You finally did it. You made the decision to leave a career that makes you dread every Monday morning and pursue one that you feel is your true calling. Congratulations! Making the decision was the hard part, right? Unfortunately, no. You've convinced yourself that this is the right move?how do you convince everyone else? It's time to work on your resume.
Resume writing for this situation can be challenging, to say the least. Why? Think about it for a moment ? how do you go from a retail manager to a purchasing agent in a corporate environment? Or from an accountant to a salesperson? Not all career changes are that drastic, but you get the picture. Once you look at it from this point of view though, it makes you wonder how in the world you'll get a job in a new field.
There are a number of things your resume has to portray to the reader:
? The skills that you learned and honed in your past jobs transfer to the one for which you are applying.
? Your strengths and accomplishments compliment the field and position (or type) of position you are seeking.
? You can do something other than what you are currently doing.
So how exactly do you do this? How do you convince a potential employer that you have what it takes to meet and exceed the expectations for the job ? no matter what previous jobs you've held in the past? One way is by writing a functional resume.
A functional resume is one that you don't see nearly as often as the tradition chronological and combination ones. That's because they are used when the situation for the job seeker is not ideal. Other instances may be returning to the workforce after a long period of time or job hopping. A functional resume is used when it wouldn't be as effective as if you had a solid work history, no gaps in employment and are looking for a job similar to the one you are currently in, if not a step-up.
Your resume may start out with an executive profile or summary of what you have done in the past and what you are looking to do in the future. This is the time to really "talk yourself up". You do not want to modest.
An example might be:
Accomplished and experienced professional with a 10-year proven record of developing accurate sales plans based on intensive analysis and communication with integral departments. Combines astute strategic and business skills with an impeccable work ethic and drive for success. Self-starter that is enthusiastic, forward-thinking and recognized as a peak performer. How do you begin to write the body of your resume? Take all your achievements, strengths, education and/or training and write them down. Which ones can you group together under one heading? Headings could include:
? Leadership
? Financial Management
? Account Management
? Goal Setting & Achievement
Of course, these headings are just examples to get your own wheels turning. They will differ depending on your own experience and achievements.
As you are compiling your lists, keep in mind that you are writing for you new career, not your present or past ones. Present this valuable information in a compelling manner that shows how you can be a benefit to a company in your desired career. Use strong adjectives, verbs and keywords to really get your point across.
Now that you have the difficult part done, the next steps are easy. Include your work history, education and any other special training and/or skills that you deem important at the end of your resume. Even though the focus is on the main body of your resume, the other information needs to be on there for reference sake.
And that's it! You're done writing your resume. Hard work ? yes, but well worth it when you consider what you are now able to tackle ? a new job, a new career?a new life!
Are you guilty of sabotaging your own job search along with the opportunity to earn more money? Don't underestimate the value of your resume. Take control of your career today.
Heather Eagar, owner of ResumeLines.com, provides unbiased reviews of resume writing services that can put you back in the driver's seat of your career.
==> Sign-up for your free Job Search E-Course
Over the years, I have identified two kinds of midlife... Read More
The Internet is the most powerful employment tool on earth.... Read More
Q & AQ: Are people sometimes cautious of 'headhunters'?A. Yes.... Read More
What's It All About? The field of patent law is... Read More
I was asked last week for an article about employment,... Read More
Anyone who is a jobseeker knows that looking for a... Read More
For those who are fluent in another language, foreign language... Read More
A "blog" is simply an internet (web) log. Blogs are... Read More
There was a time when accounting was the boring college... Read More
Ok, so you've determined that you have the right skills... Read More
In my career advising practice, I often find that my... Read More
These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The... Read More
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T / find out what it means to me" is... Read More
One-day you're minding your own business and your boss comes... Read More
Use these interview tips for job hunting success!It's a tough... Read More
You're still reading?so I know my title grabbed your attention.Why?... Read More
A recent poll conducted by Yahoo! Small Business showed that... Read More
In a day of background checks, pre-employment drug screening and... Read More
Chuck was the best of the twenty-four candidates. Still, he... Read More
There is a major difference between conventional resumes and executive... Read More
Last article I discussed why a telecommuter would benefit from... Read More
Dubai is home to an exciting, diverse, multi-cultural blend of... Read More
When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More
The following eight tips will help make sure that recover... Read More
Over 70% of single employees will become romantically involved with... Read More
There's no denying that a healthy work environment is a... Read More
Hank Bochenski's story proves it is never too late to... Read More
"They say my résumé should be only one page long.... Read More
The pre-hiring process can be a challenge. Much time and... Read More
About four years ago a friend told me one night... Read More
Targeting your portfolio, (resume and cover letter) can get you... Read More
A flair for the dramatic is a theatrical term used... Read More
One of the trickier questions an interviewer might put to... Read More
It has been over twenty five years since I started... Read More
Use Proposal Marketing and you'll be your own hot spot,... Read More
As a former human resources professional it has always intrigued... Read More
Have you ever heard of liquid air? The process of... Read More
Is your résumé getting lost in a flood of résumés?... Read More
Losing my job in the last recession of... Read More
It's your first month in a new position and it's... Read More
Have you ever wanted to become a computer consultant, but... Read More
With the economy heating up and employment prospects opening up... Read More
You are just about to leave university You are just... Read More
Can You Tell Good Service From Bad; Recognise Value For... Read More
If you've been in a job search for more than... Read More
The Question: After identifying a potential employer, I get contact... Read More
Powerful questions to get below the surface1. Ask for specific... Read More
Looking for work is an energy-devouring ordeal, often leading to... Read More
The job search secret that is so powerful it will... Read More
The number one etiquette tip for interviews is writing a... Read More
Here are some of the questions we have been asked... Read More
Dressing appropriately for job interviews is one of those areas... Read More
If you want a drink of water, do you hire... Read More
Working in ChinaWorking in China is very common now. Either... Read More
The day you begin to think of your job in... Read More
CIO Magazine ran an article entitled, "Ten Mistakes CIO's Too... Read More
Do you want to change your job but don't know... Read More
Your boss is the gatekeeper of your career. Unless you... Read More
HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #1NEVER USE THE WRONG PAPER!... Read More
Complacency damages your career more than lack of qualifications. The... Read More
When you're looking for work, some of your expenses will... Read More
Sometimes missing a critical meeting just can't be helped. Despite... Read More
May I clarify in this article what I believe to... Read More
After creating the perfect resume, you then need to distribute... Read More
The US Army Corp of Engineers and numerous private companies... Read More
Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |