Resume tips/advice/questions/answers!

[Octoberist]

Hi

I just wanted to get some input with my resume. I also felt that by creating its own thread, whatever inquiries here can be useful to anyone out there looking for a new job.

So I was laid off in 2008 from a failed 'social networking website' company. My position at the time was the 'head' writer (I was the only writer) for original programing. As a film major, I thought it was nice while it lasted, which was a year and a half.

For the past 5 years, when I was still in school then onto the job, I was working PART-TIME in retail. Thank God for that. Since then I've been helping out my family with the house (in which we're losing in a short-sale.) so I've been concentrating on that mostly. I wasn't getting any interviews, so I almost gave up. And now with the house sold, I finally getting back into the job hunting game again.

QUESTION:

1. How do I update a resume if I haven't done anything significant in the past 3 years? Keep in mind, the resume would be going out to specific field of work (in this case, media or even just an office job). Do I include the retail gig? Would they care?

2. What about stretching the truth? Instead of putting down 5 years down for the retail job, I can put down 2 years, post-'social networking job'. That, and I can put some white lies, like..I was a trainer for new associates. Stuff like that.

I'm just afraid if I put down 5 years, in the interview they'll ask me why I never advanced or moved onto another position.

I think white lies can't hurt since the hardest part IS getting an interview in the first place.

Thanks

 

[Octoberist]

NOTE: At this point, I'm just over retail and again, I'm thinking about the future. Also, I'm looking for any job. It could relate to film, media, office work, creative, whatever.

 

[Spider-Who?]

First off: NEVER LIE ABOUT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FACT CHECKED.

Cater your resume to the type of job you're applying for. Yes, its good to have your complete employment history, but focus the details on your experience that is applicable to the job you're applying for. If you're applying to a job at Outback, they're not going to care if you spent your summer cleaning a emu farm.

If you're looking for a media job, don't expect to them to even look at your resume if you don't have schooling and/or examples of your abilities.

If you put down 2 years when you really worked there 5, its going to look worse then them wondering why you didn't get promoted. Showing that you worked there for 5 years despite no promotions shows that you are disciplined and committed. Besides, its a friggun retail job; I doubt they'll ask, and even if they do they'll understand that its a retail job and there aren't a whole lot of rungs on that ladder that you can climb.

 

[Octoberist]

Thank you for your input.

That's the tough thing. I've gotten so many different answers.

Some say include the retail, so show that I HAVE been working. Others say not to include the retail and just keep the resume as is (just include the internships and that 'social networking' job from 2008). But I told them that there's a 3 year gap right there.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

The first line of your resume should say "I'm the best there is at what I do."

 

[Harls]

The first line of your resume should say "I'm the best there is at what I do."

But in all seriousness, I wouldn't lie at all. Sure, it might make you look a tiny bit better in the short run, but these things can and will be found out and will make you look untrustworthy and unintelligent. Just be honest and try and present yourself as best as you can.

 

[Ahura Mazda]

Being someone who has hired people in the past for high level jobs, I would say you should put all your experiences in including your retail. But also indicate everything you have been doing on the side in order to get where you want, which is working for the compay you are applying for. Most important write a good motivation letter.

 

[Morg]

http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/112168/myths-about-resumes

 

[Octoberist]

Being someone who has hired people in the past for high level jobs, I would say you should put all your experiences in including your retail. But also indicate everything you have been doing on the side in order to get where you want, which is working for the compay you are applying for. Most important write a good motivation letter.

Thanks for the advice. Cover letter is probably the key thing here.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

If you get an interview, don't wear red. It's a sign of dominance and being power-hungry.

 

[Octoberist]

Haha. Thanks.

Another question: The whole retail thing.

When you're in a creative field (film,graphic design, etc), by putting it on there, does it hurt my chances of getting an interview?

 

[Aesop Rocks]

If you're gonna say "I can sing really well" when you're applying for a job at say....Wal*Mart, I doubt that matters.

 

[Hound55]

The first line of your resume should say "I'm the best there is at what I do."

That depends on how nice "what you do" is...

 

[Watson]

Haha. Thanks.

Another question: The whole retail thing.

When you're in a creative field (film,graphic design, etc), by putting it on there, does it hurt my chances of getting an interview?

For what its worth, when I was interviewing at law firms I was told to keep my bar-tending experience on my resume because it demonstrates to employers that a) you've worked in the "real" world and b) that you can be dedicated to a job.

It also depends how you spin it in the interview. You could always be forthcoming and tell the employer that your family was going through some difficult times (don't have to go into detail on it) and that because of that you choose to work in retail and assist them as much as you could, and now that the situation is better you've decided to pursue your "career". Employers generally like someone who can explain why something was a learning experience or show that you're growing.