As a resume writer you tend to run up against the same issues on a regular basis. One of the most common challenges is working with a client who has a very diverse background, or who has taken a career detour.
This is perfectly possible to address, but every now and then, I work with a client who truly believes that all those experiences are equally valuable in getting their next job. Sometimes, it’s hard for this person to accept that the year they spent teaching scuba diving won’t help them in their quest to secure a marketing role.
“I learned how to deal with adversity,” they’ll say, “and I had to fend for myself in a new culture. Surely that’s valuable?”
Perhaps it should be, but it’s not.
The dirty little secret about recruiting
Here’s the thing: I’ve managed recruiting in the past and the truth is that when you’re filling a new position, you’re not necessarily looking for the best candidate. You’re looking for the least risky candidate.
