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| *Ostroff, Fair and Company>>>Administrative and Office Support |
Is it ethical to "dumb down" a resume and should I consider it in this case? |
I've had a progressive administrative support career for 20 years. I started college in my mid-twenties to pursue other interests and for personal growth. I earned a non-business related degree from an elite university over the course of ten years of night school. I have been unemployed for 2 yrs due to some family issues and I recently moved from a major city to a small town. I have a very corporate mentality and have always tried to put my best professional foot forward. Pickin's are slim around these parts. I've applied for a wide range of available administrative positions. Few resulting interviews. All to no avail. The usual reaction is that I'm "overqualified." I really am eager to get back to work and quite frankly, need the paycheck. More than a couple of people have suggested trimming my resume to the bare bones, eliminating my education and accomplishments. Is this the way to go about it? Is there another way? What's the best thing to do in this situation? Thanks. Getting a job is work. Like all work, you will use certain talents to accomplish certain tasks. A resume should be just such a reflection. You write a resume for a specific job; highlighting those talents that fit that job and down play or eliminate those that have no meaning to the job. This makes it easier for the person reviewing the resume to read and like the person he is reading about. Think of it as writing an advertisement highlighting appealing features. You said you moved to a smaller town. If it is a new area, there is always the problem that people will think you will not stay long in the area because you are use to something better or larger. This may have as much a factor in the statement "over qualified" then your work history or education. A well written cover letter could explain why you have moved to the area as well as why you want the job. Good Luck! Do it! I lost out on a killer position because they thought i was over-qualified. Do what you gotta do! There is nothing unethical about leaving out qualifications. Adding qualifications is unethical, but "overlooking" some of them are not. I wouldn't leave out the education, but maybe don't highlight it as much initially. Also, if you have a 20 year career, you probably have a full resume that likely is more than one page. Trim it down to one page (if it's not already) and make the job descriptions less verbose and easy to read. Some people like bulleted job descriptions, and that's a really good way to say something without saying anything. Good luck. Might not be a bad idea especially if you are in a smaller community and you need the job. You can always excel at the position and hope there is room for advancement. Good luck... Although your reason for wanting to do this does make sense - don't do it! I am preparing for interviews and have been reading many books. I just read a story about a girl who did this in order to get a position, and 11 months later, it caught up with her. The company found out, and she was fired - she had been offered a promotion the week before. Even if the employer does not find out about it in the initial background check (as in this woman's case) - it may come to light in the future and you will pay the price for it - don't take your chances! Resumes should be structured in response to the job. This is a smart way of highlighting your pertinent education and experience. An extended personal biography is for a job application always a turn-off since it gives the impression that you are not focused. This is absolutely ethical. It obviously would not be ethical if you would make up a resume. In your case, with many gaps in between jobs, you should in your application and interview show and demonstrate your willingness to adjust to the company's climate and requirements. If you are not hired as the boss, try to bring across that you are a good team player. I don't think it's in your best interest, nor do I think it's ethical to eliminate education. However, I would make my resume more concise. You're overwhelming them with your accomplishments and they feel as soon as you get a better offer, you'll leave them cold. |
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