Resume Advice

[hinakiba777]

The worst thing people told me to do is to have a gap in your history. It can raise red flags that can lead you left in the no pile..I hope this helps

Considering I spent most of the time i was in university not working, I have huge gaps. But I guess now I know why no one is calling.

[wolfie]

Considering I spent most of the time i was in university not working, I have huge gaps. But I guess now I know why no one is calling.

But that's not a gap - you were in university full-time studying. A gap would be a time period with no job AND no other occupation (education, maternity leave, in hospital recovering from a serious car accident, etc.)

[hinakiba777]

But that's not a gap - you were in university full-time studying. A gap would be a time period with no job AND no other occupation (education, maternity leave, in hospital recovering from a serious car accident, etc.)

OH relief ^_^ Except now I don't know why no one is calling. Maybe my cell number looks too fake... Oh well i'm sure someone will call. (Cell Number looks likes this: I-THY-YTY-TTYT)

[wolfie]

If the time you spent as a full-time student is listed on your resume under "education", then it's clear that it's not a gap. If you don't have it listed, then it will appear as a gap even though you had a valid reason to not show a job for that period.

A true "gap" is suspicious - "Why isn't this person showing what they did for this time period?" It might be a job that they want to leave out (wrong fit/fired in short order), or it might be a period of unemployment. Sucks that being unemployed can keep you from getting a job.

[HawaiianShirts]

I have two resumes. One is one page and lists the highlights. One is eight pages (so it's more of a Curriculum Vitae, I guess) and lists all the details, including past work experience, volunteer experience, special skills, and even a collection of work-related compliments I received over the years from colleagues, customers, and superiors. If the employer wants the short version, they get the one-pager with note that says more details are available upon request. If the employer wants more, I've got it ready.

I also always throw something at least marginally memorable into my cover letters. For my two most recent job searches, I ended the cover letter with, "Don't miss this great opportunity to hire such a dedicated and enthusiastic employee! Hurry, supplies are limited!" Both times, multiple interviewers said that was a memorable line, and I think that helped.

For the hotel, I would put a notation that it was seasonal summer work somewhere in there. Depending on your formatting, you could put something like "Summers Only 2009-2011" (or whatever dates), or make a note where you go into more detail about your work experience that you worked summers only.

This.

I also spent a summer working in a hotel. On my resume, for "Reason for Leaving," I noted: "Seasonal Contract Fulfilled." Seemed to work just fine for me.