People Who Read Resumes Are Not Stupid! (How to write a career change resume the right way)

I recently received an interesting email from a potential client looking to make a career change. She asked whether a functional resume would be better than a traditional structure. She's thinking that she needs to distract employers from her background in one industry so they can imagine her in another ... I know we're not supposed to use capital letters on the Internet because it means we're shouting, but in this case, I am shouting, so my answer is "NO!" (Imagine lots of underlines underneath than "no").

Any trick to distract recruiters from the truth is bound to fail.

Why?

Because they're not stupid and they've been doing this a long time.

They've seen every trick you can think of. They know that the functional (or skills-based) resume is a ploy to hide something. The only thing they don't know is what you're trying to hide. If they have a few minutes to while away, they might try and figure it out. But this is just for sport, you understand, because they've already decided they don't like you very much.

The truth is that if you want to make a career change, you really need to go about it very differently from a normal search. Check out my article on career change for more information.

The key isn't a clever resume or a great cover letter, although these can't hurt. Successful career change requires a proactive strategy and an aggressive networking and personal contact campaign.

And resume-writing for career change requires that you 'fess up to your lack of experience right upfront and quickly show why it shouldn't matter. For example, once upon a time, I might have said started my resume with a headline:

Career Target: Resume Consultant / Career Coach
Experienced HR executive looking to transition to career marketing - offers 15 years
real world hiring experience, plus exceptional writing and marketing skills.

This approach would be honest, straightforward and truthful, and would be much more effective than a "clever" structure that tried to cover up the truth.

It seems that policitians and celebrities never learn, but maybe job seekers can: Tell the truth!

Comments

[Recruiting Animal]

Job-hunters, like Louise is so right. Functional resumes stink. I know right off the bat that they are attempts to bluff me because they hide the source of the experience and, so, its full dimensions.

If you have been a stay at home mom for the last ten years I don't want to see you telling me that you have ten years of people management. Get it? And that's what functional resumes are all about.

[resumepromo]

True, never try to distract hiring managers or recruiters this way. Timing gaps or career functions change should be discussed up front, then quickly drive the interviewers into the area you want him or her to focus on with achievements, facts and figures...

[Louise Fletcher]

Yes, that's the key for me. Show them facts that PROVE they should take a chance on you rather than relying on trickery. I like Recruiting Animal's stay-at-home mom example - if that's the case, just say it upfront and move on. There are lots of things that make you unique and valuable. Identify what they are and focus on them.

[Dennis Smith]

Listen up, Job Seekers! Louise is right! I'm looking for honestly - truthfullness - the straightforward facts!

Do that, and you will be light years of those whose resumes are masked in stealthy functionality.

Dennis