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Sharon Marks

Unapologetically opinionated

07/23/20 at 10:30PM UTC

Career

Is My Resume Doing Me a Disservice?

I admit it. I'm confused as heck about how to structure my resume. I'm a Jill-of-all-trades and a womxn in progress. I've got mad skills, I'm very capable, and highly adaptable. The problem--or the opportunity, depending on how you approach it--is that I was forcibly retired recently, and am now job hunting on the open market after 26 years, that after having worked in other industries prior. My full resume is a reflection of the professional chameleon I am, although I've been wearing the same color (technical writer/content strategist teal) for the past 12 years. I love that color. I'd like to stay that color for a while longer. But as I get passed over time and time again for roles that I know I'm a great fit for, I've started to wonder if my resume is doing me a disservice in addition to all the other potential blockers like ageism and over-qualification. I've had my resume professionally redone, and it shows only my time as a content writer/strategist, which fits one page. I've also read articles and blogs about resumes being no longer than a page, and reflecting the job you want. But keeping it concise, means when someone looks at my LinkedIn profile or when I graduated, it's clear there's time missing. And if I include all of my prior years it'll be about five pages long, and quite speckled. So what's a womxn to do to get a job in these parts?

Join the conversation...

Farah Bajwa

338

Manager | Mentor | Consultant | Coach

08/01/20 at 2:08AM UTC

I've skimmed the other comments and agree - tailor to each application is the way to go and that is a chore. From my experience, when applying to the same role in different companies, I've made sure to embed keywords from job descriptions into my resume and that helps me minimize the amount of tailoring. Companies are all about "what can you do for me," so focus on what makes you shine/unique that can be of service to your potential employer. If you want to be absolutely clear on what you want, maybe consider adding a 1 or 2 line "objective" statement or a cover letter

Chris Barham

Full Time Professor/Strayer University

07/30/20 at 6:06PM UTC

Sharon, I will join in the chorus of suggesting that you tailor your resume to each job you are applying for. It is extra work, but it's a great way to show the prospective employer that you fit. Another thing that is frequently overlooked is the value of a strong cover letter. Send one. Again, tailor it to the company and job; do your research about the company and show them the intangibles that you can bring to the business. The only time not to send a cover letter is if the company specifically says not to. As a professor of professional communication (who has heard from lots of students) and someone who has always gotten jobs on the strength of my resumes, I can assure you that these things will make a big difference.

Sharon Marks

Unapologetically opinionated

08/05/20 at 4:26PM UTC

Thanks Chris. Yes, I wholeheartedly agree about cover letters. I'm old (school) ;) so in addition to my cover letter, I also send thank you notes--by snail mail when I can, even.

Krystin Morgan

422

Recruiting Leader & Résumé Writer in Seattle

07/28/20 at 10:57PM UTC

Yes, your resume may be causing some issues. It's hard when you have such a varied background, because it really does mean you probably need a different resume for each type of work you'd be targeting. It's okay if it doesn't match up exactly with LinkedIn; your resume doesn't have to be an exhaustive document of everything you've ever done! It's also okay for your resume to be two pages. :)

Kimberly Samson

Turn Midlife Crisis into Midlife Transformation

07/24/20 at 8:26PM UTC

I know one person that would definitely hire you...YOU. Can you become a contractor/consultant to the companies that hire for your position? With all your experience, you probably have an excellent network of potential clients. Don't give up on the job search just yet but why not see if you can pick up direct project clients?

Sharon Marks

Unapologetically opinionated

07/24/20 at 11:48PM UTC

Excellent suggestion, Kimberly. Thanks much.

Natalia

706

Continuously Evolving

07/24/20 at 3:35AM UTC (Edited)

Here are a few things I've done and learned: I no longer have the year I graduated on my resume nor LinkedIn, even if I still have quite a few years ahead of me, just rather keep it off. It's ok that your resume is more than one page, as someone who has attended multiple workshops on this, I've learned it ok. As long as the experience is relevant to the job you're applying for. If it has been more than 10-15yrs put it in your summary of qualifications.

Sharon Marks

Unapologetically opinionated

07/24/20 at 7:02PM UTC

Thanks Natalia. I've removed the graduation dates from my LI profile.

Allison Butler

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Healthiness

07/24/20 at 3:29AM UTC

I agree with everyone else - you have to tailor your resume a little to each position. Here's what I did to make it a little easier - I added a "profile" or "about me" section to the top of my resume that I customize to each position I am applying to. It has a short bio or mission statement, my "focus" and "values" and I listed out my top 5 strengths. I also have a little "skills" cloud that I can easily adjust based on the requirements for that specific job. The actual content of my resume under my job experience, volunteer work, education, etc. stays the same. I worked with a career coach and we made sure that each of those experience was not a list of duties but an opportunity for me to show off all of my accomplishments and results. I'm happy to chat directly and show you my format if it's helpful! Best wishes :)

Sharon Marks

Unapologetically opinionated

07/24/20 at 7:01PM UTC

Good info. Thanks.

MissyP

Positive cultures impact the bottom line!

07/24/20 at 6:53PM UTC

I love that! Great advice!

Artemis

EMCEE, Event Pro and Creative Writing

07/24/20 at 3:26AM UTC

I totally agree understand all of you. I move to the US in 2014 and my background music is events, my bachelor's advertising and my master's digital marketing, buy my experience was so wide on different industries that is so difficult to summarize. I used to work for a wedding filming business, international cooperation public institution, small adverting agency, restaurant, freelance EMCEE and event host, general assistant and vent consultant for non-profit, coat check attendant fro the events of the restaurant, entrepreneur, and volunteer for a Museum and the Bowery mission

Mandy Trouten

765

Everything at www.mariese-skincare.com

07/24/20 at 1:42AM UTC

I'm also a "Jill of all trades," so to speak. Based on general professional recommendations, I also suggest paring your resumé down to what's immediately relevant to that job. Think of it like using Google. When you google something, you don't want information about everything else. You only want information about what you asked for. I think a resumé is much the same. If the person then looks at your Linkedin and sees other qualities, fine. If s/he wonders about gaps between listings on your resumé, s/he will undoubtedly ask, which will give you the opportunity to address that. In the meantime, a solid headline that highlights your years of experience has been known to do wonders. For example, mine currently says: 15+ years in Photoshop | 9+ years in graphic/web design | 4+ years in advertising/marketing at Mariesé Skincare. If a hiring manager wants to know what I've done outside of this field, they'll ask, or google me.

Sharon Marks

Unapologetically opinionated

07/24/20 at 6:58PM UTC

Makes sense, Mandy. Thanks.

Teresa Solecki, CSM

116

Always looking for something.

07/24/20 at 1:30AM UTC

I agree with tailoring you’re resume to the position. If I apply for a role through LI I always attach my resume myself and then go to the company site and apply because my confidence in ATS’ isn’t high. Not all based on personal experience, recruiter feedback as well. As someone currently looking as well I’ve recently started drafting a Hybrid Resume to add to my arsenal which switches things up. Much more emphasis on your skills and the chronological listing of roles takes a back seat. Worth investigating. Not an easy piece of work but I think worthwhile.