What would you think if a job candidate sent you a resume listing six jobs held in the last four years?
Some of you would probably have an instinctively negative reaction: "This is someone who can't make up her mind or settle down — probably a flake. In 'my day' everyone knew that you couldn't change jobs more often than once every two years."
Or would you have a more sympathetic interpretation? Perhaps that this is evidence of a candidate who is willing to take risks and seek out new opportunities?
Resumes must be truthful — if you've had six jobs in four years, you need to say that. But, ideally, whether you've had one job or ten, your resume should also tell a story. The descriptions that you choose to highlight can make a significant difference between an impression of logical exploration and mindless chaos.
Imagine a resume that listed these positions, all held within a short period of time.
1-Bubba's Bar and Grill, a neighborhood restaurant. Waitress.
2-Primrose Advertising Agency, a small agency serving biotech start-ups. Researcher.
3-Rimrock Stables, a hunter-jumper facility with over 50 horses. Stable operator.
4-Flintstone Quarry, a firm selling granite and other home countertops and tiles. General manager.
What do you think? Is this someone you'd be eager to interview? What type of position would you image this individual would be qualified to fill?
Now, consider how you'd feel about the following version of the same person's experience. Would you view this candidate differently? Would you be more or less inclined to arrange an interview? Now what position do you think this person might fill?
Waitress and apprenticing manager at Bubba's Bar and Grill — While working as a waitress, developed an interest in restaurant management. Took advantage of the owner's willingness to teach the basics of purchasing and cash management. Handled responsibility for opening and closing the restaurant two days a week.
Manager of the market research team at Primrose Advertising Agency — Conducted business research and managed the activities of a six-person team of analysts. Developed strong team management and project management skills.
Operating manager of a customer-service-oriented facility at Rimrock Stables — Managed all day-to-day operations of the business; oversaw a staff of ten, supervised the quality of all services to insure the safety and satisfaction of clients (both horses and riders), negotiated with suppliers to obtain the lowest prices, and handled all financial records and bookkeeping.
General manager of a successful, independently-owned business at Flintstone Quarry — Managed all aspects of the $15 million business, from customer acquisition (building on my advertising experience) through customer-oriented delivery of high quality products and design services. Responsible for a staff of 25 and complex customer relationships that included designers, contractors, and home owners. Increased operating margin by 5 basis points while growing revenue 10 per cent year over year.
If it's not possible to tell a story with the job descriptions themselves, tell it in the cover letter. (Yes, you do need to provide a cover letter with all resumes.)
Make sure your resume tells a logical and compelling story of the moves you've made, what you've learned, and what you've accomplished. Help the next employer draw a line to your next dream job.
Source
http://blogs.hbr.org/erickson/2012/02/the_case_of_the_rolling_stone.html
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