How to Write a Resume when you have Limited Experience
In the current economy, many people who have not worked in quite some time are now considering entering the job market. In particular, many women who have spent a decade or more at home rearing children now find themselves looking work, if only part-time, to stretch the family's resources. The problem is that many of these women feel they bring little or nothing to the table. If they have a college degree and/or work history, they may feel that the gap of a decade or more negates the credibility of this experience.
The truth is that life experiences have incredible value in the work world. The woman who juggles caring for children with running a household and managing a number of day-to-day activities possesses skills in many areas. These include: time management, budgeting, meal planning, housekeeping, child care, organization (if she has been involved in activities such as serving as a room mother for her child's class or organized a "Mother's Day Out" group). IF this woman also possesses an engaging personality and a dynamic, can-do attitude, she can parlay her life skills into even more via the personal interview.
By the same token, the middle-aged man who has worked his way up the ladder at a financial institution may feel he has all of his "eggs in one basket." Creatively weaving his various responsibilities into the resume and showcasing his skills in a variety of areas can indicate flexibility and the ability to learn quickly.
When my husband and I decided to hire an office manager, we placed a simple classified ad in our local newspaper. We asked for a resume and cover letter, and over 90 people applied the first week. What could have become an overwhelming task was made easier in part by the fact that so many of the resumes were "cookie cutter," and quite frankly, boring. They met all of the textbook criteria... stated objective, work history, educational background, references, and contact information. The cover letter of introduction was equally dry and boring and basically just said, "take a look at my resume."
What stood out was a handful of well-presented letters and resumes in which the applicant showcased his/her skills and abilities creatively. These applicants indicated how they would use their life experiences to enhance their formal education and training. One woman in particular had a warm and engaging tone in her cover letter, and since her work experience was primarily in helping to run a family business, she described her responsibilities there and how they would suit the job we were advertising.
In today's market, all bets seem to be off. There are so many people applying for so few jobs, and resumes must stand out in the pack. I suggest that those who feel they lack sufficient experience take a somewhat unconventional tack. Create a professional objective... but be specific. If you are applying for a job as an office manager in a busy medical office, your objective might be "to incorporate my organizational skills and experience in managing a household of five with my training and education in office management, so that I can efficiently and personally execute the daily responsibilities of a busy medical office."
List your work history AND your college degrees (although you might want to skip listing every community college you attended along the way!). But add another brief list of your life skills...
- mother of 3 children, ages 9, 6, and 4 - can multi-task and manage hectic schedules and demands * served as treasurer of the Smith Elementary School Harvest Festival for three years - able to budget and handle accounting * volunteered in school office one day per week - great phone and interpersonal skills * organized a softball league for employees of all banks in our community - have skills in scheduling, communications, and public relations * served as an in-office liaison between co-workers and website developers to ensure that all of our real estate listings were accurate and updated in a timely fashion - have interpersonal skills and some knowledge of html and website development * served as a Big Brother - have strong work ethic and sense of community responsibility
The point is to put enough in your resume to attract an employer's attention, so that you can garner an interview and truly sell yourself. Be creative without being wacky. Keep it simple, and try to keep it to one page. But make sure YOU shine through, and that your resume is attractive enough to get a second look from employers. Limited experience shouldn't matter if you have the RIGHT experience... and often this is just a matter of knowing how to promote what you've got!
