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.
Do you have a question that you would like to have answered here in this forum? Send your question direct to Brian Krueger.
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.
