Clarifying your Prior Employer's Business

by Carlos Gonzales - Mar 30, 2010

I wish I had a nickel for every resume I have read that forgets to tell me what ABC Company does. You might be asking, "I have never heard of ABC Company." My reply to your statement would be "That makes both of us."

As a headhunter who recruits and reads resumes covering the fields of architecture and engineering, I often make a judgment in a matter of seconds whether a candidate would be a good fit for a particular position. What truly is a shame is that when a resume fails to include a single sentence describing a previous employer's specialty, the candidate runs the risk of being eliminated from positions for which they could be eminently qualified.

Let's get back to the previously mentioned ABC Company. If this company is a manufacturer of hula-hoops, and I am looking for a Registered Architect with experience designing commercial buildings, then there is no great loss when the candidate's resume fails to explain ABC's specialty. But if I'm searching for someone with experience working in the toy and leisure field, then by not summarizing what ABC does on his or her resume, a candidate could be missing out on a potential dream job.

So what is the solution for keeping the person reviewing your resume interested or at least properly informed?

The answer is a single sentence that captures what your previous employer does or who their core audience is. What's even better is describing what the employer does in a manner that reveals how your experience meets the needs of the position for which you are applying. So if the hiring company has a long history of producing items that can move in a circular motion around one's waist, then please don't forget to mention ABC Company's signature line of hula-hoops.

Before

2000- 2004 ABC Company Minneapolis, MN
Job Title - position description

After

2000-2004 ABC Company Minneapolis, MN
America's leading manufacturer of hula-hoops and games.
Job Title- position description

Notice the description inserted on the second line in the "After" example above.

At the risk of hitting job seekers over the head with my point, don't assume everyone knows what ABC Company does. In fact you would be wise to look at your resume from the standpoint of someone that lives several states away and has no knowledge of your profession.

In summary, make sure your resume describes what your employer does and the key skills you bring to the desired job. In other words, it's important that your resume conveys the intended message. If this seems like too much work, then please don't send me your resume unless you include a nickel.

Courtesy of Job Search Information.