The Globe and Mail

The Globe and Mail - Report on Business - April 27, 1996

By: Camilla Cornell, Special to The Globe and Mail

Personal Affairs - Resumes

Michael Ross, an Executive Career Consultant with Resume Consultants Ltd., in Toronto says "You don't want to exaggerate, because it may come back to haunt you, but the way you write your resume -- the way you explain your work details, responsibilities and accomplishments -- can be a creative process."

How to put the most positive spin on your education, work experience and background without it getting you into trouble later? Haven't really earned a degree? Well don't claim you have -- but if you've studied at, say the University of Western Ontario's graduate business school, say so, says Mr. Ross, and list just the name of the school and the dates attended. If asked, you can later explain why you were a few credits short.

If you have been fired from a previous job, sometimes, the best alternative is to leave things off your resume. If you were dumped from a job you held for a year or less, Mr. Ross advises, don't even mention it. If you spent longer, you'll have to list it. But, Mr. Ross recommends, "instead of devoting four paragraphs to it, devote one." At the interview stage, there's a good chance you'll be asked why you left. "You'd be wise to tell them your side of things. If you've spent a number of years with the company, you probably made some contributions, and you should talk about them."

Gaps in your job history? If you've been out of the work force for a number of years, Mr. Ross recommends you draw up "a functional resume," which lists skills and accomplishments first and then previous work experience (as opposed to the more common reverse-chronological format, listing work first). Mr. Ross also recommends using a cover letter to explain gaps, stressing you're ready to focus on your career again. Also emphasize what you've done to keep up your skills. List programs you use on your home computer, courses you've taken, volunteer work or community awards.