Should your resume include details about your work history as a clothing sales clerk, part-time kitchen assistant, clown, or seasonal gift-giving Santa? The short answer is no. Here’s Tokyowork’s short guide to what to include or leave out when writing about your previous job titles. There are, however, three exceptions to the rule about including part-time or side jobs. For example, if you sold ice cream at the beach during your junior year’s summer break:
You are an ice cream connoisseur who wants to pursue a career in the wonderful world of frozen treats. In this case, mentioning your ice cream sales job would be a concrete and convincing proof that your passion for ice cream started at a very young age. This story can be inspiring and beneficial for you.
You are a fresh graduate, taking the first steps on your journey to find your first job. You want to prove that you are motivated to work as well as possess certain skills. No matter how short or simple the experience you mention is, it is still real-life experience that you actively seek before finding your dream destination.
The specific skills you develop in that role can transfer, complement, and support well to the new role you’re aiming for.
In most other cases, your part-time jobs can be omitted while still maintaining your integrity. A good rule of thumb is to only include the last three jobs in detail. Any previous jobs should be listed briefly with the company name, duration, and job title. – Soften the illusion of job-hopping: If you frequently change jobs, explain it on your resume! For example: “It was a short-term contract”, “I fulfilled my role and goals”, “I left the company to pursue a long-term travel experience through 8 European countries”… There are always very good reasons to explain why you held a role for a relatively short period of time, and it’s a good idea to make this clear. – Be mindful of gaps. If there’s a gap between two jobs on your resume, explain it! “I went on vacation to visit my parents who have settled down/my sister gave birth overseas”, “I took maternity leave”. If you’ve simply been looking for a job for two years, consider whether there are any contract jobs or volunteer projects you can highlight. But always be honest, as employers can verify the authenticity of the information you present. – Highlight relevant content. Be sure to highlight a previous role if it really fits the job you’re applying for. For example, a job posting may state that the candidate must be able to “manage budgets,” “raise funds,” or “meet quotas.” If you’ve had impressive results in previous roles, highlight them, such as two consecutive years of receiving an award for outstanding sales staff with sales exceeding 150% of quota, or the nickname “sponsorship saint” given by colleagues for specific achievements.[nêu dẫn chứng xác thực] …
– Emphasize skills. If you have acquired a variety of skills through a variety of jobs, write a skills-based resume.
Instead of letting your previous job title and company name be the main topic, find your most valuable skills and explain how they have developed from each job to the present. Tip: Don’t try to hide your work history, just go through them in a simple, concise manner. – Format your document carefully. Focus on what you want the employer or viewer to notice. You need to create a resume that is neat, attractive and professional at first glance. You can be a little creative to make yourself different and more attractive than your competitors, but remember to be sober so that it doesn’t “backfire”. Always draw attention to the positive things!
