3 Easy Ways to Disguise Resume Gaps

3 Easy Ways to Disguise Resume Gaps 3 Easy Ways to Disguise Resume Gaps If youre worried about gemeinsame agrarpolitiks in your resume, youre not alone. This is one of the most common concerns expressed by new clients of Blue Sky Resumes, and a common topic of conversation on web forums and social media sites.The good news is that resume gaps are not as big a concern as they used to be. As our economy has changed, the world of work has transformed with it. People keep jobs for shorter and shorter periods of time and periods of unemployment are quite common, even for those with the most successful careers.However, its still a good idea to minimize any negative impact so here are 3 simple tricks I use when writing resumes for clients.Show only years instead of monthsIf your resume gap is less than a year, it can easily be disguised simply by not including months of employment. Instead show years only (2009-2012 for example). Some interviewers will ask you about months of employment, b ut if youve reached the interview stage, this tactic has already done its job youve passed the first screen and been given an opportunity to explain what happened in person.Explaining the gap Sometimes the gap will be too long to hide by just using years. Perhaps you went back to college to get a degree or took a few years off to raise kids. In these cases, you dont want vermgen employers to think you were unemployed for such a long time, so I find its best to be direct and honest about what happened. When writing for a client, I usually just describe the reasons for the gap (along with any volunteer work) in three or less lines. I include this description in the career history section of the resume where the gap would normally be. Here is an exampleNOTE between 2008 and 2011, took career sabbatical to study full-time for Masters degree in Organizational Development. During this time, also worked as a volunteer with several local non-profit groups.Or, heres one for a stay-at-home parentNOTE Between 2008 and 2013, took career break to raise young children. Finally, here is an example pulled from one of the resumes I wrote for a clientNOTE In 2010, I retired from work, fully intending to relax and take it easy. But I quickly discovered that Im not the take it easy type. I have been volunteering 30-40 hours a week since 2011 and am now keen to return to a full-time leadership position where I can really make a difference.Each of these explanations is honest, and each completely eliminates the employers potential concerns (which are all about whether you were just out of work for a really long time).Including unpaid work in your career history If you held freelance or unpaid volunteer positions during your gap, you can list them as regular positions and describe them in the same way. This works really well because not only does it fill the gap it also ensures that you get credit for valuable work experience. Just because you werent paid doesnt mean you didnt l earn new skills, gain experience and deliver results, so dont fall into the trap of thinking experience doesnt count unless you received a salary.So, if youre a web designer who did unpaid work for friends, consider including Freelance Web Designer in your career history, and list the projects you worked on. If youre a stay-at home parent who assisted at your kids school or helped to run the PTA, you can show that as work experience. In summaryResume gaps are not necessarily a big liability, but they can still hurt your chances with some resume screeners. Thats why using one of these 3 easy strategies can make all the difference between being interviewed or ignored. Good luck

