Recent surveys suggest that recruiters are focusing heavily upon current experience in order to qualify candidates for new jobs. What this says about the labor market is that companies will choose an employed candidate over an unemployed seeker because the person's skill set is current. Even a gap of a few months in work history is enough for recruiters to pass over for those with experience right now. So what can the candidate do to improve the resume and get the job?
The Downward Spiraling Resume
Recruiters' demand for current experience doesn't do much for the millions of workers desperate for a new career. Many have been active in the job search, revamping the resume if necessary and applying to dozens of job listings every month. Yet the unfortunate reality is that the longer a person goes without work, the more difficult it becomes to find a job because the candidate's skill set supposedly declines and becomes less competitive than someone currently employed.
It's the same chicken in the egg scenario familiar to so many college grads, only it's now happening to experienced professionals facing unemployment on a daily basis. How does one gain the experience if nobody is willing to hire? And how do career seekers fill in gaps in employment to show current experience relevant to the position description? The key is twofold: 1) changing the resume to functional rather than chronological, and 2) adding new "work" experience relevant to the occupation.
Changing the CV from Reverse Chronological to Functional
The traditional resume format is reverse chronological. This style begins with a chronological order of experience starting with the most current employer and working backward through the candidates' employment history. Job highlights and successes are typically emphasized in this section.
Most candidates fail to realize that the CV can also be written to emphasize key skills first over and above previous employment. This is called a functional resume, and is highly effective for those who have gaps in experience or who are changing careers.
Adding Relevant Work Experience to the Resume
A functional CV showcases job skills and successes followed by a condensed list of prior experience. This allows recruiters and HR managers to quickly scan the person's knowledge and abilities first, giving a solid first impression as dates of employment become secondary. Even so, employers will always want to know about past experience – companies worked for, dates, and responsibilities at each position.
Those who find themselves with a resume gap would benefit from any activity related to their profession whether paid or not. Volunteering is a good option; temping or hourly office employment is another. Even working online through project-based freelancing websites such as oDesk, Guru or Elance are options some are choosing in a challenging economy. Though times may be tough, the absolute worst thing a person can do is nothing at all.
Unfortunately, HR managers won't accept "Actively seeking a new job" as a valid reason for a resume gap. Find a paid or volunteer activity that relates to the profession, then write successes on the CV in a new chronological work history entry. Change the document to a functional format to show job skills and successes first. While the gap won't disappear, it may be enough to convince employers that all skills are up to date and the person is capable of handling the new career.
Daniel Gansle - Daniel J. Gansle is the author of 2012: Day of Reckoning, graduate of Anthropological Studies and expert in ancient Mayan culture.
