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Should I leave my last every years blank on my resume and look for Contract Administrator or Business Analyst jobs in Houston?
I have a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance in UH on 2001. I had worked for City of Houston Contract Compliance Officer to Senior Contract Compliance Officer to Contract Administrator about 10 years from 2004 to 2014, I had a job interview for Business Analyst on 2016-2017, but I did not go to the job interview, because I was needed to take care of my mom in hospital, but within the last few years I was needed to go back Hong Kong for personal reasons and I was working on different bad jobs for Temp Part time and Temp Full time hospitals in Hong Kong. I have just come back Houston on Nov 2020. #business
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4 answers
Updated
Albert’s Answer
This is a good question regarding time gaps in your resume.
I see a lot of google searches for this and I will refer to one by Indeed.com
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/employment-gaps-on-resume
I think this quote from the piece sums it up well: "Generally, there are three places you should address gaps in your employment: your cover letter, your resume and during an interview if asked about it. While there are ways to minimize the appearance of employment gaps on your resume, it is still important for you to be honest and forthcoming in explaining gaps in your employment."
I personally would choose all relevant job experiences to put on your resume (i.e. 2004-2014) and leave non-relevant job experiences out of it. Feel free to explain any gaps in your cover letter or when you reach out to the recruiter/hiring manager.
I see a lot of google searches for this and I will refer to one by Indeed.com
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/employment-gaps-on-resume
I think this quote from the piece sums it up well: "Generally, there are three places you should address gaps in your employment: your cover letter, your resume and during an interview if asked about it. While there are ways to minimize the appearance of employment gaps on your resume, it is still important for you to be honest and forthcoming in explaining gaps in your employment."
I personally would choose all relevant job experiences to put on your resume (i.e. 2004-2014) and leave non-relevant job experiences out of it. Feel free to explain any gaps in your cover letter or when you reach out to the recruiter/hiring manager.
Updated
Alexei’s Answer
Hi Brian,
I will share my story with you.
It was over 9 years ago when I applied for a job at Cisco Systems (Data Analyst). I left a few blank spots on my resume. The interviewer and (later on my manager) asked me: "why do you have blank spots?" and I answered: "I did some things that are not related to this position"
She smiled and said: " It doesn't matter what you have been doing but Who You are. It's ok if you were a Janitor or had to Walk the dogs. If you were in a bad moment and you found a way to get through it, that's what matter"
In addition to this you can do some research (i.e. using LinkedIn) and review resumes of people who work at that company.
Hope this helps!
I will share my story with you.
It was over 9 years ago when I applied for a job at Cisco Systems (Data Analyst). I left a few blank spots on my resume. The interviewer and (later on my manager) asked me: "why do you have blank spots?" and I answered: "I did some things that are not related to this position"
She smiled and said: " It doesn't matter what you have been doing but Who You are. It's ok if you were a Janitor or had to Walk the dogs. If you were in a bad moment and you found a way to get through it, that's what matter"
In addition to this you can do some research (i.e. using LinkedIn) and review resumes of people who work at that company.
Hope this helps!
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Brian,
This is where a functional resume will come in handy. Rather than focusing on work history in reverse chronological order, you will pick 3-5 skills to highlight. At the bottom, you will list your work history. Hopefully by the time they get to that point, you will have already sold them. You can also work on creating an outstanding cover letter, where, without boasting about what you did, you can talk about the sacrifices made, and perhaps equate this to the level of dedication you will give to your next job.
Here is an example, with horrible formatting - I left margin justified it for purposes of pasting it here. The beauty of this format is it is very easy to rearrange the "professional skills" section, listing the most important skill first, as determined by reviewing the job announcement. Your resume is a marketing tool, and you can do many different things with it, to best market. . . YOU!! Let me know if you have any questions!
name
address/phone/email
QUALIFICATIONS
• Superb customer service skills derived from years of diverse human relations experiences.
• Outstanding research, writing, analytical and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong legal and procedural aptitude.
• Long term, consistent, above-average performer.
• Versatile, adaptable, and dedicated.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Interpersonal Skills
• Skillfully interact with persons of diverse cultures and emotional states.
• Provide positive reinforcement, feedback, and resource referrals to facilitate customer self-improvement.
• Enthusiastically provide exceptional customer service at every available opportunity.
• Tactfully interact with dignitaries, elected and appointed officials, and media personnel.
• Ability to identify and recommend alternative solutions.
Supervision and Leadership Skills
• Trained and evaluated new personnel.
• Frequently consulted by co-workers and supervisors to assist with interpreting laws and procedures, and drafting written documentation.
• Exercised flexibility in prioritizing and modifying operations, adjusting to unforeseen events.
• Participated in the Applicant Review Board, making hiring recommendations.
• Chaired and served on several committees.
Planning, Research, and Development Skills
• Created first Airport Police Officer Field Training Program.
• Drafted several procedures, including innovative approaches to problem resolution.
• Designed, compiled, and analyzed surveys.
• Wrote successful budget proposal for implementation of employee incentive program.
• Drafted revision of the airport ordinance, incorporating best practices of seventeen airports.
• Reviewed responses to Request For Proposals and recommended consultants.
• Completed all start-up documents for non-profit organization, including IRS forms.
Administrative Skills
• Maintained file room with 6500 active files: records retention and destruction.
• Data entry of security badge applications. Issued badges to approved personnel.
• Quality control review of files to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Received and disbursed funds for non-profit organization; prepared financial reports.
• Responsible for scheduling appointments, and documenting all customer interactions.
