How to Create a Resume to Smooth Over 6 Common Job History Problems

Resume Problem 1: Employment gaps, including lengthy stretches of unemployment:

Solution: Only put on your resume the years you worked at each job, not the month and the year. Example: 2004 to 2009, not June 2004 to January 2009. If you were laid off in January 2009, and put this date on your resume, prospective employers will do the math and figure out you’ve been out of work for 17 months; however, if you just write the years, for all they know you could have been laid off in December 2009…5 months ago. Tons of people have been out of work that long. And, if your resume is well written with a good Look and Feel, companies will give you the benefit of the doubt and likely invite you in for an interview.

Resume Problem 2: Avoiding Age Discrimination:

Solution: Only list the last 20 years of your work experience. Beyond that, how relative is that experience? If you worked somewhere for 20+ years, you won’t be able to get around this. Also, do not list your college graduation dates unless you are in your 20’s or 30’s. Keep prospective employers in the dark about your age.

Resume Problem 3: Too many recent job changes:

Solution: If these job changes were beyond your control, list in brackets beside the company a short explanation. Examples: (50% RIF), (closed plant), (moved to Mexico). You could also include this information in a cover letter, but putting them on your resume guarantees they will be read whereas many cover letters aren’t read.

Resume Problem 4: college degree that doesn’t fit job opening…or no degree:

Solution: In this case, don’t list your specific degree: Geography, Greek Literature, English, History, Music, Philosophy, etc. Just show your degree as: Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Arts. If you didn’t complete your degree, write the name of the college and Economics Major, or whatever you majored in. That’s it. Don’t write how many credit hours you earned or how many hours you have left to graduate.

Resume Problem 5: Hard-to-figure-out job title: Many companies have job titles that no one outside their company has any idea what you do.

Solution: It’s OK to change your title to a universal title that everyone understands. The more your title sounds like what you are applying for, the more likely you will be invited in for an interview. Examples: District Sales Manager vs Customer Sales Rep; Program Manager vs Product Manager; Plant Manager vs Site Manager; Buyer vs Materials Specialist.

Resume Problem 6: Weak resume objective statements: Don’t put a bunch of fluff at the top of your resume like:  Objective: Looking for a growing company in need of a dynamic leader to help them exceed their goals. Also, never write…20 years of experience in purchasing… Anything that dates you is a no, no.

Solution: Resume objective statements are nothing more than the position you are targeting. If you are responding to an ad for a job posting for a Buyer in a manufacturing setting, write: Buyer in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This makes it easy for those screening your resume to quickly figure out what job you are targeting or applying for. Also, the more you tailor your resume to the job description, the more likely you will be interviewed…assuming, of course, your skills match the job description.

About the Author:

Michael Petras is a veteran Executive Recruiter of 14 years and also spent 20 years in the Recreational Vehicle Industry as a Regional Sales Director. He hired and trained over 50 sales professionals. Many have since gone on to become Directors, Executives, and Presidents of companies both inside and outside the RV Industry. Mike conducts community workshops for job seekers and career changers on a volunteer basis. He also publishes a daily blog and a monthly newsletter available through his website: http://www.job-interview-wisdom.com.