When your job search puts you in a pickle, ask yourself this
➔ So much has changed in the job search world. It seems as if nothing is the same for the job seeker anymore.
For example, take resumes. There is an ever-present debate swirling around what is appropriate to leave in (or include) and what one should leave out.
So much from which to choose
How far back should you go in listing your work history? Is the past 10 years sufficient? For the 50+ job seeker, should you go back 20 years, or even 30 years? Should you include each and every job you’ve ever had? What if you’ve held multiple positions for any one company? Do you include them all?
So many questions, so little consensus regarding the right answers.
Let’s take a step back. A resume is a summary of mostly your work history. Doesn’t it follow that if we all are different and distinct individuals, our resumes would likewise be different and distinct?
So if all resumes are as different as the individuals they represent, how do you determine what is appropriate for your resume?
So what?
One solution is to apply the “So what?” test. It’s very simple. Should I include a job that I held in the 1980s? If I put it in, so what? What is there about that job that today’s hiring manager (or recruiter) should care about? If you can’t answer that question in such a way as to enhance your chances of being hired, leave it out. Simple as that.
Do you include membership in a professional society? What if you do? “So what?” If the focus of the society pertains to the position for which you’re applying, include it. Maybe you were an officer in the group, or maybe you spearheaded an initiative for the group. All good reasons to include it. Those answers provide positive responses to the “So what?” question.
It’s not a fool proof method (as if any are), but it can help you as you sift through the mountain of 21st Century job search questions.
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