• Inventoried and organized several storage rooms; updated reference libraries.
• Maintained employee personnel files.
Technological Skills
• Proficient with MS Word and Excel, Internet, and e-mail applications.
• Assist customers in utilizing computer resource lab.
• Enter, retrieve, and update information in databases.
• Monitored CCTV, access control system, HVAC, fire, and security systems, multiple radio channels and telephone lines.
• Typing speed: 40 words per minute.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Workforce Development Specialist
Workforce Solutions-Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 10/2009 to present
Police Officer
City of San Antonio Aviation Department, San Antonio, Texas 4/1984-10/2008
• Personnel Identification Office 3/2008 -10/2008
• Acting Supervisor 12 months cumulative: 2003 and 1995
• Field Training Officer 1988 - 1992
• Dispatcher 1985 - 1989
EDUCATION
Paralegal Studies: Texas State University (9 hours) and San Antonio College (12 hours)
Bachelor of Arts: Sociology University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
Law Enforcement Academy Alamo Area Council of Governments, San Antonio, Texas
CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Tutor, Each One Teach One, San Antonio, March 2009-October 2009
Member, Employee-Management Committee, City of San Antonio 2005 - 2006
Secretary-Treasurer, San Antonio Airport Police Officers Association 2004 - 2005
AWARDS
American Society for Industrial Security, “Excellence in Law Enforcement Award,” 2006
This is where a functional resume will come in handy. Rather than focusing on work history in reverse chronological order, you will pick 3-5 skills to highlight. At the bottom, you will list your work history. Hopefully by the time they get to that point, you will have already sold them. You can also work on creating an outstanding cover letter, where, without boasting about what you did, you can talk about the sacrifices made, and perhaps equate this to the level of dedication you will give to your next job.
Here is an example, with horrible formatting - I left margin justified it for purposes of pasting it here. The beauty of this format is it is very easy to rearrange the "professional skills" section, listing the most important skill first, as determined by reviewing the job announcement. Your resume is a marketing tool, and you can do many different things with it, to best market. . . YOU!! Let me know if you have any questions!
name
address/phone/email
QUALIFICATIONS
• Superb customer service skills derived from years of diverse human relations experiences.
• Outstanding research, writing, analytical and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong legal and procedural aptitude.
• Long term, consistent, above-average performer.
• Versatile, adaptable, and dedicated.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Interpersonal Skills
• Skillfully interact with persons of diverse cultures and emotional states.
• Provide positive reinforcement, feedback, and resource referrals to facilitate customer self-improvement.
• Enthusiastically provide exceptional customer service at every available opportunity.
• Tactfully interact with dignitaries, elected and appointed officials, and media personnel.
• Ability to identify and recommend alternative solutions.
Supervision and Leadership Skills
• Trained and evaluated new personnel.
• Frequently consulted by co-workers and supervisors to assist with interpreting laws and procedures, and drafting written documentation.
• Exercised flexibility in prioritizing and modifying operations, adjusting to unforeseen events.
• Participated in the Applicant Review Board, making hiring recommendations.
• Chaired and served on several committees.
Planning, Research, and Development Skills
• Created first Airport Police Officer Field Training Program.
• Drafted several procedures, including innovative approaches to problem resolution.
• Designed, compiled, and analyzed surveys.
• Wrote successful budget proposal for implementation of employee incentive program.
• Drafted revision of the airport ordinance, incorporating best practices of seventeen airports.
• Reviewed responses to Request For Proposals and recommended consultants.
• Completed all start-up documents for non-profit organization, including IRS forms.
Administrative Skills
• Maintained file room with 6500 active files: records retention and destruction.
• Data entry of security badge applications. Issued badges to approved personnel.
• Quality control review of files to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Received and disbursed funds for non-profit organization; prepared financial reports.
• Responsible for scheduling appointments, and documenting all customer interactions.
• Inventoried and organized several storage rooms; updated reference libraries.
• Maintained employee personnel files.
Technological Skills
• Proficient with MS Word and Excel, Internet, and e-mail applications.
• Assist customers in utilizing computer resource lab.
• Enter, retrieve, and update information in databases.
• Monitored CCTV, access control system, HVAC, fire, and security systems, multiple radio channels and telephone lines.
• Typing speed: 40 words per minute.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Workforce Development Specialist
Workforce Solutions-Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 10/2009 to present
Police Officer
City of San Antonio Aviation Department, San Antonio, Texas 4/1984-10/2008
• Personnel Identification Office 3/2008 -10/2008
• Acting Supervisor 12 months cumulative: 2003 and 1995
• Field Training Officer 1988 - 1992
• Dispatcher 1985 - 1989
EDUCATION
Paralegal Studies: Texas State University (9 hours) and San Antonio College (12 hours)
Bachelor of Arts: Sociology University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
Law Enforcement Academy Alamo Area Council of Governments, San Antonio, Texas
CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Tutor, Each One Teach One, San Antonio, March 2009-October 2009
Member, Employee-Management Committee, City of San Antonio 2005 - 2006
Secretary-Treasurer, San Antonio Airport Police Officers Association 2004 - 2005
AWARDS
American Society for Industrial Security, “Excellence in Law Enforcement Award,” 2006
Updated
Tiffanie’s Answer
Hi Brian - this is all great information above. I also had a gap in my employment history when I stayed home to take care of my children. I think that good option is to include the gap on your resume and say - "cared for family" as your position. Right now with COVID we are seeing and hearing this more often in the market, it is not uncommon. I think employers would rather see an explanation up front.