Bad bosses When the buck doesnt stop at the top

Bad bosses When the buck doesnt stop at the topBad bosses When the buck doesnt stop at the topIts leid always easy to read the signs that the person at the helm of the company is about to sink the ship. Once the wretched behavior becomes apparent and employees realize that theyve unwittingly signed on with a toxic boss, theyll have to weather some storms until they can find a way to part ways.Bad bosses at the top create an environment of anxiety and chaos. The stress and long hours of the typical workplace would be bad enough under normal circumstances, but theyre compounded under a command-and-control boss whose self-absorption, incivility and manipulative tactics take center stage.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAtrocious conduct at the top inevitably spreads throughout the organization and derails workers motivation and productivity. The result is a revolving door of demoral ized employees.Research shows that toxic bosses are the leading cause for employees quitting their jobs. But for a number of reasons, its not always easy to make a quick break. Until theyre able to land their next job, staff members must do their best to survive their unscrupulous and undisciplined boss. Theyll have to cultivate a combination of delicacy, dexterity, and determination.Here are some of the inappropriate behaviors that bad bosses display, and ways to cope until you can break free.1. Driven by egoTrue leaders are concerned most with whats best for the organization and the people in it. But your bosss me-centricity results in self-serving strategies and decisions driven by a need for ego enlargement. You realize that your boss often gets played because feigned praise or flattery lures him into making poor business decisions.Try to employ a bit of flattery of your own when you think it can move the boss toward an approach more aligned with the companys best interest. But be aya to follow up with smart tactics for solving the problem at hand (even if you know its not what the boss wants to hear).2. Turns on anyone who voices oppositionSkilled CEOs know how to assemble a reasonably stable and loyal staff who arent afraid to challenge their ideas or offer an opposing argument.Great leaders know that they alone dont have all the answers and they value each team members opinion. But when your boss displays a thin skin, perceiving any opposing suggestion or opinion as an attack, you know youre dealing with a bully. This boss reveres loyalty to herself above the purpose of the organization.Even though your boss goes off when shes been challenged, set an example by listening to others eintrag and giving it consideration.3. Has a scattershot approach to goalsAny boss worth his clout has a clear idea of what he wants the company to achieve, and hes able to articulate it to get buy-in and cooperation from his staff. But when you work under an unfocused, impuls ive micro-manager, youre faced with playing catch up each day with the bosss project de jour.You may have to stretch, but do your best to tie the latest venture into the companys overarching vision or framework.4. Doesnt take responsibilityWhen things go wrong, a boss with any measure of emotional intelligence will accept responsibility, understanding that she must own anything that happens on her watch.No one is perfect, and mistakes are part of learning and improving. But if your boss refuses to shoulder the blame and is intent on finding a culprit, show whomever the finger points to that you still have faith in the coworkers abilities.If youre the one whos assigned the blame, refrain from making excuses and dont bother trying to explain your side of the story to your uncaring boss. Vent to your keyboard and as soon as youre finished, drag the document to the trash. Never ever send it5. Plays fast and loose with the truthA CEO is expected to be the face and voice of the organizati on and, therefore, needs to be disciplined in what he communicates.Making extreme or off-the-cuff statements undermine the companys credibility. If your boss tends to make unfiltered pronouncements, especially any that alienate people or blur the truth, do your best to neutralize the ire of clients or customers. Seek to restore confidence, if not in the company, at least in you.Make it a point to answer your clients or customers calls and be a sympathetic sounding board for their fury.6. Name calling is over the topEffective leaders know to take the high road and they dont get into the gutter and call people names. Such behavior doesnt make the leader appear tough it makes him sound like a schoolyard bully. Insulting taunts and remarks are undeserving of an audience, even when they come from your superior.If the boss tries to engage you in his offensive banter, let him know youre not amused and walk away.- - - Traits associated with effective leadership humility, empathy, collabo ration, and uprightness will always attract followers. But conceit, a lack of integrity and blatant cruelty will zap employee allegiance and send good people running for the exits.Vicky Oliver is a leading career development expert and the multi-best-selling author of five books, including Bad Bosses, Crazy Coworkers Other Office Idiots, and 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions, named in the Top 10 list of Best Books for HR Interview Prep. She is a sought-after speaker and seminar presenter and a popular media source, having made over 901 appearances in broadcast, print, and online outlets. For more information, visit vickyoliver.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong peop le

Travel the world while designing clothes for a CEO - and her little dogs, too

Travel the world while designing clothes for a CEO - and her little dogs, tooTravel the world while designing clothes for a CEO - and her little dogs, tooImagine a fashionable CEO call her Jane is taking a years worth of trips around the world. First, Jane should take several Louis Vuitton trunks full of clothing no, scratch that. What shell actually want is her own personal designer, who will source material in whatever city shes in, and create a new outfit for her to wear at each hafen of call. But what about her two Pomeranians, who will naturally come with? Theyll need outfits, too made to measure, and match his mistresss, natch.You could be this designer the CEO is currently seeking a new couturier. Last week, Jane contacted Sewport, a garment-production platform, seeking help.I am a fashion-conscious CEO with a unique sense of style, that I love expressing, Jan wrote. To cut to the chase Im in need of a personal fashion designer, but I spend almost all my time traveling, w hether its for work or pleasure. Luckily I can afford the privilege of wearing a bespoke wardrobe, and I love knowing that no one else has clothes like mine, but because Im away a lot I need someone to travel with me.Some of the events that Jane the CEO (and her Poms) will need outfits for include the horse races in Dubai, and Wimbledon in England. Casual outfits will be needed for dinners with her family and friends (location unspecified).Of course, there may be a few red flags in this job listingThe pay is $52,000 paid in pounds, which may seem low for the amount of work involved (see above and below)The CEO readily admits that she had to let go of her last personal designer after repeated creative clashes and a loss of confidence in their ability.Still Besides gaining experience, there are perks food, accommodations, travel, design material, and tools that are all paid for.And come prepared to work As is the nature of my schedule, some weeks my designer may need to work 50-hour weeks, which I know is extensive, but others they will only need to work around 10, whilst still enjoying all the benefits of traveling the world.Sounds good? Great. Simply apply here.