In November, I participated in a career development program offered through my university alumni association.
The process was fruitful in that it helped me to identify not one, or even two, but six or seven different possible career paths to research.
Dusting Off the CV
As the career development program wraps up, one of the next steps is getting my resume in order.
I’ve kept it pretty up-to-date. I was, after all, sending off dozens of resumes earlier in the year.
However, they all went off into the void and nary a one brought much of a response.
Since March, my resume has sat undisturbed and largely unthoughtof.
Resume Blues
There are a couple of reasons I think my resume wasn’t getting much attention back when I was applying to jobs.
The first is unavoidable and can’t really be changed: I haven’t worked a desk job since 2014.
That’s not to say I haven’t worked, but it takes some doing to spin the work I’ve done into strong CV points.
The second reason is that my CV is a bit all over the place. Literally and figuratively.
I’ve worked and studied in all kinds of places. And I’ve done a little of this and a little of that. Potential employers may look at my CV and see someone who doesn’t really have a focus. They might wonder if I’m really all that interested in their company or their job offering.
Fair enough.
A Resume Tells a Story
In the end, your CV tells your story. And if you’re not really sure about how you want your story to go, that comes across when discerning recruiters read your resume.
I think that’s what’s happening with mine. I don’t know what my story is.
Sure, I’ve done lots of things and been in lots of places. I have qualifications and valuable skills. But does my CV show how I have use those skills in a coherent “story line”? Am I making it clear that the job I’m applying for is the logical next chapter?
Time to Write
The next step in my career development path is to research and write.
I need to research the potential career paths I’ve identified, and then write my story so that my chosen path (or paths, because I’m sure there’s not just one) fits in as the next chapter.
Not to mention reaching out and doing some networking!
All this does need to happen. But when? When will I have the time? I seem to have the time to write on my blog, so I ought to find the time to do this.
Honestly, I am kind of letting the pandemic and the fact that the kids are home act as a barrier to action. Perhaps I can make it my new year’s resolution to shake off that mental barrier.