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December 15, 2006 3:48 PM

Should I dumb down my resume?

I've worked for four years for an investor relations firm here in NYC. In that time I've done three separate jobs for the company starting with doing web management and moving eventually to client services. The problem lies in the fact that I haven't really learned how to DO anything and my job now is basically an entry level position and there is no room for advancement. So, I'm looking to get an entry level position somewhere else and perhaps in some other industry but A: I spent four years at a company doing three jobs and B: I'm 32. What I'm wondering is if I should dumb down my resume so that I will be more attractive to those people hiring entry level people. My resume can look impressive but my actual skills don't really back it up.

Also, I keep hearing that if you are 32 and you haven't made some kind of career inroads people think there is something wrong with you and you will be passed over in the hiring process. Is there any truth to this?

posted by josher71 to work & money (13 comments total)

I don't think you should be applying to entry-level positions with the experience you have. Chances are that you're more critical towards yourself than others would be and that in fact if you think hard, you have acquired some transferable skillls. I think that you should sit down and write down every single responsibility and task you had/performed in your present company and you will discover skills that you are overlooking. Also, as it often happens in some sectors, people are not hired for their skills per se but rather for their personality - employers look whether they could see themselves working with a given person (whether they are personable, intelligent, seem dependable). A part of the personality that some employers look for is confidence and the ability to sell yourself. I think that you should shoot higher than entry-level, you may be pleasantly surprised.
posted by barrakuda at 4:00 PM on December 15, 2006

No, do not dumb down your resume -- at least until you've exhausted other possibilities. I heartily recommend working with a career coach, if you aren't able to see your experience and talents on your own. You may need help in identifying what skills you've done.

If you don't want to work with a coach, try doing a skills inventory. Take stock of your experiences and talents. Then map them to job postings that look interesting to you.
posted by acoutu at 4:17 PM on December 15, 2006

I say go for it: dumb it down
posted by matteo at 4:25 PM on December 15, 2006

I'm pondering a similar career change. I've been in my field for 2 years now without much success. So, it's time to pursue new opportunities.

I've found that there is an abundance of books for career changers. What Color Is Your Parachute is a highly regarded resource, and was recommended to me by a career counselor friend. There are many other books in this vein, and most of them have you do what the above posters have suggested, in order to find your true interests and skills.
posted by reenum at 4:26 PM on December 15, 2006

Get thee to a recruiter. Better yet, many recruiters. I don't know whether recruiting is as prevalent in your field as it is in tech or finance, but I've got to imagine that in NYC there are enough to keep you occupied. Not all will bother with someone at your level, but some will.

A good recruiter will have an understanding of what companies are looking for and what your value is on the market. A great one will take the time to rework your resume and do some interview coaching to give you a leg up. After all, even an entry-level placement nets them a huge chunk of cash.

I've spent the last few years twiddling my thumbs in a very corporate job, frustrated and going nowhere with my career. As it turns out, just having put in that time opened up a lot of doors. Companies that can afford to pay a recruiter's commission don't take risks: they want people who are stable, dependable, competent, and proven. Even for an 'entry-level' position, they want someone who will have the job down cold on day one, as who can take in stride whatever other responsibilities they care to pile on. That's you, and you might be surprised what your experience is worth to them. Don't sell yourself short!

p.s. That said, don't trust a recruiter further than you can spit a rat. Remember that it's business, and their relationship to their clients are much more valuable to them than their relationship to you...
posted by a young man in spats at 4:57 PM on December 15, 2006

Don't dumb it down. Also I would not recommend applying to an entry level position. I have been in the same type of situation and today I am very glad I didn't.
posted by sandrapbrady at 6:18 PM on December 15, 2006

There's nothing wrong in principle with editing your resume for relevance and emphasis. A resume is a marketing tool and admits of all honest marketing techniques.

However, as someone who gets the resumes of hundreds of New Yorkers every year, trust me when I say that four years at a respectable employer in respectable (even if not glamorous) roles is good experience relative to your competition. Great, even: the vast majority of resumes I see (including many from those older than you) have no four-year-long tenures anywhere.

Barakkuda has good things to say about to really put a good angle on this. Don't undersell yourself!
posted by MattD at 6:46 PM on December 15, 2006

Josh,

Prior to retiring a couple of years ago I worked my way up the food chain ultimately serving as a VP for a global telecom. During my career I read literally thousands of resumes and hired who knows how many people. I'm fairly confident that during all that time I never hired anyone who had "dumbed down" their resume.

First, with regards to your age, take no mind of anyone telling you you are past your prime. At your age it is perfectly normal to want more out of a career, and seeking a better job with another firm is a reasonable thing to do if there is no upward mobility where you are.

Secondly, the fact that you've been with a firm for four years is great for your resume. There is no shame to having performed multiple jobs while you are there as it demonstrates that you are flexible, a quick learner, and valuable enough to your current employer to be allowed to take on new responsibilites.

Finally, you should emphasize those points as well as your people skills and desire for upward mobility in your new resume. You may need to rework it a bit, but that doesn't mean you should scrap your experience.

I also recommend that you find some people you know who are in managerial roles that constantly review resumes and ask them to critique yours before you float it out there. The honest feedback will help you improve it, and that could very well help you get your foot in someone's door.

Good luck,

John
posted by jpozadzides at 8:40 PM on December 15, 2006 [2 favorites]

I heard this at a Terry Paulson seminar (which was very good, BTW): When surveyed, 70% of white collar office workers admitted to having "imposter feelings". Basically, "if anybody ever found out how little I know about what I'm doing, I'd be in big trouble". Your value is only partly what you know how to do. Your main value is your ability to learn to solve the problem at hand. So, NO, don't dumb down your resume, and don't look for an entry level job. My 2 cents...
posted by takenRoad at 9:00 PM on December 15, 2006 [2 favorites]

I agree with those above that four years is good experience on it's own, and makes you a much better hire than someone straight from college or whatever. Don't play it down, play it up. There's always going to be good stuff in there. Even just the desire to move forward is a good thing.

As for your age, whose business is that besides your own? Don't put it on your resume, don't tell anyone while interviewing, don't see it as any kind of issue whatsoever. Your age is irrelevant and I'd be very surprised if anyone even asked, the risk of you claiming discrimination is too high. Focus on what you've learnt so far and how you want to move forward instead.

A couple of years ago I took a somewhat entry level technician position (entry level for someone with a post grad degree anyway) while being a lot older than most applicants. Yeah I have too little experience for my age (due to several years sick leave in my mid twenties) and have had people look askance at that once they know. But it's that last part that's important because no one knew until I was working in the job and it was too late. It never came up before then and I'm pretty sure the people hiring just assumed I was the same age as other new graduates. Turned out I was damn good at my job so those who looked askance ended up feeling silly *shrug*.
posted by shelleycat at 10:37 PM on December 15, 2006

"...but I spent four years at a company doing three jobs..."

vs.

"...having performed multiple jobs while you are there as it demonstrates that you are flexible, a quick learner, and valuable enough to your current employer to be allowed to take on new responsibilites."

Do you see the difference between those two statements? They're conveying the same factual information but the second one does it in a way that will land you a job. That's one example of how you can be spinning your work experience.
posted by GalaxieFiveHundred at 7:30 AM on December 16, 2006

"Also, I keep hearing that if you are 32 and you haven't made some kind of career inroads people think there is something wrong with you and you will be passed over in the hiring process. Is there any truth to this?"

I don't think there's any truth to this at all. It may depend on the industry, but I work in both information technology and health care and have never run into any issues.

And 'career coaches' and 'life coaches' are usually for losers. You don't need to pay some turkey to give you advice. You can do it on your own.

you've been at the same place for 4 years - that fact alone can help you out quite a bit. It can show that you're a loyal employee and aren't just 'job hopping.' It also shows that you have worked to move up (or around) in the company.

I wouldn't dumb down your resume. Just keep it honest. That's always worked for me.
posted by drstein at 9:15 AM on December 16, 2006

Thanks to everyone for the input. It is super helpful.
posted by josher71 at 10:51 AM on December 16, 2006