CREATING RESUMES AND IMPRESSING POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS

Life Events Happen…but how does that impact your resume?

Creating a resume that will impress potential employers is no easy task. It can be especially challenging when you have some potential land mines in your resume that could cause concern for a hiring manager. It is important to identify these potential issues and address them in your resume.

Employers are looking for reasons to weed out potential candidates. They want to hire someone who is low-risk and will be an asset to their company. They don’t want to hire someone who may cause problems or be unreliable. This is why it’s important to make sure that your resume doesn’t contain any land mines that could cause concern.

One of the most common land mines is large gaps in time between jobs. This could be due to a number of reasons such as taking time off for personal development or being a caregiver. It’s important to address these gaps in your resume by explaining what you were doing during that time. This will show the employer that you weren’t just sitting around doing nothing, but rather were actively engaged in self-improvement or taking care of a loved one.

Another potential land mine is having many short-lived positions. This could be a red flag for employers, as they may wonder why you can’t seem to hold down a job for very long. To address this, make sure to note any contract work you have under a separate heading, so it can be easily identified. It’s also important to make sure there is a need to include all of these positions.

If you’ve never had a job before, this can also be a concern for employers. They may wonder why you’ve never worked before and if there’s a reason for it. If this is the case, it’s important to highlight any volunteer work or extracurricular activities you’ve participated in to show that you have skills and experience that would be beneficial in a job.

Not having current and enough references can also be a potential land mine. It’s always best to include at least one personal and one business reference. A business reference could be someone you have worked for or someone with a service provider. Make sure your references are up-to-date and willing to speak on your behalf.

Incomplete studies can also be seen as an inability to commit and see something through. If you have incomplete studies, it’s important to explain why you didn’t finish and what you learned from the experience. This will show the employer that you are committed to your goals and willing to learn from your mistakes.

Finally, lifestyle choices or consequences such as drug addiction or prison time can be a problem. It’s important to be upfront and honest about these issues in your resume. Sometimes it’s better to be subtler in how you disclose this information. The heading “Personal development” can be good to explain this time in your overview. Personal development covers all aspects of improving your lifestyle.

It’s important to identify any potential land mines in your resume and address them head-on. Don’t wait for the interview to explain these areas, as the interview may never come due to them. By being honest and upfront about any issues, you can show potential employers that you are a low-risk candidate who is committed to self-improvement and personal growth.