If you have switched careers, fields of study, and/or professions throughout your adult life, you are not alone. While it is certainly commendable to go back to school, earn certification in yet another field, and do clinicals or volunteer work in your new passion ~ what you choose to include on your resume will make all the difference between whether you get called for an interview or not.
It says a lot of positive, great stuff about you if you are able to embrace new opportunities, learn new things, and fearlessly go where you have not gone before; however, it also has some negative connotations. If you have gone back to school for a (yet another) degree in a totally different field than what you originally studied, or if you have now chosen to attend some sort of technical school or 18-month certification program in something ~ it may raise flags for the reader. Are you unable to make decisions? Are you unsure of who you are or what you want? Do you even know what your strong skills are?
The good news is ~ the ONLY way for the reader of your resume (that is, your potential employer) to know that you earned your undergrad degree in Accounting, went back for your Master’s in Education 10 years later, and got certified in Cosmetology last week ~ is if you include it all on your resume.
So don’t.
If your goal TODAY is to secure a position at a beauty salon or cosmetic counter ~ then your resume and your cover letter needs to look like THAT is the career and field of study you have been passionate about your entire life! You need to look focused, concentrated, and certain that now THIS is what you truly want to do. While you should certainly add your other academic achievements, you don’t need to say, specifically, WHAT your baccalaureate was in or what you focused on for your Master’s.
The point of a resume, AS ALWAYS, is to get noticed. To get a phone call. To get a shot at talking with the hiring manager so that YOU can see if you even want to work for the company afterall.
Remember that the next time you are interviewed over the phone or in person.
YOU are interviewing them too.
So, if you just earned certification in motorcycle maintenance, congrats! Just don’t include that you also happen to be a surgeon on your resume! (You can save that info for the coffeebreak room, the company picnic, or if someone needs medical attention at your new job!)
