How Do I Decide Which Positions Are “Relevant?”
By Jeremy Cyrus 08/03/2012
As the job hunt stretches on, many job seekers begin to widen their list of criteria as they search for open positions. What begins as a search for a “level-two production supervisor position for a publisher of geology and biology-related academic journals” becomes a search for “almost any position in the publishing field.”
So when you find a promising position that pushes the limits of your experience, how do you sort through that experience to showcase your most relevant skills? In other words, how can you present your job history in a way that highlights your most important qualifications?
The way you format your resume can play a key role in this process. For formatting help, turn to a sophisticated online resume creation service like FreeResumeBuilder.org. In the meantime, use these tips to bring your most relevant skills to the foreground.
Which of My Skills Are Most Relevant to This Position?
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Read between the lines as you study the posting. Think in general terms. Is this employer looking for a strong leader who can navigate corporate culture? Is the employer looking for someone quiet and obedient who will take orders without complaining? Is the employer looking for a creative person with a flair for design? To answer these questions, you may need to step back and make some inferences.
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Consider the industry. How many times in your life have you brushed against this field in any way? You may have worked as an executive assistant in the healthcare field. And this post asks for an executive assistant in the fashion industry. But before you assume you have no relevant experience, stop and think. Which of your assistant skills might translate from one field to the other?
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Are you willing to learn? Are you ready to let go of your ego and address the existing gaps in your knowledge in order to bring yourself quickly up to speed? Let this come through in your resume and cover letter, and be ready to express it during your interview.