CAREER CHANGERS

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. —Unknown

I applaud people making career changes. Career changers can find greater job satisfaction and a lifestyle more in tune with their current values. Career changers, however, have the most difficult and frustrating experiences with resumes. When they use the traditional approach of mailing out 100 or more resumes, career changers experience very little success. While having an effective resume is still necessary for career changers, the resume must be used in a way that takes advantage of the hidden job market.

If you are a career changer, the first thing you must do is determine the type of position you’ll be seeking. Then pick out every experience even remotely related to that line of work and insert it in some form into the resume. The qualifications section is often an excellent place to do this.

When you start describing your employment, you have two main goals: 1) show you were successful at what you did; and 2) emphasize any parts of your jobs which are related to your current objective. Your successes are important. Employers are dubious enough about hiring a career changer; they certainly want a person with a proven record of success. Essentially you’ll be saying through your resume, “I’ve been successful in the past, and I’ll be successful for you, also.” Emphasizing related experience in each job is important. In most cases you should provide an adequate and accurate overview of your entire job, but that can usually be covered in one or two sentences. The remaining space should cover those functions which are related to your objective. In other words, duties which took up only 10% of your time may get 90% of the space.

Career changers tend to have longer qualifications sections than those who have years of experience in the same field. Career changers sometimes do better with a functional resume. Read pages 128 to 137 for a full explanation and several examples. Rosalyn used a lengthy qualifications section very effectively. The points made in qualifications could not have been adequately made in the employment section. Notice how she emphasized everything she had ever done that was related to training and development in any way.

Paula does everything possible to show she is sales oriented and that her efforts have consistently increased revenue. Although she has never held a job labeled “Sales Representative,” it is very easy to picture her being successful in sales.

I also recommend that you join appropriate associations and volunteer to head up committees or special projects. Associations are usually begging for people to spend time on projects and you don’t need to have been a member for five years. It is an excellent way to get recognized and to meet the top people in your field. Those projects or committee assignments could then go in a special projects section.

Training and Development Times New Roman

ROSALYN RODRIQUEZ

2315 Dixie Avenue

Charleston, South Carolina 29406

(803) 976‑4204

OBJECTIVE: Position in Training and Development

QUALIFICATIONS

Broad background in planning and developing programs. Skilled in determining program needs through task analysis. Planned and organized numerous programs, including the Council for Exceptional Children 1998 State Conference.

Extensive knowledge and experience in determining needs, setting behavioral and learning objectives, and developing assessment tools. M.A. in Curriculum and Program Development.

Expertise in selecting appropriate teaching techniques to match the audience. Quickly establish rapport with groups.

Outstanding record in education. Received ratings of excellent to outstanding in all evaluations.

Evaluated and selected speakers and consultants for educational topics and conventions.

Extensive budgetary and purchasing experience with instructional materials.

Excellent writer. Wrote three successful grant proposals and published two articles on curriculum development for the Journal of Education.

Extensive knowledge of statistics and research methodologies for determining effectiveness of programs.

Strong abilities in performing and graphics arts. Directed, stage‑managed, and designed sets and costumes for numerous theatrical productions.

Designed and produced newsletters, manuals, and brochures using desktop publishing.

Extensive experience writing, producing, and editing video programs.

EDUCATION

M.A. ‑ Curriculum and Instruction, University of South Carolina (1985)

B.A. ‑ Art, Arkansas State Teachers College (1980)

EMPLOYMENT

Teacher, Charleston Public Schools, Charleston, South Carolina 9/87 to Present

Teacher, Greenville Public Schools, Greenville, South Carolina 9/80 to 9/87

ASSOCIATIONS

Member ‑ American Society for Training and Development

Member ‑ Council for Exceptional Children; State Bylaws Chairperson 1995 to Present; Chapter President 1995; Chapter Vice President 1994

Entry-level Sales Times

PAULA PROJASKA

1247 Morton Drive

Ottawa, Ontario K1Z1A6

(613) 743‑1726

JOB OBJECTIVE: Sales

QUALIFICATIONS

Proven ability to sell products and services. Quickly develop product knowledge and relate very well to people at all levels.

EDUCATION

B.A. ‑ Public Relations, Trent University (1989)

EMPLOYMENT

Four Winds Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario 1990-Present

Executive Assistant (1997-Present). Implemented numerous training and staff development programs which have raised guest service to the highest level found in Ottawa. Increased communication and cooperation between departments and implemented an effective cross training program. Since 1997 hotel revenue has increased an average of 14% per year. Work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and perform PR functions with other local businesses and organizations.

Food Services Coordinator (1992 to 1997). Introduced new food and room services which increased room revenue 11% per year and food/beverage revenue 12% per year. Supervised a staff of sixty.

Assistant Food Services Coordinator (1990-1992). Coordinated all food services including room service, coffee shop, dining room, lounge, and meeting rooms. Supervised a staff of 20. Designed a new training program which instilled more professionalism in the staff. Annual turnover was cut from 20% to 5%. As service improved, room revenue and food and beverage revenue each increased 40% in two years.