Pongo Resume

We received a blog comment recently from a woman who had left the workforce 18 years ago to raise her children. Now she's looking to return to work, and wondering, "What do I say on my resume, and where do I start?"

Since there are lots of people in this boat, I thought I'd answer this reader's question, and offer some tips for anyone who's looking to make the leap back into (paid) work after a long time away.

Our reader summarized her former work experience like this: 5 years as a secretary at one company; 8 years of general clerical experience at three previous employers (including 4 years in the U.S. Army); and part-time employment on and off in retail, because the hours were flexible. She's been brushing up on her word processing and office skills, is willing to learn or be trained in new requirements, and is seeking a regular office job.

How to Start the Resume

Making some educated assumptions about the skills one uses while raising children and running a household, and combining those with her actual work history, I might start the resume something like this:

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Administrative support professional with a total of 13 years' professional experience, including 4 years as a clerk in the U.S. Army
• Strong computer and office management skills
• Excellent time manager with extensive experience coordinating schedules, maintaining calendars, arranging transportation, and making travel arrangements
• Strengths include budgeting, managing accounts payable and receivable, maintaining supplies, and arranging repairs to equipment or facilities
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and commitment to customer service

From there, I'd follow a typical resume template, presenting experience, education, etc. If there is relevant volunteer experience, that should be included, too. (Note: Some career advisors recommend using a functional resume format if you've been out for a long time, but most recruiters don't like them, and aren't fooled by the lack of dates.)

How to Start the Cover Letter

While the Summary of Qualifications above is all true, it could be a bit misleading since it doesn't mention that the 13 years of experience is from a long time ago. That's where the cover letter comes in.

I would explain the situation in the cover letter, briefly, honestly, and in positive terms. Here's a sample cover letter opening:

Dear Ms. So&So,

With more than 13 years' professional clerical experience, I believe I have the right combination of skills, personality, and work ethic to be a very effective contributor in the Assistant Office Manager role. I would appreciate the chance to meet with you to discuss this opportunity.

For many years, I have been channeling my administrative support skills into raising, educating, transporting, and managing the busy schedules of three children, the youngest of whom just entered college. I am now looking forward to returning to an office setting where I can transfer my skillset back into the professional arena.

Conclude the cover letter with any other details that support your ability to meet the employer's needs.

Don't Limit Your Options

One other tip for returning workers is to not restrict yourself to the same field or industry you used to work in. For instance, our reader wants an office position. She should consider every type of business — huge corporation, small-town accounting office, downtown hotel, non-profit foundation, school, hospital, insurance company, dental practice, factory ... and the list goes on.

And don't forget about staffing agencies. ("Temp" work was my secret weapon for re-entering the workplace after 10 years at home.) They might even be able to help you sharpen your skills and get your feet wet with various types of short-term office jobs.

The days of straight and narrow career paths are long gone. Workers leave their jobs for lots of reasons, stay away for months, years, or decades, then get back in. Stay positive, stay flexible, and think creatively about where your skills can help a business succeed, and your transition should be (relatively) painless.

Any other hints or questions about returning to work after a long absence? Leave us a comment!

Thanks so much for the kind words. It's very gratifying to hear that our information is helping people. (That's the whole point, after all.)

Much luck in your job search!

~ Julie

Should I also explain the dilemma about my references? All the Companies that I did clerical work for (excluding the Army) are now out-of-business or should I wait until they inquire. I'm afraid of looking like I fabricated my work experience.

Also, I failed to mention that the past two years I have been self-employed part-time as an independent contractor for Professional Mystery Shopping Companies. It includes much scheduling, time management, narrative writings, data input, deadlines, and communication skills along with actually performing the mystery shop. I kept track of my payables, receivables, expenses, and SE taxes.

Would I lead off my work experience with the self-employment, since it is the most recent.

My biggest hurdle, I feel, is self-confidence and believing a potential employer would find my skills useful.

I would love to hear from others that have been successful at finding employment after such a long absence from the regular work force.

Thanks again for your help.

DMay

You're welcome! As for the references, I wouldn't even worry about that. If possible, ask your current contact from the mystery shopping if s/he will serve as a reference. It would be surprising if any of your former employers were still around after 18 years.

Yes, you should put the Mystery Shopping first in the experience section, and you can also put any volunteer work in if it was relevant to the kind of job you're going for.

If you click on my name in the author listing (left margin), you'll see a list of all my blog posts. There's one about references, one about volunteer work, and one about "the one thing you need to return to work" -- which as you already know, is self-confidence!

You seem like a very motivated and eager job candidate, and that's so very appealing to employers. Chin up! :)

-Julie

I've gleaned through yours and other blogs on this site and have found them very useful. I am a writer looking to expand upon my expertise. Without ever having realized it, I have been editing and writing all of my family's and friends' (and their friends') resumes (among other things). I do not have any formal training in editing and proofreading or resume writing. I have a Bachelor's in anthropology and just a love of writing. My explorations have found the CPRW test, at a hefty cost, along with the guide book you get with it. What else would you recommend to help study for and benefit a career in resume writing? As well, what about editing? I have tried getting in at my local newspaper, who is not hiring right now, but what could I give them as experience if I have no 'official' experience other than the work I have done for students and the like?

I know it is a lot to ask for such advice, but I need it. I have looked online for degrees and such and have found nothing. Going to school locally is not feasible as my husband is military and we are constantly moving. Any advice you can give would be tremendous.

Thank you, Jessi-Lyn

Any help is appreciated.

First, keep in mind that your medical history is private, and there is no need to disclose details about past medical conditions to a future employer. In fact, it would be unwise to do so. In your cover letter, allude to the break, but don't explain its nature (yet).

For instance, you could replace the 2nd paragraph in the example above with something like:

"After an X-year break from the workforce, I am pleased to be returning to the professional arena, and I am confident that my X and Y skills can contribute to your business success." Emphasize your past work experience, and don't forget volunteer work (unpaid work is just as valid as paid, if it is relevant to your desired position).

In an interview, they will probably ask about the gap. Practice a brief, factual statement such as:

"I had surgery in 2002 that required considerable rehabilitation time, so that was my focus for awhile, and then I took the opportunity to [travel? spend time with family? volunteer? pursue my passion for ___? ]. Now I'm very excited to get back to ____, and my skills seem to fit your needs nicely. What do you think is the most important quality to be successful in this position?"

The key here is to be brief and factual -- not emotional, not detailed -- and then to change the subject by asking a question at the end.

Don't give the exact nature of the surgery, or mention the subsequent depression, etc. That's none of their business! Maintaining your privacy is not the same as lying.

Good luck!

- Julie

But if you didn't have either, just be honest with your experience instead of what other job seekers extending employment dates just to cover the gaps.

I have volunteer information to enter, such as booster club officer. I held fundraising office for 1 year and treasurer for 2 years. Obviously this is my most recent "work" experience, other than running a 5 person household. My question is where do I put this information...before my actual work history or before? I am scared if it is put after that an employer won't get past - you haven't worked in 7 years - not interested!

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

You can put the volunteer jobs in your Experience section, just as if they were paid jobs. The presence or absence of a paycheck doesn't change the skills you acquired.

You can get some more ideas by looking in our blog archives for a post called: "You Can (and Should) Put Volunteer Work on a Resume."

Also? Don't sabotage yourself with confidence-crushing thoughts like "...you haven't worked in 7 years - not interested! " I've been there, and I know how easy it is to think that way, but you have to fight those thoughts. Most employers want someone who is enthusiastic and capable of learning. They can teach the right person how to do things, but they can't teach a positive, confident attitude.

Go get 'em! ~Julie

I havent worked in 12 yrs and have worked in facortys as assembly total 7 yrs and voluntereed in a nursing home 1 yr and also worked at a in home day care froe elderly 2 yrs and returning to work but wanting to do data entry as a receptionist thank you.

Since you're both looking to change fields, you should include an Objective on your resume. (Changing careers is one of the few times I recommend an Objective statement.) The idea is to confidently explain how you are qualified for the desired roles by explaining your transferable skills.

Here are a couple of samples, based on the little I know about you. Use these as guides, but edit them to make them your own. In addition, use a similar method to further explain your transferable skills in the cover letter:

Margaret: OBJECTIVE: To provide administrative support in a law firm that can benefit from my X years of direct experience as a legal secretary, as well as the ____ skills developed during a long career the restaurant industry. [Fill in the blank with skills that are beneficial to a law firm, such as organization, discretion, attention to detail, recordkeeping, scheduling, or whatever matches the jobs you're applying for.]

Sherrie: OBJECTIVE: To secure a challenging position as a receptionist and data entry clerk, applying the computer proficiency, customer service skills, attention to detail, and interpersonal talents acquired through 7 years of professional and volunteer roles in factory assembly work and caregiving roles with the elderly.

Hope that helps!

~Julie

Thanks for commenting, Connie. First of all, try to relax a bit and remember that we're all human. Hiring managers don't expect you to be perfect.

My advice would be to write things down so you don't forget them, and to be very open and honest. It's OK to tell your interviewer you're nervous, and might need to glance at your notes to refresh your memory on questions you want to ask, etc.

I also recommend that you read this Learning Center article titled "Step-by-Step Job Interview Preparation."

http://www.pongoresume.com/articles/49/job-interview-preparation.cfm

It will help build your confidence if you know you've taken all the necessary steps before, during, and after your interview.

Best of luck,

Julie

I have over 20yrs exp in cust serv, 10yrs in training/development and 12yrs exp as a project program analyst with a major telecommunications company. I also have 3 years experience as a copywriter in a variety of genres. I have chosen to switch careers altogether and want to go in the legal field, as a writer and/or use my cust serv and training/development exp. However, I have no legal experience, nor have taken legal courses. How can I use the experience I currently have and obtain a legal position? Should I put on the resume the objective and my summary of qualifications. What positions would I even qualify for in the legal field with the background I currently have?

@Dana

The fact that your jobs were with family doesn’t make them any less legitimate, and small businesses often give you broader experience than larger ones. When you find a job posting you want to apply to, take note of the key skills and qualifications they list in the ad, and tailor your resume to match those. You have the education and the skills and experience – it doesn’t matter if it was a relative or a stranger signing your paychecks.

@Vanessa

I think you need to do some research to find out what credentials are essential for a legal job, and then take steps to acquire them. One way to learn what you need to know is to contact a company that has openings for the kinds jobs you’re seeking, and ask for an “informational interview” to learn more about the field. Theres’ an article in our Learning Center about Informational Interviews: http://www.pongoresume.com/articleTopics/29/interviews.cfm

@Edward

You’re right that age discrimination is alive and well, but it is by no means universal. In fact , several job boards cater to older workers – Google the term “jobs for seniors” and you’ll find some options.

@Jim F.

Often, your best bet for finding work after a long absence is through friends. All it takes is one job to break the long string of unemployment. Even if it’s not your ideal long-term job, it could be a stepping stone.

@Sophia

I wrote a blog post about this very topic that I think will help you. It’s called Has Caring for a Loved One Left a Gap in Your Resume? Here’s the URL: http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/291/has-caring-for-a-loved-one-left-a-gap-in-your-resume-.cfm

@Alicia

I think you can probably earn interviews based on your resume, which should simply list your skills and experience in a traditional format, The key is to have solid answers prepared for your interviews, when employers will surely ask you about the gaps. Since you are in the health care field, you can be very matter of fact about your past illnesses, and your interviewers should be able to understand from the nature of your illnesses that they are no longer an issue. Here’s a blog post that should help: How to Explain Work History Gaps in the Interview -- http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/372/how-to-explain-work-history-gaps-in-the-interview.cfm

@Denice Thank you!!! What a nice comment to receive on a Monday morning. You made my day!

Since I've just started, I was smart enough to stop and came upon this web site. Within the last hour, I have gained so much knowledge and help, it's unbelievable.

I will be referring to your site daily and just wanted to thank you for actually being a source an individual can go to and actually depend on. Thanks again!

Patty

I am not sure how do I proceed to explaining my situation. I was going to leave the course, but then things changed and I am NOW* thinking of finishing it.

How bad would my resume look bcoz of 2 years- no work gap?

thanks already!

Mike

If I understand your question correctly, you're asking whether the 2 year gap in employment, during which you've been pursuing your master's degree, will look bad on your resume.

I think it will be fine, as long as prospective employers can clearly see that your time off was for education. In fact, if your master's is relevant to the types of jobs you'll be applying for, it should be a plus. A combination of work experience and advanced education in your field should be an attractive combination for employers.

In your Summary of Qualifications, you should describe yourself as a Master's-level X with Y years of professional experience [where X is your profession and Y is the number of years of related experience].

Good luck to you!

Julie

PLEASE HELP ME!!!

I am a single mother of a 7 year old boy who has been the focal point of my life since he was born. His father and myself were never married however we lived in a domestic household for 6 years and it ended back in June 2007. Prior to that I was an administrative assistant for various companies during the years we were together but after facing a devastating break up I fell into depression and quit my job. My sons father was the primary income provider and my income was not necessary so after the turn of events I then decided to make a change. I went to cosmetology school full time and went back to waitressing part time which led to bar-tending. After six months of cosmo school I decided it wasn't something I enjoyed so I dropped out and since bar-tending was going great I decided to continue on with that, until now. I recently filed for child support which led me into a custody battle and unfortunately I can't work in that field anymore so its back to corporate america and I don't have the faintest idea where to begin. I have my old resume but it doesn't show any administrative employment after 2006. I have worked since then as a bartender but administration jobs are already so hard to acquire so I'm sure that listing my bar-tending experience would not benefit me at all. Can you please tell me what advice you might have because if I don't find a job soon then I could loose the only thing I have left in this world?...

Sincerely,

Lea

Your advice is great for those with reasons for being unemployed for a long time, but what about for those looking? I have been putting my resume out for two years now, but with the exception of a handful of temp jobs and a couple of interviews, nothing has come up. I am starting to think I will never work again! Please help me! Thanks

1. Are you customizing your resume to match each job’s specific requirements, and not just sending a generic resume? 2. Is your resume an obituary for all you old job duties, instead of a marketing document that sells the value you can offer the employer’s business?

3. Are you including a well-written and personalized cover letter with each resume?

4. Are you 100% certain there are no typos or grammatical errors in the documents you’ve been sending? As for how to address the fact that you’ve been unemployed for quite awhile, first, don’t think you’re alone. The "average" job search lasts around 34 weeks these days. That’s average, which means it lasts longer than that for plenty of people.

Check out the post called “How to Explain Work History Gaps in the Interview” -- If you copy that title (or even just part of it) into the SEARCH box in the left margin of this blog, you’ll find the post, which gives you a three-step strategy for explaining your situation (whatever it may be).

You will work again, Tess. Of course you will! But for now, just make sure you’re doing everything you can to stand out from the crowd. Most people DON’T go the extra mile, so if you’re the one who does, you’ll boost your chances for sure!

Good luck!!!!!

--Julie

I have read through some of your posts and comments and find your advice encouraging and positive. I am responsible for developing a vocational program for women who are homeless. The stories I encounter are both surprising and saddening. Right now I am trying to help a woman who has two bachelor degrees (BS,Educational Ministry and BA, Education), completed in the late 80s. She recently left an abusive marriage of 20 years, and her confidence has been stripped away. She has held various jobs that don't account for her education (setting up displays for $5/job), but has also demonstrated leadership skills in a director position. She is currently using government resources to provide job training and re-entry, but I'm wondering if that is necessary. She's a bright woman who needs some confidence-boosters but who would like to work as a teacher's assistant or doing floral or food design. She has a resume, and I will borrow bits of your cover letter examples :). Do you have any suggestions about how she (we) might approach introducing her back to the work force?

Thanks much, LA

First, let me thank you for doing such wonderful work to help others.

Now, to answer your question, I can tell you what I have found to be true. The process of reinventing yourself after a major life change needs to start with baby steps. Success breeds confidence. But when your confidence is shot, you don’t believe you can be successful at big things, so you have to start with small things.

The woman you’re working with is probably not ready for a role that requires her extensive education and leadership skills, simply because she feels unworthy and incompetent right now.

So, she should try to find something that she will enjoy, be good at, and be successful easily. It might even be in a volunteer role, while she works at something else to keep food on the table.

As she gets re-involved in the world, the small successes will pile up, she’ll meet more people who give her positive feedback, she’ll begin to realize how much she has to offer. Right now, it sounds like it’s more important to find an opportunity with supportive and encouraging people than to try and take full advantage of her education and leadership skills. It might take three months or it might take a year or more, but she’ll get there.

I hope that helps.

Keep us posted!

Julie

Thanks so much! LA

Thank you so much for your referrals. That means a lot. And... that's why we're here!

Best of luck!!

Julie

I had a degree in Finance but then work in Competitive Intelligence Field for insurance companies (marketing research type job) for about 3 years, left to Paris for 9 years to own a French restaurant. Sold it to come back to take care of my elderly mom. Between those 9 years i had 2 contracting jobs in marketing research in US for only 1 month each.

My dream is to get a job in Human Resources Training or CIA job, but i have no experience other than being a Competitive Intelligence Professional for 3 years and restaurant owner for 9 years. Also being away from US for 9 years, i have no references.

I'm also desperate to get a job for financial reason. I would appreciate your advice very much. Alex

I had a degree in Finance but then work in Competitive Intelligence Field for insurance companies (marketing research type job) for about 3 years, left to Paris for 9 years to own a French restaurant. Sold it to come back to take care of my elderly mom. Between those 9 years i had 2 contracting jobs in marketing research in US for only 1 month each.

My dream is to get a job in Human Resources Training or CIA job, but i have no experience other than being a Competitive Intelligence Professional for 3 years and restaurant owner for 9 years. Also being away from US for 9 years, i have no references.

I'm also desperate to get a job for financial reason. I would appreciate your advice very much. Alex

Well, we have finally settled and I would like to work at a college, but my resume has not had any "hits." What should I say in my cover letter to get back into the environment I love?

Thanks for helping so many people...you are an earth angel.

We have a couple of really great blog posts that address creating a resume when you have been out of the workforce for extended amounts of time, as well as being over a certain age and trying to apply to jobs.

The first blog post, "Over 50? How to Make Your Resume Work for You," discusses the issues that you may be facing and suggests how to address them. There is also a great section that shows how to change the wording on your resume to better suit your needs. The link to this post is: http://www.pongoresume.com/articles/453/over-50-how-to-make-your-resume-work-for-you.cfm

The second post "3 Quick Tips to Seem Younger on Your Resume," has a couple of quirky little tips that a lot of people do not even think about, things that people at any age do not believe matter when writing a resume. The link to this post is: http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/332/3-quick-tips-to-seem-younger-on-your-resume.cfm

I hope that this helps you rejuvenate your resume and in your job search.

Being on Workers' Compensation will not hurt your chances of landing a job. In your particular situation, you could list your experience on your resume (with no mention of why you have a gap) and then write a cover letter explaining that you have been out of work for the past 4 years due to a debilitating injury but after many success surgeries, you are ready to get back into the workforce.

There is nothing about your injury or being on Workers' Compensation that would decrease your chances of obtaining a position with a company. As long as you are honest in your cover letter and in the interview, you will be successful in your search for a job.

Hope this information helps you in your job search!

I'm so relieved I found this site. I have not had steady employment in 11 years because of a disability and raising my children. Over those 11 years I did try my hand at self employment..both web design and a genealogy research service. I was also a youth leader at our church for a year or two. In 2009, I went back to school for my degree and will graduate with a B.S. in Information Systems at the end of June or July. I have not worked at all since starting school. I will use your examples provided here, but my question is should I try to get a job in a field other than IT just to get back in the job market? or should I shoot for an entry level IT position? I don't which way to go..just want to get back to work! I should mention, I did try a tech recruiter a year ago and the interviewers were very young and looked at me like I was crazy for even seeking employment with them. That crushed my confidence.

First off I want to congratulate you on your upcoming degree, as it is never easy to go back to school after some time off and commend you for it, good job! As for the dilemma you may be finding yourself in, I would strongly suggest you keep all options open. We are in a tough economic struggle now so jobs are scarce. Keep an open mind on both possibilities as the first job you get after your degree may not be your dream job but could provide as a stepping stone to something even greater in your future. Have one resume version for specific IT positions and then have another version to accomadate any other possibilities.

I am a Cpa and a Charetered Accountant in US. I haven't worked for about 7 yrs now and I want to get back in the industry.

I did have 3 yrs of internship and then worked for more than a year in family owned public accounting firm in a other country.

I am looking for some advice for my resume. How should I mention my previous experience and is it a good idea to let everyone know that it was a family owned firm.

Thank you.

Except for a 5 month stint with the Census Bureau I have been largely out of work since March 2009. I am 30 years old and since high school I have had only a few college classes, all inconsequential. I worked as a cashier for a while then did some office work then went into working for a hospital as a Unit Secretary mostly in Med.-Surg. and Critical Care but with experience in nearly every other unit this hospital offered. I worked there for 9 years and in the middle of of it also did a few months as a receptionist in a doctor's office. Since I have worked in these very specific areas most of my adult life, I have limited Microsoft Office knowledge because I have used job specific programs. Also I don't have much experience outside of the clerical realm however I am a great hands on learner. Once I learn something I run with it and will learn to excel with it. I am motivated yet currently am losing a lot of confidence.

How do I present myself clearly in my resume with maturity to jobs that will see that my experience, although good and full in its own right, is specific and limited? I am not even sure how to really present the work I have done at each of the jobs. How do I know what to include in the resume and what to leave out?

Additionally, I began a business with a friend last year but we have yet to really pull it off the ground. Do I even mention that?

I am scared of including the wrong things and excluding the right things in this new resume I desire to build. What I have done in the past has been been ill received (since I haven't had any interviews) and even to my own eyes and mind seems wrong somehow.

Please, if you can give any help or suggestions that would enhance the article above, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

Except for a 5 month stint with the Census Bureau I have been largely out of work since March 2009. I am 30 years old and since high school I have had only a few college classes, all inconsequential. I worked as a cashier for a while then did some office work then went into working for a hospital as a Unit Secretary mostly in Med.-Surg. and Critical Care but with experience in nearly every other unit this hospital offered. I worked there for 9 years and in the middle of of it also did a few months as a receptionist in a doctor's office. Since I have worked in these very specific areas most of my adult life, I have limited Microsoft Office knowledge because I have used job specific programs. Also I don't have much experience outside of the clerical realm however I am a great hands on learner. Once I learn something I run with it and will learn to excel with it. I am motivated yet currently am losing a lot of confidence.

How do I present myself clearly in my resume with maturity to jobs that will see that my experience, although good and full in its own right, is specific and limited? I am not even sure how to really present the work I have done at each of the jobs. How do I know what to include in the resume and what to leave out?

Additionally, I began a business with a friend last year but we have yet to really pull it off the ground. Do I even mention that?

I am scared of including the wrong things and excluding the right things in this new resume I desire to build. What I have done in the past has been been ill received (since I haven't had any interviews) and even to my own eyes and mind seems wrong somehow.

Please, if you can give any help or suggestions that would enhance the article above, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

Except for a 5 month stint with the Census Bureau I have been largely out of work since March 2009. I am 30 years old and since high school I have had only a few college classes, all inconsequential. I worked as a cashier for a while then did some office work then went into working for a hospital as a Unit Secretary mostly in Med.-Surg. and Critical Care but with experience in nearly every other unit this hospital offered. I worked there for 9 years and in the middle of of it also did a few months as a receptionist in a doctor's office. Since I have worked in these very specific areas most of my adult life, I have limited Microsoft Office knowledge because I have used job specific programs. Also I don't have much experience outside of the clerical realm however I am a great hands on learner. Once I learn something I run with it and will learn to excel with it. I am motivated yet currently am losing a lot of confidence.

