Getting your player ready...
We get a lot of questions on the Resumé Tips Forum from job seekers asking how to handle job-hopping and long periods of unemployment on their resumés. But occasionally, someone asks the flip side: how to handle long-term employment with one company. With so much disruption in the labor force and many workers eager to jump at better jobs, employees who stay with one company for a significant amount of time may wonder, “Am I a dinosaur?”
The answer, of course, is no. The key is to present your long-term work history as a positive attribute, proof you’re in for the long haul. Recruiting a new employee is an expensive endeavor – companies are always looking for ways to promote long-term tenure – so demonstrate you are a worthwhile investment. Here are ways to enhance your resumé: Keep learning. Some employers might view your long-term employment as an indication that your skills have stagnated. Prove them wrong by constantly refreshing your skills through formal education and self-study. Participate in professional-development courses sponsored by your employer or paid for out-of-pocket. Create a Professional Development section on your resume to list your ongoing education. Remove outdated skills and credentials. Obsolete skills are a sure sign of a dinosaur, so omit them. If you aren’t sure, ask a trusted colleague or potential hiring manager whether a particular skill is still current. You can also glean this information by scouring job ads. List different positions separately. Promotions illustrate that your company realized your worth and offered you more responsibility. Even lateral moves indicate your employer recognized your diverse talents. Instead of grouping all of your positions under one heading, give your positions individual descriptions along with distinct time periods. Reinforce your internal mobility with terms such as “promoted to” or “selected.” If you’ve been in the same position for your entire tenure, show how you’ve grown in this position and made a difference to the organization. Display accomplishments. Your employment description should go beyond merely listing job duties. To get noticed in a competitive job market, your resumé should feature a track record of accomplishments. If you feel stifled in your current position, volunteer for a project outside your core competency to experience new challenges and develop new skills. Use your employment history to your advantage. Use longevity, dedication, commitment, loyalty and perseverance as selling points, both on your resume and in interviews. You also have the advantage of having seen your accomplishments through from beginning to end.
