Use Your Resume to Think About Your Life

Sometimes I meet with a person who says they are not happy with their life, but are not sure what they want/need to do differently. In many instances, I suggest they review their resume to think about their life - where they have been, where they are headed, and where they want to go. Many of us don't really think about those questions unless we feel our job is not secure or have decided we want a different job or line of work. I encourage my clients to review their resume every year or so, even if they don't anticipate conducting a job search. I also encourage them to create a historical resume.

When I talk about a historical resume, it is one document that includes every job you have ever had in life and at least a little information about what tasks you did and skills you used and preferably what values it met. It would also include volunteer work and other outside activities you really enjoyed or found satisfying. Most people I have worked with don't already have a historical resume, so they start one. For some folks that is a more difficult task because they have been working many, many years with changing responsibilities, or have had many different jobs over their working lives. Please keep in mind, a historical resume is for your reference only and is not shared with potential employers or recruiters.

It usually helps to start with where you are right now. If you are working, write down your job title or primary focus, the name of your employer, and a few statements about the work you are doing. Try to use as many action words/skill statements as you can in describing your job activities. Additionally, write down any outside activities that you are involved in. Also use skill statements in describing those activities and include values that are met in doing those activities. If you are not working right now, you should still write about any other activities you are involved in. This could be volunteer activities, things you do just for fun or socializing and things with the family. It can include hobbies, learning activities, physical activities, spiritual activities, travel, etc.

Generally it helps to write down what you can - without trying to form complete sentences. You may want to work on this over a few days - setting it aside from time to time to allow other thoughts/memories to come to mind. We'll address adding to your historical resume in the next post.

Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, preparing for a return to work or school, planning for retirement or non-retirement, coping with an empty nest or loss of job, and other life planning issues. She meets with individuals in person and via telephone helping to find solutions to problems related to life transitions. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information on her services.

To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.