Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager

QUESTION:

Hello Mr. Krueger,

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to ask a question that cannot be answered. My question is regarding my experience information on my résumé.

One of my professors started me into an internship project to gain experience, which led to other jobs for low pay, yet I don't know how to enter this on my résumé. For three years I have continued to perform jobs that were paid and unpaid to gain experience and knowledge. These jobs however were not with a specific company through the whole time or with the aid of this same professor. My professor just started the ball rolling and from this I continued to find different odd jobs to perform that relate to my area of study. These different jobs were in the area of programming or web design.

This experience I feel should be valuable for any position, which I am applying; how can I cite this on my résumé without sounding like it was made up or something? Right now my résumé states that this experience is from various contracts I obtained where I was self-employed.

To me this area of résumé sounds too vague and really needs some assistance. I am convinced that with the proper help I can land that job instead of being turned away because of a poorly structured résumé.

Please assist me in finding a solution to this problem. Thank you for taking the time to read this message and also for helping me with this situation.

From: Tina M. P., Senior, University of South Carolina


ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:

Hi Tina -

Just treat your experience as if you were a consultant with multiple assignments/projects at multiple clients. Use a general heading for the type of work and the time frame, then devote at least one bullet in summary for each job you have held.

It will give the impression of a broad background with multiple responsibilities and multiple clients. Just as with a consultant, this is a strength in breadth of background, not a weakness.

Present it in that fashion and it will play as a strength, as it should be.

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All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.