You have years of work experience — many years, in fact. You've racked up plenty of accomplishments with several employers, and even won a few awards. But when you put all of that into a resume, you're left with a document that's well over the strongly suggested 1-to-2 page length.
Should you keep it all or cut some?
The answer (surprise!): Keep it all!
"Whuh?!?" you say. "What gives? I thought employers only wanted to see one- or two-page resumes! Even you guys at Pongo say so!"
That's right, we do. But you can keep that three- or four-page document as a master resume, so you have a record of every little and not-so-little skill or accomplishment that might look good to a prospective employer. You never send a master resume to an employer; rather, you use it as the starting point for creating the resumes you will send.
So, when you see a job posting you like, take your most relevant skills from your master resume and put them together for a 1- to 2-page resume that targets the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking for that job.
Here's a practical example. Let's say you're a Technology Specialist and accomplished the following in your most recent position:
- Migrated 100 desktop PCs from Windows 98 to Windows XP two weeks ahead of schedule.
- Devised and implemented a ticketing system to triage technology support requests, producing a 25% increase in end-user satisfaction.
- Researched user requirements and wrote 12 requests for proposal (RFPs) for hardware and software purchases.
- Managed 10-person technology support and development staff.
- Implemented and executed a rigorous software testing regimen to ensure compatibility with information architecture.
- Organized and delivered seven "best practices" presentations to other IT professionals within the corporation.
- Initiated division-wide Green IT program to reduce utility expenses and properly dispose of unneeded technology assets.
- Organized and led regular meetings with groups of end users to discuss technology issues.
You have eight bulleted items on your master resume. Now, let's say you find a posting for an IT Manager that emphasizes the following skills and qualifications:
- Solid and proven communication skills, especially with end users.
- Strong project management skills, specifically in software testing and implementation.
- Experience in Microsoft Windows environments.
Of those eight accomplishments in your master resume, which would you include in the resume for this position?
Here's what I would pick, in order of importance:
• Managed 10-person technology support and development staff.
Reason: They want a manager, first and foremost. This says "management experience" right at the top.
• Organized and led regular meetings with groups of end users to discuss technology issues.
Reason: This addresses the requirement for communications skills with end users.
• Migrated 100 desktop PCs from Windows 98 to Windows XP two weeks ahead of schedule.
Reason: This indicates both project management skills and experience in Windows environments. A twofer!
• Implemented and executed a rigorous software testing regimen to ensure compatibility with information architecture.
Reason: Project management, again.
• Initiated division-wide Green IT program to reduce utility expenses and properly dispose of unneeded technology assets.
Reason: This may be an extra, but if they want a manager, they want someone who can handle assets and save money. Having a social conscience can't hurt either.
The three I omitted also have some importance, but that's the stuff you can save for the interview. Once you've selected the points to include, go back and tweak your wording to match their terminology, so it's clear that your accomplishments fit their specific needs.
Do you use a master resume? How does it work for you? Let us know by posting a comment.
RELATED LINKS
Career Journaling for the Future
CV vs. Resume: What's the Difference?
5 Reasons to Share Your Resume with Your New Manager
Resumes only became customary after World War II, as a means for employers to eliminate unqualified candidates among scores of GIs looking for new jobs. Not much has changed. Nowadays, nearly every individual, starting a job search, begins by developing a resume, but decision makers only spend and average of ten seconds scanning them. A resume cannot do the heavy lifting in a job search. Its purpose is strictly to function, in conjunction with a follow-up call, as a marketing tool to initiate a conversation with the decision maker. Your goal should be to present your background and accomplishments in a visually appealing, reverse chronological order, with dates, succinctly and honestly.
Gosh, Rick I feel as though you are speaking directly to me. I just finished my "Master Resume", I guess that's what I"ll call it now, after realizing that its way to long...3 pages to be exact. Thanks for the heads up!! Keep it comin' brother, cause this old dog needs to learn new tricks!
Don't hesitate to have a nicely formatted master document of accomplishments with you when you interview and leave it behind with the interviewer. Notice I said accomplishments, not a history of your work life.
@ C - Thanks! Always nice to know when I hit the bulls-eye.
@ Samantha - Agree 110%! Job seekers tend to focus on the raw duties of their past and current work and not on the *differences* they have made. Sometimes, though, some accomplishments can be hard to remember, which is why keeping a career "journal" can be a help. Thanks for dropping by!