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Is it better to have your resume demonstrate a variety of skills or great skill in the specific career you are pursuing?
I'm not entirely sure what career I want to end up in, but I have interests in working in theater(preferably backstage). So I was wondering if it helps to gear your resume towards the specific career you are working towards at that moment, or demonstrate a variety of skills you have accumulated over many different experiences. #career-paths #resume
4 answers
Jared Chung
CareerVillage.org TeamJared’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
As someone who has hired a variety of people for a variety of jobs, I can say that my answer is that you should always strive to tailor your resume for the specific job you're applying for wherever possible. If you want me (the hiring manager) to want to hire you, the majority of your resume should ideally be appealing to me. Does that mean you need to write each resume from scratch? No way - that would be unreasonable. But I'd always prefer to see a resume that applies to the job I'm hiring for than to see a very generic resume. If you don't have a lot of relevant experience, then all you can do is show a broad set of experiences, and then try to convince me that your broad set of experiences indicates that you're a fast learner.
At the end of the day, if I have 20 resumes in front of me, I've got to pick people to interview based on something. Usually I'm going to make that decision based on how relevant that resume is to the job requirements, and how impressive the achievements on that resume sound.
Thank you for the information. It's very good to keep in mind
Tommaso Deserti
Tommaso’s Answer
When you build your resume you want to make sure you highlight your skills for what they are.
Of course if you are an exceptional baker and you are applying for a job at the bank, that skill would not probably matter a lot during your job interview.
One of the trickiest question at job interview though can be "what do you like to do in your free time?".
The reason why they ask you that is because in 30 minutes they are trying to understand who you are and knowing what do you like to do in your spare time says a lot about you.
Here is where your overall skills can make a difference.
In your specific case you can work in theater/backstage probably you want to highlight your ability to work in team as well as the fact that you like to do sports to keep yourself in shape or listen to a lot of music as a hobby.
During a job interview/on resume, you are selling yourself so you want to make yourself look good but never lie or it will come back to you.
Tracy McNeilly
Tracy’s Answer
Yes, A resume that is targeted toward the position you are applying for is important. You can easily have one or two things that you modify based upon the job requirements (i.e, you volunteered at the Human Society for a position at a charitable organization or animal handling role). But it is equally important to highlight a well rounded life. This is especially true for those of you who don't have a lengthy resume of work experience. How do your passions tie into your career objectives? Are you a 4.0 student but have no outside activities? Have you loaded up on all of the extra-curriculars (Honor Society, student athlete, President of your class) but can't speak passionately about any of the work you did for these groups? Demonstrate your drive and enthusiasm - that will help set you apart. For example "..as a varsity track athlete I organized a 1 mile fun run for kids with disabilities...." In this example, your athletics, your leadership, your sense of community - are all shown in one example!
Gina Cabrera
Gina’s Answer
1. Tailoring your resume towards a specific career: If you have a clear idea of the career you are pursuing, such as working backstage in theater, it can be beneficial to focus your resume on relevant experiences, skills, and accomplishments related to that field. Highlighting your specific expertise and knowledge in theater production, technical skills, and relevant experiences can demonstrate your commitment and suitability for roles in that industry.
2. Demonstrating a variety of skills and experiences: If you are still exploring different career options or have a diverse range of interests, showcasing a variety of skills and experiences can be advantageous. This approach can demonstrate your versatility, adaptability, and ability to transfer skills across different industries or roles. Emphasize transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and organizational abilities that are valuable in many professions.
Consider the following tips to strike a balance between these approaches:
a. Customize your resume: Tailor your resume for each specific job application. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position you are applying for, while still showcasing your broader skill set.
b. Create sections: Organize your resume into sections that highlight both your specific theater-related experiences and your transferable skills. This way, you can showcase your expertise in theater while also demonstrating your versatility.
c. Include a summary or objective statement: Use a summary or objective statement at the beginning of your resume to briefly highlight your career goals and interests. This can help employers understand your focus and intentions.
d. Highlight relevant coursework or training: If you are pursuing a specific career path, include relevant coursework or training you have completed that is directly related to that field. This can demonstrate your commitment to learning and developing the necessary skills.
e. Emphasize accomplishments: Regardless of the approach you take, focus on highlighting your accomplishments and the impact you have made in your various experiences. This can help employers see the value you bring to the table, regardless of the specific career path.
Remember, your resume is a dynamic document that can be tailored to different opportunities. As you gain more clarity about your career goals, you can adjust and refine your resume accordingly. It's also important to continue gaining relevant experiences and skills through internships, volunteering, or part-time jobs in the theater industry to further strengthen your resume and increase your chances of success in that field.