Listing Every Job on Résumés
Dear Deb,
Q: I just met with a recruiter. He represents some of the biggest healthcare companies on the East Coast and he’s been in the business for 15+ years, so I think he knows what he’s doing. He told me that I must list every job on my resume, include months and years, and that most of his director-level clients have 3-4 page resumes. This contradicts what my writer has advised. Both seem to be highly qualified. Who’s right? Mark J., Boston, MA
Dear Mark:
First, you must find out for whom your recruiter works. Is he paid by the employer to find candidates? Or, are you paying him (known as a retained recruiter)? Most likely, the employer pays him on a contingency basis. Therefore, his agenda is to find the best candidates for his client companies. His job is not to present you in the best light. So, is this the person to give you advice on how to market yourself in the job market? Will he find ways to showcase your accomplishments so you stand out from the other 200 candidates in his database vying for that same opening? No, no, and no!
Therefore, trust the writing professional with experience marketing candidates like you. Find a certified writer with strong credentials and a strong history of writing résumés for clients in your occupation and industry.
On a side note, I am not suggesting you hire a retained recruiter. In most cases, you can save that money and have better success networking.
If you have a question for Deb, please email debra@careersdonewrite.com. The Ask Deb column appears every Friday on our blog at the Careers Done Write website.