How do I present myself clearly in my resume with maturity to jobs that will see that my experience, although good and full in its own right, is specific and limited? I am not even sure how to really present the work I have done at each of the jobs. How do I know what to include in the resume and what to leave out?

Additionally, I began a business with a friend last year but we have yet to really pull it off the ground. Do I even mention that?

I am scared of including the wrong things and excluding the right things in this new resume I desire to build. What I have done in the past has been been ill received (since I haven't had any interviews) and even to my own eyes and mind seems wrong somehow.

Please, if you can give any help or suggestions that would enhance the article above, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

I'm scared of not finding a job and being able to deal with my pain when they think I can handle working 40hrs a week. Thanks in advance

Obviously a gap of a couple years will draw some concern with a potential employer so it is important remove any doubt they may have. Keep your resume factual and insert those dates in which you worked. Where you will address these work gaps is within a cover letter. You don’t need to go into extreme medical detail about your situation however give them some insight into why you were out of work. You will also want to convey that although you missed some time that you are both able and eager to get back into the work force. Be honest and upfront with them and they will appreciate it!!! Best of luck to both of you with your job searches!

Typically on resumes you only list the last 10 years of employment however in your case, list that past job given it is relevant to what you are seeking. The key here is in your cover letter. Within your cover letter mention your past experience but also talk about your passion for the job and how you are in the process of getting the necessary training to refine those skills. Dont shy away from the experience just because it was awhile ago, instead use it to your advantage!

I am 30 years old, without any education qualification because I was not able to complete the various types of studies that my parents chose for me to take on (An Asian parent thing). In the period between my highschool til today, I have been to various countries and have many life experiences.

At this moment, I just want to get a decent job for example teaching mandarin since it is my mother tongue but I really do not know how to write my resume and explain all those years without any completed education or substantial job experience.

Please help, Chang

Without any formal education or job experiences you will need to find other ways to show your skill set. Skills can come from all forms of life experiences, list things such as community involvement or volunteer work you may have done. Perhaps enroll in an online class or at a local college to show you have started to take the steps necessary to refine this skill. In your situation don't be afraid to list any activity you may have done which shows to an employer you have the skill set necessary to do the job!

Could I get more specific as to how do I list in the resume those years of incomplete educations? Won't they look bad? I am unsure how to create a resume when I have several years of being in and out of education institutes.. but nothing to show for it. It will also be strange to skip all those years and just show a recent volunteer work or local college class when I am already 30? How about the gaps in between << do I explain this in a motivation letter then?

Feeling really lost, Chang...

(2002-2006)-Bachelor of Engn in Electronics

(2006-2007)-Diploma in V.L.S.I

(2007-2010)-looking for job in vlsi which is hard to come by,did another course in vlsi for which i do not have a certificate,helping engineering students with their projects,then did a course in datawarehousing,then did a GMAT prep course

(2010-2011)-postgraduate program in HR.class first in the HR program,managed events,student editor,came out with a much appreciated college ezine,handled PR for college event.

now looking for entry level position in the HR domain.This is my resume.

M.NAZIA FATHIMA #D140A, Hinducolony,Nanganallur,Chennai-61,Tamilnadu/Ph:+91 9600102156/email:naz.cdiem@gmail.com OBJECTIVE To secure a position as a valued member of your Human Resources department that leverages my achievements, skills, energy, and talent.

EDUCATION PGPM-HR with a First Class at Gemba School of HR, Chennai 2011

P.G Diploma in V.L.S.I with a First Class at U.T.L Technologies Ltd, Chennai 2007

B. E. (E.C.E) in with a First Class at S.I.T (affiliated to AnnaUniversity), Madurai 2006 EXPERIENCE Student Editor - Compiled and edited content for Gemba Perspectives, an E-Motivation series - Developed content for Gemba School of HR’s website Handled PR for college event Successfully led the Management Theatre Event Team Learning & Development Presentation – On Anger management Book review of HR Transformation by Dave Ulrich

