Comments on: How to Handle Annoying Red Flags in Your Resume

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:15:06 +0000

Great question Jamillah! You’re smart to realize this could be a problem. In fact, I just mentioned it in my latest post:

7 Resume Landmines That Can Blow Up AFTER an Interview

While I don’t want to make it seem too simple, what would help a lot is to really look at the job you’re applying for and identify key skills. Then look though your prior experience, and identify related (transferable) skills from those jobs whether they’re on your current resume or not – if you think about it, they’re there. You need to make sure you highlight those when you talk about prior jobs on the resume – quantifying any accomplishments where possible.

If there is a huge disconnect, make the first section of your resume (after name, etc. of course) a list of key skills &/or accomplishments that quickly show them your strengths and that your prior experience does transfer nicely. Depending on the job, you might have to be pretty creative, but at least you can help re-focus how you present things to give yourself the best chance. And don’t forget to include a great cover letter with bullets that show skills that apply to the new job!

Also…if you don’t need to show all your prior experience. the last 10-15 years or so would be more than enough if that helps your case. You can either leave the rest off or add a small section toward the end that just summarizes.

Hope that helps. Good luck, Jamillah!

- Ronnie Ann

By: Jamillah

Jamillah — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:59:58 +0000

I enjoyed reading this article. I was wondering what one should do to handle having a resume with too many years of unrelated work experience. I feel this is a red flag that doesn’t get me selected for an interview, even though I may have the right number of years of relavant experience that the positions ask for. Any advice would be helpful.

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:11:19 +0000

I love when great discussions happen without me. Hmmm…think I’ll go away more often.

Discussions like this are not only welcome, they add a great deal to the blog since there’s no way any one person – yes, even me – can know it all. Keep ‘em coming, please!

And of course, we all wish you good luck Kathy. I can’t wait to get your article telling us all about how you made a new job happen for yourself. (I’m sure you can’t wait either.)

Ronnie Ann

By: Mardy

Mardy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:52:12 +0000

Hi Kathy,

Bravo– Well done, partner

Wish you all the best.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:20:56 +0000

Hi Mardy -

Thanks for the comment – I am volunteering with the Taproot Foundation as a pro bono marketing project manager to assist with a non-profit’s branding strategy. I didn’t have NPO experience before so I thought this would really compliment my other experience.

I’m still plugging away to make my career transition happen!

By: Mardy

Mardy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:14:17 +0000

I like the idea to fill the transition with volunteer service. Kathy should take one step further. She should volunteer for a leadership role. Why? Leaders stand out. So, she should consider adding “unique” skills to her resume– expected skills are a dime a dozen. “Unique” skills are leadership achievements. Leadership is your “Unique Selling Proposition”. The best places to work are looking for “partners”. Partners are leaders. During rough times, companies will not let go of their partners. Mediocre companies on the other hand, hire employees and lay-off employees.

People must choose to get off this vicious cycle of working for average companies. Why not aim high– seek only the best places to work. Most major cities have their “Top 100 Places to Work 2009” list. Companies voted best by their people would treat you like a partner not like an employee and keep you around. Partner with the best places to work.

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:12:32 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Polina! I’m so glad you emphasized this point. Although of course there are still old-line thinkers out there, the majority of hiring folks nowadays know what’s really going on. Still, it’s up to the candidate to think ahead and help make it as easy for the interviewer to understand – and explain to other folks who are also part of the hiring process.

Thanks again for making such an important – and comforting – point!

By: Polina

Polina — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:01:06 +0000

I think it’s also important to keep in mind that right now, you’re not the only one who has resume gaps and has been laid off. Like Ronnie Ann said, it might not be as big of a red flag as you may think and with an otherwise positive list of work experience, you are not likely to get overlooked due to this.

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:00:13 +0000

Thank you Caroline! And may I say you have an interesting blog. With that tongue-in-cheek name, how could I not check it out?

By: Caroline Bender

Caroline Bender — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:48:15 +0000

Thanks for this discussion. We at the Business Women’s Finishing School & Social Club are including this article in our Friday round-up of career commentary around the web. It is a nice complement to our series on layoff rebound, which some of our contributors are experiencing. We hope you will stop by and explore our site, and let us know what you think. We are glad for the feedback