Does Your Resume Show Career Progression?
By Anish Majumdar, Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)
Did you know that one of the main reasons jobseekers land interviews isn’t because how good of a match their skills are with a particular position or what type of degree they obtained but because their career to-date shows clear progression? It’s true. A professional in motion, either progressing up a particular track or making a horizontal career shift, is infinitely more appealing than someone with a random hodgepodge of jobs under their belt. The clearer you are about where you’re going, the easier it will be for recruiters and hiring managers to help get you there.
During my career as a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), I’ve developed a few strategies that will enable anyone to structure their resume in a way that highlights career progression:
1. Differentiate Multiple Positions Held At The Same Company
If you’ve been with a particular company or organization for several years, chances are you’ve changed job titles several times. Avoid the temptation to only list your most recent title. Separating out the different jobs you’d held and providing some responsibilities and accomplishments for each makes a much stronger impact and shows that you’re a professional on the rise.
2. Use The Reverse Chronological Format
Be sure to organize your work history in Reverse Chronological format, which means from most recent position to least, clearly identifying the company, dates worked, and job title for each. Nothing muddies the waters faster than using a resume that’s organized in Functional format, which typically consists of a large “Career Accomplishments” section followed by an abbreviated “Employment” section, because it prevents an at-a-glance sense of your career progression.
3. Include A 1-Line Description of Every Company You’ve Worked For
There’s no faster way to lend context to what you did at a particular job than a quick 1-line description of the company. Keep it simple: what industry it’s in, what products and/or services it specializes in, etc. This is particularly effective if you’ve been working for progressively larger or higher profile businesses.
4. Communicate Moments When You’ve Gone “Above and Beyond”
Describing special projects or tasks that you’ve taken on can really make an impact with employers. It’s a clear sign of initiative and a desire to play a leadership role- two qualities which are in-demand for practically every job in existence.
About the Author
Anish Majumdar, CPRW is a Career Expert and Owner at www.ResumeOrbit.com. 98% of clients report and increase in interviews within 30 days, and all work comes backed by a 110% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee. Submit your resume for a free critique today!
Check out the latest Career Insider eNewsletter - June 14, 2012.
