Page 131 - Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume

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Chapter 8 ➤ Step Three: Been There, Done That

Bonus Check
Remember Resume Commandment II: Thou shalt not confess (the Resume Command-
ments were listed in Chapter 3, “Winning Resume Wisdom”). In other words, you don’t
have to tell everything. Stick to what’s relevant and marketable. Rely on this command-
ment when resolving any issues with your Work History section.

A well-written resume uses dates to lead the employer to deduce
that you are the ideal age for the job you’re after, regardless of
your actual age. The following two sections show you how to
work with dates on your resume to create the ideal image.

Putting Your Younger Foot Forward
Terms of Employment
Sally, 35 years old, was applying for a job as a sales clerk in a cloth-
ing store that catered to young professional women. She thought Age discrimination works in
the employer was probably looking for a woman in her mid-20s two ways. An employer may
because the employer wanted someone who fit the image of the eliminate a job candidate
store and who wouldn’t expect wages as high as someone who had because he is too old or too
been in the field for many years. young.
To present herself as the ideal candidate, Sally decided to go back
only five years in the Work History on her resume, because the
employer would most likely

➤ Take 20 years of age as a starting point.
➤ Add the five years of work experience shown in her work history.
➤ Conclude that Sally was at least 25 years old.

Likewise, in her Education section, she stated her degree but did not give her graduation
date because doing so would give away her age.
The dates on Sally’s resume were all honest, they just didn’t tell all. In the interview, she
would have the opportunity to sell herself with her enthusiasm, professional manner, and
appropriate salary request and thereby fulfill the employer’s expectations of the ideal candi-
date.

Older Is Better

Sam is a new graduate who worked in his dad’s business all through high school and col-
lege. He was a remarkable achiever and was ready for more responsibility in the workforce
than most people his age. He applied for a position as a store manager, knowing that if he
could just get his foot in the door he could convince the owner he could handle the job.

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