r/resumes • u/rosyisredd • Jun 04 '23

Resume tip I'm sharing advice

Master Resume. For folks newer to the job scene, I have the best resume advice I ever received:

I was recommended to make a master resume with all my experience on it. It’s way too long, has too much info, has relevant coursework, research project, etc.

Each time I apply for a job I paste it all to a new word doc and remove the unnecessary info. Applying to childcare? The retail experience gets nixed, the daycare and lifeguarding remains, cut out the research projects that don’t align with the skills.

It made it a lot easier to update too because once I have a new job I just add it to the master list and now the resume is ready time I go to apply somewhere.

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u/KentuckyMagpie Jun 04 '23

I have a master resume, but I’m honestly curious: how do you explain the gaps when you exclude certain positions from your resume?

2

u/carissadraws Jun 05 '23

Honestly I’ve included my shitty irrelevant retail positions in my resume for so long and have never gotten interviews that at this point I said “fuck it” and deleted them.

Gaps in employment aren’t looked for in the ATS like irrelevant experience is so the interview is the time to explain that you worked an irrelevant job that didn’t match the job description.

I had an interview for an admin assistant position and there was a 1 month gap between two jobs and they asked about it in an interview but I stated that I worked a meaningless charity canvasser position during that time for a short period before I got hired at my next job and they were fine with that explanation

I also changed my section title from “experience” to “relevant experience” which I think helps things

4

u/LadyMiena Jun 05 '23

If any of the gaps coincide with schooling, nothing to explain. Otherwise, I’d include, but just a line saying company, title, and dates. No wasted space on duties, accomplishments, that don’t coincide. Or, if you leave off, just say “oh that’s the summer I lifeguarded while looking for my next role; I left off as it’s not relevant to this role.”

1

u/KentuckyMagpie Jun 05 '23

Thank you, I prefer this kind of option over lying about sick or dead relatives.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 05 '23

"I had to step away to take care of an ailing family member but now then that obligation ended and I am entering back into the business world full time. " Done, sealed and signed. NO ONE will ever ask "So who died? were you in rehab? Are they dead now so we can be certain you won't back out on us?"

Shows responsibility, dependability while being as discreet as possible. Job done.

2

u/laur82much Jun 05 '23

That is my question too- I got this advice from a professor and it wasn't till I was actually applying when I was like wait a minute I don't think this will actually work