Hey beautiful people!

Over the past three months I was sending my resume non-stop and if you know what it is like applying for job after job, application after application, you know it is a very tiring job. It would be wonderful if there was this universal application for every job and if there are job specific questions, then add that as a supplemental. I was exhausted with applying for jobs and would slack off due to needing a mental break. But one thing that I realized was that I was not getting many call backs. I probably applied for 500 jobs and been on 12 interviews which is pretty good I hear.

I was getting very discouraged because I thought with my credentials, I would have gotten a job quickly. I had a Masters Degree, Bachelors, and seven years of great, professional working experience in my field. Plus, I was an amazing person!!! I was so confused on why they would not give me an interview.

I applied to places like Starbucks, entry level positions to At&T and State Farm, and many other entry level positions because the real jobs that I wanted, they were looking for people with 10+ years of experience and certifications. I was shocked when I saw positions for a Director at a youth organization and the job was full-time, you had to have years of experience plus a minimum of a Bachelors degree. I kept reading and saw the pay was $10 an hour, I was in shock. I began calculating my living expenses, my car note and insurance, expensive phone bill and how much I paid to get an education and I was like I really can’t.

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When I thought about those things, I began to think, should I dumb down my resume? I was about to remove my Masters degree and in applications lower my salary at my job previously. I was getting nervous and needed a job.

I went to a few staffing agencies, and they kept trying to play me offering me jobs that I had no interest in, with little pay and not responding to me. I was getting frustrated because my funds started dwindling and I had bills to pay. I had done a few interviews and was praying to God that it would be the last round and that one of them would be it. I had plans to go and apply to hotels and even fast food joints to get me through.

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I kept thinking though, should I dumb down my resume to get something. I knew that I was starting over so why not. But it just wasn’t sitting right with me for these reasons:

5 Reasons NOT to Dumb Down Your Resume

1. You worked really hard to get where you are, all of those hours, your commitment, your boldness is awesome and it has been your foundation. You said yes to many extra tasks, you connected well and built relationships, you are just an amazing worker and any company would love to have you. So keep it on there.
2. You paid a lot of money and others invested a lot into you as well- did you have to pay for school or did someone give you a scholarship? That was an investment so that you can stick out of the crowd, so that you can be set apart. Degrees are expensive and Sallie Mae aint taking no excuses. I wonder if I will ever pay off all my student loans? But, we paid a lot to bring extra knowledge to any organization, it shows that we are serious about our careers and life. So keep it on there!
3. Dumbing down is not the same as scaling back– so yes, you may want to not put all of your jobs that you have had, just the ones that could be geared to that specific role. You may not need such an extensive objective or summary statement. You may not want to add all of your awards, that is for Linked In. You may not want to add all of your volunteer work. Two pages or less is good for a resume. Dumbing down, removal of certain tasks and roles or degrees should not be eliminated. Unless it was 40 years ago when you earned that degree. That is why continuous education is good and to add those certifications on your resume. Keep that part on there.
4. You may miss out on other opportunities with the company– Say you do remove your Masters degree and certain tasks, you get hired at a job for an entry level position and all of a sudden a higher position comes available that you would be perfect for, you might not be able to remedy that later on. So keep it on there.
5. Take the rejection as a compliment and a favor-So they may think you are overqualified or they may see you may not really be interested in the job, they are saving you as well as them. It cost a lot to hire a new employee especially when they start and then quit in three months. But also you, it might be difficult for you to start a job and realize you really are not interested and something better fitting is available but now you are working and cannot take the interview. Thinking about it, I would rather someone not take me knowing my skills and talents and offer me something way below what I think is a fair price.

Those are just a few reasons to not dumb down your resume.

What are some of the things you omitted or added to set you apart when applying for jobs? What is some advice or questions you have on the job search process?

Check out The Muse, which offers a job board and tips on getting the job you want!

Stay tuned for next weeks Job Search Tips on relocating with out a job secured.

Please comment below and share! Thank you.

Peace and Blessings,
CicelyRenee

Hopefully this can be my testimony one day….