedIn profile and perhaps a single-page networking resume to help you get your foot in the door. Returning to the workforce requires a bit more creativity but it can be done!
Good luck!
Diane
50
10/06/20 at 2:03PM UTC
Most employers aren't interested in more than 10 years back. You might consider a chronological and a functional version if you feel the last 10 years is insufficient. The functional resume will allow you to list the skills you've acquired over any period of time that you feel are relevant. If you were doing volunteer work during the 20 years you were out of the paying work force you should include those (looking 10 years back). 50 is not old and you are not obsolete!!
Amy Elrod-LahtiHR Professional | Coach | Consultant/Advisor
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10/06/20 at 1:14PM UTC
Hi Kati, I am going to concur with the others who have commented, and say that a skills-based resume is going to serve you better than a chronological one. You should definitely list relevant volunteer experience in chronological order in the "experience" section - that will help the Applicant Tracking Systems you're submitting to "read" the resume - but focus on the skills you're going to bring to the table. Tracey's advice about focusing on results is excellent: that should be the focus even for volunteer jobs. Something like increasing net funds raised at a gala event by 40% from one year to the next is an accomplishment and should be treated as such. Good luck to you!
Donna Fullerton
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10/06/20 at 12:52PM UTC
I would recommend skills based resume. I have my skills listed and then the important Jobs listed from when I was young. I skipped over quite a few short hires for brevity.
Tracey MorrisDirector of Talent Strategy at WVU
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10/06/20 at 12:50PM UTC
I would recommend a skills based resume. Focus on your experience and any concrete accomplishments (increased sales by 30%; reduced cost by 20%). If an employer requires a chronological history, they will definitely ask for it. In my experience, if the company needs that information, it will be part of their application process and not necessary to include on your resume.
Monica HilgenbergDriver Mentor Coordinator
493
10/06/20 at 12:45PM UTC
While I can not speak for all I have always preferred a skills based resume. If I have specific questions about past employers I will ask. Who you worked for has never mattered to me quite as much as what you could bring to my table.
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