Resume for second job
@wfhchristiner (352)
Canada
October 6, 2012 3:03pm CST
I am in need of a second job, and plan to work part time in retail as customer service or any position relates to that. My biggest problem is how to write my resume. I don't have any experience in retail, and my current job is in Finance/Accounting. If I write resume in chronological type, it will be irrelevant, too high qualification, and may end up in the bin. How to write a resume for a second job? Do you have to be honest and reveal that you actually only need a second job? Will they consider you, while they have hundreds of other candidates that are willing to do anything for their first job? In your resume, do you have to put all your achievements even if it is irrelevant and makes you too overqualified? If you hide some information, and they find out from Linkedin that you've hide some information, would it be not too good? What is the best strategy in this case?
3 responses
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
12 Oct 12
Better to be honest to your employer. Write exactly your experiences and I think they will give you a chance to heard your side through personal interview. Don't think you are over qualified for that position. Who knows, the interviewer will like you not because of your experiences but maybe because of your attitude and personal grooming.
@wfhchristiner (352)
• Canada
14 Oct 12
Yes, interview makes a different. You can tell the actual situation with the hope that they will understand and appreciate it more. It is a bit tricky to make resume for second job. There are a lot of other candidates who can work all day, all hours available, meanwhile I don't have that flexibility, because I still have my full time position. I twik my resume to be a functional resume, more than a chronological resume. I highlight the most applicable skills related to the position, even though it is not my recent position. My recent position have nothing to do with the second job that I apply, so I de-emphasize that by using the functional resume. I do not hide information, I just present it in a different way. I got the job, even though it's a part time. They will evaluate after 3 months. I am happy, at least I get the job first. My resume turns out to be fantastic.
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
7 Oct 12
Well all i can recommend u is that try to be very honest in your resume and do not try to hide any details in it. u can make your resume simple and short and mention all your qualifications and experiences in details as most of the companies and organizations are hiring candidates with extra experiences. So it would be an added advantage for u so do not hide any details and be as honest as u can.
What say?
@wfhchristiner (352)
• Canada
14 Oct 12
Thank you. I follow your suggestion, I didn't not hide my qualification, but I modify how I present it to tailor with the position. I use the functional resume instead of chronological resume, posting the most applicable skills at the top, so it catches the eyes. I still put my history of position, but at the bottom. So it's not so obvious that my current position is not relevant to the position that I apply. I do not hide, but just pointing it out in a different way. Hope this helps.
@maezee (41985)
• United States
24 Dec 12
Honestly, sometimes employers DO look at a person who is "overqualified" and disqualify you on those means, which is pretty sad. It's hard when you are looking for a second job, because prospective employers know that A) you might get burned out and quit or be a no-call no-show, or B) you will not prioritize it as much because it's not your "main" job -- which are all good points. I would just start throwing your resume out there and seeing what happens. Perhaps you could make a headline or objective/note on it somewhere saying you are looking for retail experience or to broaden your horizons/get more skills or something to that extent. Employers like to hear that, especially when you are coming from a completely different field of work. If you're talking about entry-level retail positions, they aren't too hard to get (I'll say it) -- but I have to say, you JUST missed the seasonal openings, which would have been a good time to get hired. I would put an emphasis on what is most relevant, but you can include as much as you'd like. Best of luck to you though.
