Are you concerned that a hiring manager may notice the gap in your resume?
Maybe you worked steadily from 1993-2001 and then you were unemployed from 2001-2002.
Should you ignore it, explain it, or make up something? None of the above. Tell the truth and let it work in your favor. Here’s how:
Suppose you took care of a sick relative, spent a year getting your master’s degree or further training in your area of expertise, did extended volunteer work in your community, or took a year off to see the world?
List whatever it is on your resume. By bridging the work-gap you are showing another side of yourself–one that can inspire any hiring manager. You will appear to be a balanced person, one who has a sound work history and also someone who knows there’s more to life than work. By admitting the truth, you also display your integrity. The employer will not need to worry that you play games or hold secrets.
Here’s an example of how to build that bridge on your resume:
1993-2001 Assistant Director of Marketing, Ace Manufacturing, Boston, MA
2001-2002 Boston University, Earned an M.A. in Business
OR
1993-2001 Assistant Director of Marketing, Ace Manufacturing, Boston, MA
2001-2002 Volunteered with clean-up after 9/11 in New York City
OR
1993-2001 Assistant Director of Marketing, Ace Manufacturing
2001-2002 Took a year’s leave to care for aging parent.
When you are called for an interview and further questions arise about your employment history, you’ll be ready to talk to the hiring manager with ease. Your resume is clean, clear, and concise. You held back nothing. Therefore, you can relax and talk freely about what you can bring to the new position and how your skill and talent will add value to the company.
For example, based on what you did during the ‘gap,’ you might offer to coordinate a community effort to feed the homeless or sponsor a junior soccer team or plan an event for seniors. Such an outreach would bring positive attention to the company and put you in a favorable light, as well.
© Written By Jimmy Sweeney
Author of the brand new, Amazing Resume Creator
http://www.ideacopy.com/how-to-bridge-the-a69717.html
Considering that initially HR personnel only spend approximately 10-20 seconds on a resume, the shorter your resume, the most desirable it is. Aim for one page.
Of course, it is sometimes impossible to create such a short resume. You might have to include a second page because you have way too much information regarding your work experience, accomplishments, etc. In this case, make sure that you list the most relevant information within the upper half of the first page because that is the section that gets looked at first. This way, these important insights will surely be noticed.
It is not enough to run the word processor’s spell checker on your document. Proofread your resume at least 3 times, once backward (sometimes that is how you notice mistakes.)
Remember, a sloppy presentation is almost a guarantee that your resume will end up in the circular file even if you have all the qualifications in the world.
Many resume writers suggest starting a resume with an objective. I object to that (no pun intended). Objectives are useless because they are self-centered.
Here is a typical objective: “Challenging position in social services.”
My suggestion is that you start your resume with a power statement such as: “Experienced Social Worker with 10 years of proven client counseling and support background along with enthusiasm for working with children and their families.”
Whereas the objective tells the employer only what you want to do, the power statement goes further in highlighting not only the job you are seeking but also your major achievements. The power statement showcases what you can do for the company.
Begin your sentences with action verbs for added punch and to express a sense of accomplishment.
For a FREE list of action verb, please e-mail Rita Fisher at RitaFisher55@comcast.net with “Action Verb List” in the subject line.
Use specifics such as numbers, percentages, figures and facts.
Example: “Exceeded sales quotas by 50% for 4 consecutive years.”
Numbers stand out and communicate clearly and openly about not only the results you produced by also about what you can do for the company (can’t repeat that enough.)
What every employer wants to know when reading your resume is what’s in it for them.
Employers are looking for people who will solve their problems. You have to present your case accordingly. How? By answering these questions and including the answers in your resume: