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Resume Purgatory

Beth Ann

Veteran

I've not needed a resume for more than two decades.

Most of the time, my best jobs have kind of "happened" to me. For example, my Uni position came about because the head of the department attended the church at which my DH was a the brand new Pastor. He interviewed me during a luncheon following one of DHs interview sessions. Ha! I was a good fit, and I was perfectly capable, but I think he was mostly relieved to not have to spend weeks on a search. I got to work before my boxes were unpacked.

Let's just say that's not happening now.

I've passed my board exams (woohoo), and I'm in the process of writing a career transition resume. Transferring from music education back to music therapy isn't a huge stretch, of course -- I think I can make that work. Looking vibrant and not over qualified (or just plain old) is a bigger challenge!

Any fabbers experienced with resume writing, or working in HR? I'm open to all advice! A couple of questions that are on the table:
Include dates, or no? (I just turned 53) Also, from 1991-1996, I did a lot of temping, in between freelance singing gigs. Since I was at my Uni job for 19 years, do I have to include every job I've had. (Although it's the temping that gave me the computer aptitude I need for work).

Oh yes, and since DH's car is in the shop with $6,300 of needed repairs (probably more than it's blue book value) -- I need to move fast!

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21 replies

Latest reply was from TraceyLiz65

rachylou

Veteran

I would create a base resume with dates and then be prepared to spend a lot of time customizing copies. Esp. if working with head hunters. I also think the one page resume for a professional job is weak - altho people like to suggest it. Reviewers want hard data, no fudges.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have no words of wisdom Beth Ann, but am cheering you on from the sidelines. Happy resume-writing.

Adelfa

Veteran

Hi Beth Ann, I hire a lot of people--actually I hire therapists--and have lots of opinions about resumes. Also I found a job in a new city at age (wait for it) 53. I would not put dates, at least not of when you got your bachelor's. I also would not put every job. If you want you can put the good jobs under a heading called "Relevant Experience." Your resume might have five seconds to grab someone's attention and needs to be written like that.

I would be more than happy to take a look at your resume and give you suggestions. My feedback would not be the Word of the Lord or anything, but it would be the honest and supportive view of someone who is always hiring and looks at many, many resumes. PM me if you want.

I do wish you the very best. For most of us job hunting is absolutely no fun. You are full of talent, compassion, and creativity, and whoever hires you will be lucky to have you.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Rachy: One advantage of a boutique-sized professions --- there aren't any headhunters. There simply isn't enough in it for them! I will definitely be moving to 2 pages, and I think I'll keep the dates, at least for now. Customizing will be essential, and much easier in the age of computers. I think I did my last resume in Word Perfect on a 286 desktop computer with 3 MB Ram and a floppy disk drive. Of course, we all wrote code back in the day. Remember C:/dos?

Thanks, Angie! I'm rather likely a donkey in the pasture about this task --- don't want to budge! Gotta keep the energy up!

Adelfa

Veteran

Also an encouraging thought, in my experience this type of profession has the least possible amount of age discrimination.

Gaylene

Veteran

Rachylou and Adelfa have given you good advice. For what it's worth, here's some additional ideas you might want to consider.

A resume is a sales letter, not an autobiography, so make sure your strongest qualifications stand out by putting them at the places where they'll get noticed--the beginning and ends of documents, lists, pages, paragraphs and even sentences. Never bury the best in the middle.

Chronological resumes work best if your last position is your strongest qualification for the position you are seeking. If your strongest qualification is your recent degree, it makes more sense to start with that and strengthen it with other experiences/skills you have that fit the job you are seeking.

Put yourself in the role of the person hiring for the position you want. Make a list of the important qualifications and personal attributes you'd want in your dream candidate if you were looking to fill that position. . Then, beside each point in the list, show how you could meet that need/ qualification/attribute. Draw from your entire bank of experiences, skills, and knowledge--not just your work life or education. If you can match your skills with at least 3/4 of what is on the list, you'll be a strong contender.

Target a resume to a specific position. If you are applying for different positions, adapt your resume for each position. Generic, one-size-fits-all resumes rarely work.

Use a cover letter to highlight your strongest qualifications. Remember you are selling a product--yourself--to a stranger, so use a confident, professional tone and never put yourself down by sounding hesitant or unsure.

Focus on your "value added" skills. Maybe you are fluent in another language, or have computer skills, or have traveled to different countries, or worked with different cultures--putting these experiences in your resume can differentiate you from other candidates with similar academic/work qualifications and make you appear more interesting to a potential employer.

Show your resume to a few different people whose judgement you trust and ask for an honest assessment. Listen to what they say and think about it, but don't alter your resume unless YOU think it is a good idea. Resumes come in all shapes and sizes, and the best resume is the one that leads to a job. I've seen students with beautiful resumes that were prepared by "professionals" for $$$$ that never get called for an interview, and students with very simple resumes who end up with dream jobs.

Finally, remember the purpose of a resume is to make you sound interesting enough to get called for an interview. Job offers come from interviews, not resumes.

kkards

Veteran

beth ann-
i'm wondering if you can get some help from the Uni you attended or the one that you worked at or the one that your husband works at. one of the things i was surprised to learn was that the college that i attended was willing to give alums accesses to many of the services that it gives seniors entering the job market.
that aside, if you are applying for jobs where the 1st reader of your resume is an HR person and not your actual potential boss, make sure you have the current buzz words in your field in your resume…..in my experience, both as a hiring manager and a job seeker, without the buzz words your resume is no likely to make it past the HR readers.

wishing you good luck and happy hunting (if that's possible)

Beth Ann

Veteran

Adelfa: Yes, indeed! You made a big move at exactly the same age I am now. I do know, from talking to managers who do hire, that I have more direct experience than most of the fresh graduates who apply, and my related musical experiences as a performer and educator will be perceived positively. I think I have to show why I'm interested in a return to therapy -- and that's not clear enough yet in the resume as its shaping up now. I may take you up on your offer!

Gaylene: Before going into an audition or interview, I imagine myself saying to the person across the table, "If you hire me, your life/job will be easier!" It does indeed help to see the position from their point of view. Your point to position the most pertinent information in strategic places across the page is very helpful. Not surprisingly, I'm very verbal and auditory in learning style, and I need to remember that most hiring managers will not be as enamored with dense text, and will be skimming with their eyes.

Since I had an opportunity to volunteer with the planning committee of a regional music therapy conference in April (great timing), I do know a couple of business owners, who aren't hiring right now, and might be willing to give me feedback.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Kkards: I graduated so long ago, I hadn't considered using the university. However, you're right that alums can often access the same aids. I will look into it! Fortunately for me, most of the hiring managers who'll be screening my resume are either music therapists themselves, or experienced in a related field. I've been at work on translating my teaching experiences into a therapeutic context. For example, music therapy is described as "Clinical, evidence based music interventions based upon individualized goals and objectives." Teaching voice at the Uni required me to create an individualized curriculum, based upon the student's unique instrument and skill level, within the structure of a standardized syllabus. I've described this instruction as "designed highly differentiated musical experiences based upon individualized goals and objectives." Truthfully, I felt fortunate every day of teach that I had training as a therapist, rather than a more typical vocal performance or music ed background. I used that deeper understanding of the process of learning and change constantly. I've just have to help the hiring managers see the connections!

Chris987

Veteran

I don't have any comment sto add about resume writing, but I can make a suggestion about one way to find openings and get yourself "found" as a candidate. For many types of jobs the hiring process begins online on sites like LinkedIn. HR and hiring managers search on this site (and others) by using LinkedIn tools that look for certain keywords. I just did a quick search myself and found literally thousands of people (all over the world) with the job title "music therapist" so it would seem your profession is well represented in the LI world. The info you post about yourself on LI is a short bulletized resume...like everything these days it's shortened/summarized etc. If using sites like LI is brand new to you, you might want to do some searches or pick up a book on how to get started. If you have never used LI before let me know and I can find you some pointers to get you started.

You can also use LinkedIn to find job openings that you can apply for.

Monster.com used to be the premier site of this sort of stuff but LinkedIn eclipsed them a few years ago.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Beth Ann, I probably don't have much to add to the excellent pointers you've already received from Adelfa, Gaylene, Chris, kkards, and more, but I wanted to wish you luck on this. Any employer who hires you is going to be extremely lucky to get someone with your depth of insight and caring approach.

As you know, I also entered the job market at over 50 and got my job with a 2 page resumé that described relevant accomplishments/ experience first. I just looked at it and I realize I did put dates for some things but I don't think it is absolutely necessary. In my case, I was lucky in that I was already known to my potential employers in another capacity. So I do not think it was the resumé that got me in the door or that got me the job; in fact, I doubt they cared about it. (They cared far more about the writing samples I included in my application package). But I definitely think you won't need more than the 2 page highlight type resumé at this point -- they will ask for more detail if they require it.

Anyway, happy to send it to you if you wish, although I do not claim it is a model of anything!

I think it also helps to assume the best. As in, do not assume that your age is a liability. It is not. Instead, go into your interviews knowing that your wealth of experience is valuable to your potential employer. As a music therapist you might be working with an elderly, or, conversely, a very young population. In either case, your experience as teacher, parent, performer will all inform your approach and deepen your intuitions. This is a BIG plus.

On a related note -- I entered the teaching profession a bit older than most (I was in my early 30s). The job market in my area for teachers was abysmal when I graduated. I was one of the very few from my graduating class to get a local job. (Most had to go overseas). Why? Because my maturity stood out. The people who hired me said so explicitly.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Chris -- LI is very important, particularly when casting a pretty wide net for a job (assuming here that employers act like fish, lol). I do indeed plan on filling in my LI profile, adding a short resume and a photo ---- I have some info on how to do this, but I"ll PM you if I run into trouble, and I might ask you to review my profile when I'm finished!

Suz: Thanks so much for the encouragement. As creative, fine-arts ladies, we have to learn early to market all of our skills! I'm hopeful that I can find a position that lets me spread my wings a bit, while giving something of value. Ideally, I'd like to design my own position focused on community based music therapy, delivering services through community centers and libraries, but I need a base of income first. If I'm fortunate, I'll find an employer who will help me build a platform into this sort of work, in exchange for opening up a whole new population of clients for their facility. Wish me luck!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Beth Ann, it sounds wonderful. Music therapy is indeed a gift and of enormous benefit to so very many people. I hope you find the kind of position you're seeking.

Jane

Veteran

For my lovely job that I work in now, I had a one page resume. Very simple, very straight forward, but somehow it chimed with my now (super) boss. My linkedin profile and the resume were pretty much the same.

I'd send you a copy, but I work in property, so I'm not sure it will help, but you are more than welcome if you thought it might.

I wish you luck and I'm sure all will go well.

Carla

Veteran

I'm a big fan of the skills based resume, with the listing of work/job, education, hobbies/interests, etc. - where the skills were acquired, as brief lines underneath. This works especially if you have a long list of diverse work.

The skills paragraphs can get moved around depending on the job applied for. I consider the covering letter of paramount importance. And this is where you can drop the buzz words of your trade, from the add, and from the organization's website or literature (mission statements, etc.)

DH, who's legacy to some extent has been the people he has hired for his organisation is routinely called on for hiring panels. He says he wants the candidate to demonstrate how they meet the listed qualifications by articulating in their covering letter and during the interview, their accomplishments and what they learned from them. He says it is remarkable how many candidates are self effacing and won't self promote.

When you have your professional references lined up, provide them each with a copy of your resume. They might only know you from the work you did for them, and seeing a bigger picture they may be able to comment better on your expertise, well rounded bank of knowledge, flexibility, etc when they are contacted. Also, they may be in a position to recommend you for an opportunity you don't know exists.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thank you Jane, for reminding me that simple can be best -- I'm trying to balance detail and thoroughness with clarity and efficiency! (Singers are known for being of many words, and resisting editors!)

Carla: Great perspective -- I do indeed have trouble promoting myself. I have looked at some of my friends recently, and I've seen a lot of creative "reframing." For example, a singer friend listed that she worked in "marketing at the Metropolitan Opera." Yeah. She worked in the gift store. Technically, she was spot on, but if I'd hate to have to elaborate in an interview! My challenge? To promote my skills in a way that shows how I've added value to my employer, audience, students, clients. When you're in music, that's tough! Much easier to say, "created $2M in sales by opening up new market sector." Hee.

I think I'm al......most.........do......ne!

Jane

Veteran

Beth Ann, difficult though to keep it short, but you've only just got to get through the door and to the interview panel, the rest of it you can speak about. Do photos help in the US? Someone told me it was old fashioned but I like them. I would include one on my next CV, because, if there is only a photo on say 1 in 5 CV's, it just makes it stand out a bit more.

Politics in the UK aren't settling down and we are now in the midst of political party leadership elections. One of the candidates, presented a very glossy looking CV (running financial companies, taking very senior roles) and she has been horribly caught out. Silly error, and you would have thought her advisers would have watched out for her.

How do references work in the US? Over here we are super wary of saying anything other than neutral.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Jane: It's rare to put a photo on a resume, but it is expected to use one on Linked In. Here is the US, I'll expect employers to check my LI page, too, and to probably do a cursory web search. I've already searched my own name -- at least I'm not a millennial with loads of party pics all over the web! When we searched my husband's name a year ago, we discovered a handsome British rugby player has his same name. He decided people would not likely be confused -- since he's a theology professor!

References are used given after you get through the resume screening -- so they won't appear directly on my resume, but I have a page ready. Here, in some large corporations, they are told only to "verify employment," which is actually kinda controversial. If you work for someone for ten years, shouldn't you be entitled to be commended to a new employer when you've produced well in your position? In my field, the expectation is that you don't agree to be a reference if you're not ready to give a positive report. Once or twice, I've had to tell students that I'm not the best choice for a reference. It was hard, but, these were students who were incredibly irresponsible, and only asked me because I was "nice." In another case, a student has started her college career poorly, but made an amazing turnaround. I was able to acknowledge her struggle (clearly evident in her records), but communicate that she had shown amazing maturity and talent, ending up as a standout student. I was happy to help her get into a great grad school.

I should mention that I'm actually transitioning back to music therapy after 20 years teaching voice privately and on the college level. They're definitely related, but I'm afraid to be perceived as being a snooty college professor and "fine arts" person, and I'm entering a social science profession -- this will likely affect my choice of interview outfit --- more on that later!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I just have to chuckle-the first time I read the title of your post I thought something was wrong and you were returning to, or "resuming" purgatory. Still read it wrong in my head everytime I see it.

Jeanie

Veteran

Just sending my support! I am in the same boat and feel kinda paralyzed on how to update my resume. It's nice to see all these pointers.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I read the title as resuming purgatory and was quite intrigued, lol

Best of luck to you in this new journey. ,