Life Change and Resume Thoughts...

So, I think I have decided to quit my corporate job. I need to look for something else, and while I am thinking I will get my resume business back up and running (I needed to stop taking on clients because my day job got too busy), I have a resume question for myself.

I have been doing the same exact job now for over a year-- I left my previous company because the man who hired me there, left to be CEO of another ad agency, and he took me with him. I don't want to look flakey, and due to circumstances beyond my control-- my resume makes it seem that I have jumped around a lot (I have been laid off, etc).

I was thinking of coming up with a way to combine these two jobs-- so, it looks like I have had less jobs, at first glance. Really, to anyone who is looking at my resume at this point, the names of the agencies will probably mean nothing to them-- I was even thinking of just saying I have been at my current job the whole time, but I don't like outright lying.

Any jobs that I pursue at this point will have very little to do with my advertising career. I just want to figure out the best way to represent myself.

I have been at my current job now for about 7 months, my previous job, about 10. I just want to make it one unit-- it's the same job, same title, working for the same person-- just different companies.

Re: Life Change and Resume Thoughts...

Can you use the name of your boss instead of the company name?

Although honestly, I think the situation should be explained, briefly, in your cover letter or interview. I had TWO similar situations in which I changed jobs b/c my boss left - one fired, one quit - both ending the projects I was hired to work on. It took some explaining but just recently I was hired for a job I really wanted.

I lean towards being clear on your resume and then explaining in a cover letter, though don't harp on it. Just state that you moved with your boss and then focus on whatever else you want to say. From an employer's perspective, it might seem like you're lying if you don't correctly list where you have been working.

Re: Life Change and Resume Thoughts...

Have you thought about using a functional resume? That way you can spell out what your skills are in relation to the types of positions you are applying for. Instead of job titles, you could list skill categories, such as:
Leadership Experience, Managerial Experience, Project Management, etc.

This way it would also be more relevant to jobs outside of advertising, and you can put your employment history toward the bottom.

Re: Life Change and Resume Thoughts...

that's interesting... I guess I can try that and see how it turns out. I really need to have a think about how to best position myself now...

Re: Life Change and Resume Thoughts...

I would put both company names on one line, like:


dates- Title You Held; Company X & Company Y, New York, NY

or just list the 2nd company and put in the body of your description how the position merged from company X into Company Y.
or don't put the company name in the 1st line at all, just:

dates Title, New York, NY

and again just describe it in the body

Did that help at all...lol

Re: Life Change and Resume Thoughts...

thanks for the advice... I added in some professional skills to the top portion of my resume. Then I grouped the two of them together because the job required the same skills, and just made a note in itals that said.. These positions are grouped together as both positions reported in to the same manager, albeit at separate companies.

ETA-- I will also clarify in a cover letter that the CEO personally brought me over, which is a testament to my skills and professionalism, etc.

I think it looks ok for now... I will change it, I am sure.. but I wanted to update my resume quickly so it was ready just in case-- I haven't even quit my job yet!

Message edited 9/3/2007 8:35:36 PM.

Re: Life Change and Resume Thoughts...

What you did sounds good. List it as one, but make a note about the change in company. They should be able to get it from your note and cover letter. Good luck! What will you be pursuing?

Re: Life Change and Resume Thoughts...

I would list only the years of employment (so the last job looks like it was closer to 1-2 years than 10 mo), and then list your supervisor under both of the last 2 positions... that way, the continuity becomes obvious.