Need some resume advice

Anonymous

August 24,2023 at 1:53AM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Need some resume advice

About a year ago I was hired to contract for a high-profile IT project. I was hired earlier in the project than is usual for my role, but I considered that as a bonus as I would get to the be part of the project from the very beginning. To make a long story short, all of us were put on online training for months for the system we were to be using, when suddenly upper management decided to make a change. Our manager and key members of the team were fired and not replaced, and the system we were all training on was replaced by another none of us was familiar with, so back the remainder of us went to more, different, online training for the new system. The project went nowhere and was then abruptly cancelled. So now I am trying to come up with something to put on my resume for how I spent this past year, as I accomplished exactly nothing. The online training I spent was not related to my specific role, but rather to the overall data project, so I can't even say that I trained for something that would complement what I actually do. I spoke with my recruiter and she said I could list what my initial job description was that I was hired for, but I did exactly none of that, so I would not be able to answer any interview questions about how I did any of what was detailed on the job description, or she said I could be transparent and state what happened, but I can't see myself being any kind of valid candidate if I say that I spent the last year accomplishing absolutely nothing that contributed to my career or experience on a project that failed before it even had a chance to start. What do I say? Help!!!

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

6 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

6 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousAugust 24,2023 at 1:11PM UTC
I had the very same thing happen to me recently. I used the job description as your agent said and speak to the role and how you did the research to get it off the ground and to final decision. I’ve spoken to my past experiences that relate to the job posting and no need to divulge the failure of the project. I would use the trainings you received as a positive to the strengthening of your skills and that you are leaving because the project ended - period. Best of luck to you
AnonymousAugust 26,2023 at 3:52PM UTC
I think you speak the truth, say that the company invested in a migration project and took resources (you are a resource) to build and migrate things using folks who might be in different roles. As you were directed to do this and still invested in the business and company had no alternative but to be moved over when asked. Ultimately the company shelved the project which is what has led to your search. Then speak about what you want to go back to or to do next and the rest will fall into place. Speak about the year before that and then roll into the what you want next.
AnonymousAugust 26,2023 at 7:40PM UTC
You spent a year working on a project and learned not one but two new systems, so even though the project was canceled, you still got some valuable experience. These new systems can be added to your resume. Although the tangible results may be sparse for how you spent the year, your learning certainly was enhanced. If you are asked about the outcome in an interview, you can say that the company canceled the project.
Susan MyersAugust 27,2023 at 9:18PM UTC
I like the responses from other posters very much. Most of all be positive and use this situation to enhance your efforts, dedication and commitment. Best of Luck
Audrey KirschAugust 28,2023 at 11:08PM UTC
You're willing and capable of learning new things. You're adaptable. When one method is dropped you were able to switch to learning a different way. When managers and team members switched, you went along with the change. You're dependable. You stuck with a project until it was eventually dropped. All of these are transferrable skills that any company would be happy to have.
Katheryn MAugust 29,2023 at 12:42PM UTC
Focus on what you learned and how the soft skills you applied can be applied to other jobs as well. Maybe you didn't accomplish anything directly related to the project that was supposed to be accomplished, but I'm sure there are ways you grew as a person or skills you used and applied and tasks you completed.