RESUMES ARE YOUR PERSONAL ADVERTISEMENTS--PART 3

It is a “small world”.  After 45 plus years in and around the recruiting industry, I have gotten to know a great many people and I have been asked all too many times, “Do I have to include all of my jobs on my resume even if I was only there for a few months?” or “How far back should I go with my resume?”. Basically, you do not have to include anything on your resume. What you include on your resume is up to you. 

However, the advice that I give is to ask the person if he or she wants to start a relationship with resume omissions or incorrect dates of employment.  I feel that a candidate must set the example and everything that is on a resume should be true and factual. 

Over the past few years, gaps in employment are commonplace and easily explained. Be prepared to explain the gap itself by pointing to an activity that filled it, such as volunteer work, caring for an ill family member, or launching a business. The best strategy when dealing with any potentially negative information is to focus on your accomplishments and the value you can bring to the table.

I can be reached at 973-627-1888 or lance@rpssearchgroup.com if you would like to discuss your current career path.

Resumes are personal advertisements. People need to know how to present themselves. Part 2 I cannot tell you the numbers of times that I have heard from a candidate who sent in a one page resume and upon questioning learned that anywhere from 5 to 15 years were left off the resume! We've all been told at one time or another to keep our resume to one page, but this old standard no longer holds true. If you have enough experience and accomplishments to highlight on two pages, go for it.  Of course, if you're new to the workforce, one page should suffice. Now that resumes are often entered into an applicant-tracking system, it's more important than ever to include keywords that help the system match you to the appropriate position.  You might need more space to do that.  This is even more essential for loss prevention professionals who have evolved into more technical or analytical roles.  If you are an experienced professional and you need the room to showcase your accomplishments, do not be afraid to go for the extra page or pages. As to the objective or summary sections at the beginning of the resume, there is a school of thought that suggests going right to your experience. I personally agree with that suggestion.  If you have strong skill sets and good accomplishments, they will come out loud and clear in the experience section. I can be reached at 973-627-1888 if you would like to discuss your current career path.

Resumes are your personal Advertisement

I decided to repeat the next 4 articles as things have not changed since I first published them 5 years ago

After thirty-one years as an executive recruiter, I have lost track of the number of resume formats that I have received. I have received resumes from candidates who paid hundreds of dollars to have a resume professionally prepared, and I have received resumes prepared by the candidate. The major similarity that I saw in all of those resumes is that the preparer did not list the accomplishments but did list duties and responsibilities.

Hiring managers and human resource professionals know what a loss prevention professional does in an LPM, DLPM, RLPM or higher level loss prevention role. That being the case, why would you want to dedicate so much space on the resume with job duties and responsibilities when it is the bottom line accomplishments that relate how well you have done your job.

I recently received a resume from a candidate and under each of his positions he listed 4 to 5 accomplishment bullet points. He did a great job relating how well he did in his various positions and when I called to discuss his credentials I asked why he prepared his resume with accomplishments. He told me that he felt it was important for people to know how well he did his job and not necessarily what he did. 

A big part of the loss prevention business is building relationships and I have to thank one of my clients for bringing the accomplishment resume issue to the forefront. In my next three newsletters I will be discussing other resume issues that will help you in preparing your advertisement.

I can be reached at 973-627-1888 if you would like to discuss your current career path.