2020 has changed a lot of things about…a lot of things; millions of Americans have found themselves laid off or furloughed for (possibly) the first time in their lives. If you find yourself in that position, it can be comforting to know you’re not alone, but even still, something that shocking can feel like a huge blow. Depending on what happens after, you may decide to spend some time away from the working world or take up multiple part-time jobs. You may be questioning, when things get into a rhythm again, what is the best way to format this time in your professional life on your resume.
Well, the good news is not a lot has to change, so let us review how to format your resume to show how you spent your time:
The more professionally you are able to present yourself, the more desirable of a candidate you will be.
If You Were Furloughed
When you are furloughed, technically, you are still employed, so even if you were furloughed in March 2020, your resume should still reflect a date of employment that lists “present”.
See an example below:
ABC Company October 2017 – Present
Sales Associate
- Ring customers at the registers and process cash and credit card transactions
- Assist customers on the sales floor and in the fitting rooms
- Upsell additional items to drive the store’s sales
Pro Tip: It can be helpful to identify that you were furloughed on your resume, but it isn’t necessary. That’s often a topic best left for a discussion in the interview room, anyway.
If You Are Working Multiple Jobs Simultaneously
Here is where resume formatting can get a bit tricky. Let’s say you were furloughed and you decided to pick up a part-time or temporary job at a local grocery store and you want to include that on your resume. You’re technically employed with two companies, so how do you communicate this on a resume? Which comes first?
Well, the rule of thumb is to list your newest jobs first based on your start date. So, in the example I gave it would be:
XYZ Grocery Store April 2017 – Present
Cashier
- Ring customers grocery items and place in correct bags
- Scan customer coupons and ensure discounts rang correctly
ABC Company October 2017 – Present
Sales Associate
- Ring customers at the registers and process cash and credit card transactions
- Assist customers on the sales floor and in the fitting rooms
- Upsell additional items to drive the store’s sales
So, what if you weren’t furloughed and are just someone who has multiple jobs or side hustle? The same rule applies: List jobs chronologically by start date, newest first, and work your way back from there.
Why is this the gold standard?
It’s because your resume should tell a story and stories are much easier to read/understand when they are told in chronological order. When it comes to your professional experience, usually the most relevant information will be your most recent.
If you’re thinking of not listing your part-time job because you don’t want a prospective employer to feel that’s more important than your time with ABC Company, think again. It’ says quite a bit about who you are as a professional that you picked up a job while you waited to return your furloughed job.
If You Were Laid Off
If your company downsized or position was eliminated and you found yourself laid off, it might be a bit worrisome to list this on your resume. Try not to stress about an employment gap when you are updating your resume. Much like being furloughed, this can (and will) be covered during the interview.
When you are listing your employment for a position where a layoff occurred, make sure you add an end date. Unlike a furlough, a lay off is definite. Using the same example company from above, your employment entry may look something like:
ABC Company October 2017 – March 2020
Sales Associate
- Ring customers at the registers and process cash and credit card transactions
- Assist customers on the sales floor and in the fitting rooms
- Upsell additional items to drive the store’s sales
Just like with a furloughed listing, you don’t have to do anything fancy, like stating “ABC Company (laid off)” because, again, you will discuss it in your interview!
And That’s It!
Not too bad, right? Didn’t think so!
We all know that COVID-19 has changed a lot of things in the world, and we’re all figuring out this new normal. But one thing that hasn’t changed is that the more professionally you are able to present yourself, the more desirable of a candidate you will be to employers. Effective resume writing is a big factor that goes into letting a hiring manager know what kind of professional you are.
If you’re ever in doubt, or you don’t know where to start, feel free to reach out to one of the Client Managers at Bridge; we’re always happy to help!