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I've seen it yet again - a functional resume that goes to great lengths to "hide" work chronology and the current job title of the applicant.
Of course, this resume isn't producing any interviews, and the job hunter is desperately seeking a critique to identify the problem!
Employers in today's market are savvy, seasoned, and perhaps even a bit weary. They've probably seen it all by now, including resumes that don't give up credible, easy-to-find information in a way that makes sense.
So, give them what they crave!
Your resume will make an ethical, professional case for you, but only if you "come clean." By this, I mean showing your full work history with dates and descriptions of what you did.
Now, if you have past experience that qualifies you for a new job, but you don't want the employer to miss it, add a Career Achievements section on the first page that shows this information. However, DON'T peel your work chronology off in order to do this!
Work history is an important part of your background. Even if your experience seems unrelated, I'll bet that by digging deep, you'll be able to make a connection to the skills needed for the job you are targeting RIGHT NOW.
If you can't figure out how to do this, look at some of my past columns about resume writing techniques, or look at my work to see real-life examples of how to use an Achievements section on your resume.
Comments
what if past employers weren't very positive people to work for? won't they try to interfere with new employment prospects if contacted?
KB,
I understand your concern, as there are many horror stories out there about the effect a former employer can have on your job hunt during a reference check.
However, you're still much better off making it INTO the interview to explain your contributions (and demonstrate why you're the best candidate) than trying to hide work history, as that functional resume will be tossed more often than read.
For what it's worth, most employers are aware that they can be subject to a lawsuit for negative comments about past employees, and therefore avoid this practice. Notice that I said MOST, not ALL.
If you believe that a former employer might be hindering your ability to find a new job, you can consult with reference checking company Allison & Taylor at www.myreferences.com to get the full story of what is being said about you--and then decide to take action if needed.
Happy hunting!
Laura
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