Sample "Before" and "After" Resumes

If you have a job without aggravations,
you don't have a job.
Malcolm Forbes

The price one pays for pursuing any profession
or calling is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side. James Baldwin

The approach Wally used in his resume used to be okay for someone just getting out of school: He stated a career objective, which was followed by his education and then a historical listing of his work experience. Today we live in an age of sound bites and resume overload. It would have taken the reader too long to figure out what level Wally was at, the important things he had done, and where he might fit in.

Wally's "after" resume has a summary, which makes it easy for the reader to figure out exactly what he does, and his level. In addition, the reader gets a feel for Wally's personality: "an innovator with people, processes, and equipment." Wally's old resume told us nothing about his work style.

Wally had one more problem: the large number of jobs he had held. On the "before" resume, the dates down the left certainly highlighted his job changes.

A number of those job changes were easily explained, but Wally didn't get the chance to explain them because prospective employers formed their own opinions. Wally was "rejected on paper." He had written something a prospective employer might object to. Do not allow your resume to defeat you. Handle those objections "on paper."

In this case, Wally inserted--in small type--the reasons he left a number of those jobs: the company moved, closed, or other explanations that do not reflect on Wally at all. The explanation is not included for every job--just enough to let the reader know that Wally would and could have stayed longer if the circumstances had been right.

With so many companies in trouble these days, a job hunter may change jobs through no fault of his or her own. It may be best to let the reader know those reasons--on paper. But don't overdo it and feel compelled to put in a reason for every job you've left.

Finally, the resume is scannable. It is now two pages long, but the reader is more likely to notice the things Wally thinks are important.

"Before" Resume (Click for a larger version)		"After" Resume (Click for a larger version)