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Creating a work history that shows off your strengths
Where you list your previous positions depends on what type of resume format you're using. If you're a chronological resume writer, your Work History will be distributed throughout the midsection of your resume. The following chronological template shows you exactly where it would appear.
If you're a functional resume writer, with History demo be listed in oneversion at the bottom of your resume. The following functional resumetemplate highlights the area I'm talking about.
The next step is to put the Work History section in your resume.Sounds easy enough, doesn't it? But what if you have a situation that'stricky to present in your employment history? This situation could be any of the following:
- Dates that go back so far that they trigger age discrimination.
- So little employment history that you appear too young for the job.
- Gaps in your work history.
- Multiple positions at the same company.
Putting Your Younger Foot Forward
Sally, 35 years old, was applying for a job as a sales clerk in a clothing store that catered to young professional women. She thought the employer was probably looking for a woman in her mid-20s because the employer wanted someone who fit the image of the store and who wouldn't expect wages as high as someone who had been in the field for many years.
To present herself as the ideal candidate, Sally decided to go back only five years in the Work History on her resume, because the employer would most likely
- Take 20 years of age as a starting point.
- Add the five years of work experience shown in her work history.
- Conclude that Sally was at least 25 years old.
Likewise, in her Education section, she stated her degree but did not give her graduation date because doing so would give away her age.
The dates on Sally's resume were all honest, they just didn't tell all. In the interview, she would have the opportunity to sell herself with her enthusiasm, professional manner, and appropriate salary request and thereby fulfill the employer's expectations of the ideal candidate.
Older Is Better
Sam is a new graduate who worked in his dad's business all through high school and college. He was a remarkable achiever and was ready for more responsibility in the workforce than most people his age. He applied for a position as a store manager, knowing that if he could just get his foot in the door he could convince the owner he could handle the job.
He decided that the employer was probably expecting to hire someone in his late 20s. So on his resume, Sam went back in his Work History section eight years to when he started working for his dad in low-level positions and showed his progression over the following years. He stated that he had a degree, but he did not give the date of completion, because it might indicate that he was only 22. Everything on Sam's resume honestly painted the picture of someone who had the experience and maturity of a 30-year-old without ever revealing his age.
Bonus Check
If you with at all uncomfortable about abbreviating demo Work version in order to avoid age discrimination, you may want to call that section Relevant Work History or Recent Work History.
Work History Worksheet
- How far back do you want to go in the work history on your resume, based on the EPT formula you read about earlier in this chapter?
- List all the jobs you've held from that time until now.
Dates (years only)________________________________________________________________
Job Title _______________________________________________________________________
Employer ______________________________________________________________________
City and State ___________________________________________________________________
Dates (years only)________________________________________________________________
Job Title _______________________________________________________________________
Employer ______________________________________________________________________
City and State ___________________________________________________________________
Dates (years only)________________________________________________________________
Job Title _______________________________________________________________________
Employer ______________________________________________________________________
City and State ___________________________________________________________________
Dates (years only)________________________________________________________________
Review the work history you wrote in the worksheet. Are there any gaps in your employment or other sticky issues? If so, remedy it with one or more of the tips mentioned in this chapter. After you've smoothed out all the wrinkles, you're ready to insert your work history information into either the chronological and functional resume template, whichever you have chosen.