Undesirable Resume Situations and How to Make Them Work

There are times that writing your resume makes you want to put down your pen and crawl under a rock. Unfortunately, this occurs when you are faced with situations that you would prefer not to reveal on your resume because you know at some point that they may have to be addressed during an interview.

If you know a professional who helps write resumes then you can get assistance. But if you're on your own, don't fret. There are some ways to make those situations appear a bit more appealing on the resume. So to help you out, let's look at some undesirable situations, as well as ways that you might overcome them.

1. So Many Jobs, So Little Time

If you're notorious for jumping from job to job within just a few months, this could look bad on your resume. Employers are typically uncomfortable with hiring workers that they think will skip out on them in a few months, so they tend to breeze past a resume that appears sketchy.

If you have this type of situation, it's good to not tell white lies like stretching out some employers and skipping over others. Instead, if you had a good reason for job hopping - like working temp jobs in the wake of the recession - then just explain it in your cover letter to make sure the employer has no unanswered questions to think about.

2. Sorry, I'm a One Firm Kind of Worker

Another undesirable resume situation is to have worked at only one job over a 25-year span. While on one hand this type of commitment shows loyalty, which is good to an employer, it also could represent a fear of getting out and trying something new.

A way to get around this is to highlight all of the different positions you held in the company. Be sure to note all of the title changes and, most importantly, note the major differences in your duties. Your resume needs to show growth and having been in the same company, this is probably the best way to show it.

3. Do Tons of College Classes Count as Experience?

Unfortunately, college students often have a difficult time writing their resumes because they have no work experience to list. While college classes don't count as work experience, you could list internships, part-time jobs and even volunteer opportunities that you've worked on. You could also list speeches and presentations you gave - anything to show that you were able to manage a responsibility.

4. I've Been Working Very Hard… Raising My Family

Another resume setback for many job seekers is the gap in employment. If you've taken a few years off to raise you family, this is incredibly commendable. However, the large gap in employment only leaves the employer to wonder why you didn't have a job during this time.

As with the job-hopper situation, the gap in employment requires explanation via your cover letter. If the employer needs more information, he can get it in the interview. At least you will have covered your bases by showing that your gap was indeed legitimate.

Now you see that there's no need to hide under a rock if you're writing a resume and must include undesirable situations. Instead, face the situations head on and show the employer that you're the full package, even if you have a few perceived flaws.