Resume question

[Klutch]

I am in the process of updating my resume and I have one major question. Should I enter my entire work history? I have had 2 jobs at the same time a few times during my work history, one was always full time 40+ hours a week and the other part time, around 20 hours a week. The part time jobs really never lasted long as they were only temporary. Will employers look upon as this as me not being able to keep a job, or someone that just really likes to work and wants a job?

[Cranjis McBasketball]

I believe it's recommended you list your last 5 employers.

They want a resume, not an autobiography.

[Alex Shelley]

These days most employers don't look down on people for having had multiple jobs in the past, so don't stress it. List your last four or five. What would be even better is to have different resumes for different types of positions you're applying for, that list jobs that would give you experience in the areas that you're trying to get a job in. It is okay to skip over one or two jobs.

Was there a reason the jobs were temporary? Were they seasonal jobs, work for the summer between college semesters? If so, note that down.

[Red Impact]

^Yes, don't just list them, list what you did during them. Lists of jobs don't really say anything, try to tell them what you gained from them, if you can.

[Stu]

Depends on what jobs they were and what you're now applying for. It would help to focus more on past jobs that are relevant to the new one.

[Klutch]

Aug 30, 2010 17:58:02 GMT -5 Alex Shelley said:

These days most employers don't look down on people for having had multiple jobs in the past, so don't stress it. List your last four or five. What would be even better is to have different resumes for different types of positions you're applying for, that list jobs that would give you experience in the areas that you're trying to get a job in. It is okay to skip over one or two jobs.

Was there a reason the jobs were temporary? Were they seasonal jobs, work for the summer between college semesters? If so, note that down.

No real reason for leaving the part time jobs, I guess more or less I was trying to make some extra money. In one case, it was a seasonal job, and they were no longer able to work around my full time schedule and got to the point where they only needed me there one day a week.

I am just trying to I guess "flesh out" or "pad" my resume. I am 27 years old and have been working since I was of legal age to be able to do so and have only had 4 real full time jobs, and 1 part time job (lasted 5 years). Also I have never been without work or a job since I have started working back in 1999.

[AFN: Judge Shred]

The most recent and the most relevant to the job you are applying for. A lot of places want a one page resume now. They want to cut through the BS. With how many applicants each opening gets, it is a pain to sift through them all.

[Alex Shelley]

Yeah, I figured this was common knowledge but just to repeat: your resume should NEVER extend past one page.

[Ali Du Jour]

Yes!!! to one page resumes! I worked for a recruiter, saw lots of resumes, and anything longer than one page (unless you were on par with a high level executive) took too long to read and probably contained a lot of unnecessary information.

Also, don't include a picture. I can't tell you how many people treated it like a casting call with something like a Glamour Shot from the mall.

It depends what kind of position you're applying for, but in this environment, it's not as important to show a gap-less job history. So don't worry as much "padding" it out that way. It's definitely more important to show recent relevant experience. The bullet points should show your responsibilities or accomplishments at the previous jobs that will theoretically be applicable to the job you're applying to.

You can also have a skill/experience section that lists special computer programs or relevant skills like fluency in another language.

Regular volunteer work can also be a small section, if it's related to your field or if you want to show commitment that maybe the part-time jobs do not.