PROJECTS Organization: Gemba Management Consulting Pvt.Ltd (May – September 2011) Supporting in course-ware design Content development and design of training proposals and brochures Was involved in the selection process and also documented the assessment reports

AFFILIATIONS Member - ISTD (Indian Society of Training & Development)

ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS Top-ranker in PGPM-HR program at Gemba School of HR Master Of Ceremonies-National Symposium (“FORSCHEN”) at S.I.T Participated and won prizes in elocution contests all through school and college Participant-Millennium International Rotary Youth Leadership Award

KSA MATRIX Knowledge-Microsoft windows family, MS-Office Skills-Publicspeaking, Contentdeveloping, Listening skill, Team player, Empathy, Leadership skill, Internet research and sourcing skill, Presentation skill Attitude-Amicable, Optimistic, Drive to complete a task, Good learning attitude

LANGUAGES Urdu, Hindi, Tamil and English

PERSONAL INTERESTS Travel, Music and Reading(Currently reading-Our iceberg is melting by John Kotter)

The 3 years in which you worked for yourself should absolutely be listed on your resume. You may choose to categorize it as "self-employed" or something along those lines. Describe some of the achievements and accomplishments performed during that time frame beneath it within your description.

Thanks

Thanks

Although you find the letter daunting, in fact it is actually going to be your best friend. The cover letter is where you get to explain yourself better. The focus of your cover letter should be more geared around your excitement and eagerness to get back in the workforce. Given you may not have the experience to fall back on you need to write about your passion for the position which can be an effective method of impressing employers. I would take the time to research the position and hospital involved, the more knowledge you relay to them the more they will consider you a serious candidate.

Its sounds as things are tough right now for you Heather. I get an opportunity to speak with a lot of people daily and trust me you are not alone. I can talk all day about how to write a great resume and cover letter however above all with a job search it starts with a positive attitude! You need to allow yourself to think level headed during these tough times to get the results you want. I know we all have our dream job but for the time being you may be better off expanding your horizons and looking for any kind of work you can find, at least some sort of a paycheck will relieve your mind temporarily and allow you to better search more clearly for that dream job! I would encourage you to contact our support team here for any advice regarding your job search (1-866-486-4660)

The "gap" you face nick needs to be addressed within your cover letter. Keep the resume factual and focus heavily on that past IT experience. The cover letter should briefly mention the time you took off to start your own business. Focus more on your excitement and passion to get back into the IT world and how your prior experience will help ease that transition. The 6 years experience you gained before does carry a lot of weight and don't be afraid to put it out there for the employer to see!

It sounds like focusing on your education is the way to go. In your particular case there is not much work experience so try and focus on the investment property venture along with the skills you are obtaining during your time pursuing a BA in Political Science. To help with filling the Gap in your resume you can mention in the cover letter that there was family hardship that you dealt with and have since recovered and moved on from. This will let them know why you were not ready to work for a period of time but now you are.

I was a Summa cum Laude scholar in college, and I took a triple major, earning the highest GPA in at least one of my areas of study. After graduation, I got a job as a teacher for 2.5 years, but then my mother came down with terminal cancer. About 3 weeks after she died, I went on a trip with the school. I drank on the trip (I wasn't the only one drinking, and the children were in bed, but I was the only one who got in trouble, and I would not sell anyone else out). My boss called me into an office and said that he would not recommend me to be rehired. I didn't know what to do, and I had no one to ask for advice, so I quit. Since then, I have been working in various jobs. My last job just ended, so I have been substitute teaching. I am applying to graduate school as we speak (but do not know if it will be worth the $ if I can't find a job at the end of it)...

I would like to be a teacher again, but I just don't know how to explain this to employers. I am a very dedicated and caring teacher, but I feel like this one mistake will haunt me all my life. It has been 3.5 years since I had my own classroom. How can I explain this to employers? Thank you so much for your help!

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/615/never-tell-the-interviewer-you-were-fired.cfm?CFID=11489279&CFTOKEN=cf4898499f433e65-0AC1F9AC-5056-8D39-929684D7FFB3FEC8&jsessionid=ec30f1fd7fe0b01704f05e146a5d567d6f70