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Jobquest: Resumes and "trivial" jobs
You know, I've been leaving my current position at the comic-and-game shop off of my resume, on the assumption that it's somehow "too trivial" and "doesn't look good" for a prospective science professional.
On the other claw, it adds two vitally important things to my resume:
I think I have far too much ego invested in the wrong places. I've been more concerned with presenting myself as a ⟨jonlovitz⟩Scientist⟨/jonlovitz⟩ than as a worker--and I have no idea if that's for the "benefit" of prospective employers, or to sustain my own precarious illusions.
So what looks better? A resume that says "I work in a comic book shop", or one that says "I haven't worked at all since 2007"?
Or have I already answered my own question?
*Aside from my time at AppleOne, which I treat as a single job instead of listing each contract/position individually.
On the other claw, it adds two vitally important things to my resume:
- Evidence that I am, in fact, currently employed; and
- A position that I've held for more than a year -- the only one I've held for more than a few months, since getting my degree in 2003.*
I think I have far too much ego invested in the wrong places. I've been more concerned with presenting myself as a ⟨jonlovitz⟩Scientist⟨/jonlovitz⟩ than as a worker--and I have no idea if that's for the "benefit" of prospective employers, or to sustain my own precarious illusions.
So what looks better? A resume that says "I work in a comic book shop", or one that says "I haven't worked at all since 2007"?
Or have I already answered my own question?
*Aside from my time at AppleOne, which I treat as a single job instead of listing each contract/position individually.
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The first sounds vaguely unsavory, if you ask me, which may be why the boss changed it (along with our almost complete elimination of sports memorabilia from our inventory).
I'm listing my title as "Sales Associate"; trying to fancy it up would suggest that I don't think the job itself is worthy of respect, and that's exactly the attitude I'm trying to kill-with-fire in my own head.
In addition to the cash-handling/opening/closing/make deposits part of the job (which always look good), I DID get the job because I Know The Product, and I know most of the regulars by sight (if not always by name), so "extensive knowledge of inventory lines and customer base" is on my list of Skills.
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Either way, I'd include it. Maybe describe it as a "recessionary job" if it even comes up in interview. It shows a willingness to get work done even if it's not the most glamorous of tasks. But not too much, else you just come across as desperate.
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In addition to your resume' you should put a skills sheet together. The resume' can concentrate on the jobs and accomplishments, but there's a bigger skill set of things you can do that wouldn't appear on a resume. Like software you're fluent with, types of assays, types of lab equipment, survey types, data reduction methods... It's a what do they get in addition to the job title they're hiring for.
It also makes it easier to match things you may have not held a specific job doing yet or that you might think to mention in an interview if they didn't specifically ask.
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(Yes, I've used that joke in the store.)
I've ALWAYS had the Skills section in my resume; last year, I expanded and elaborated on it even more. I should probably touch it up again.
An HTML version of my resume, is online at http://www.dragoncanyon.com, BTW.
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Stray Thoughts:
Any diving or boat certifications?
Let's see, Homeland Security has been hiring people to interface with the Coast Guard including crime investigators. I wonder if they have a CSI like thing?
Tug Boat Captain?
With the Delta Waters bill I wonder what related research would be associated with that?
Guess I need to keep looking and thinking a bit more...