5 Resume Tips for Job Hoppers

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I am 19 and I have had already quit 3 jobs Ive had. One I was working 12 hour shifts and I had convulsions along with a panic attack for the first time after my first shift. Is there any way to say that they didnt work out for a better reason other than I cant hack it. I had another job for six months and quit because I was bieng harrased by another employee after my grandmother died(literaly the next day he kept pushing me) and I was starting to have homicidal/suicidal thoughts. My other job I quit because of hours, and because I wasnt qualified to do the work I said I could. I dont want to keep taking jobs just to do it, I mean I really do wanna be HAPPY, SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE. I do have a job in the summers but that dosent help when Im about to be at the ymca emeergency center next week if I doint magically pull rent out of my @$$. I am about ready to start robbing old drug dealers I know, and doing anything to get money. If there is anybody out there who would care if there son or daughter is lost the way I am, please respond, and any info even if its truthfull(and hurts, but please no ragging, I do understand that I am a loser, no need to be an @$$ please) does help. Please help me, I dont know what Im doing.

Harry Potter of IL 4:37PM April 26, 2011

I am nearly 61 and was laid off several weeks ago. Even though employers are not "technically" allowed to descriminate because of age, I'm wondering if it would be beneficial leaving off dates of my working history on my resume.
I have a Master's in education, but I fear my age will be a negative factor for the job market.

Terry of IN 11:57AM October 30, 2009

Never forget, your cover letter can help to decrease any awkward questions in an interview. By touching base on short lived employment in the cover letter, you can easily push ahead with this new company by saying, "even though in the past I have worked at several places, I am dedicated and loyal and want to be there for this organization." This magic phrase works wonders and shows you are there for the long haul.

Karen of CA 2:45AM October 25, 2009

Unfortunately there, according to what you say, is nothing that you can do about your physical handicap, but I would myself have family or friends be brutally honest with me about if I seemed to come across to them as 'almost apologetic or less confident because of this physical attribute that I have.' (I hate saying disability or handicap because it is only those things if you "make" it one.) Sometimes we come across with a "chip" on the shoulder without realizing it. Try to get your mind OFF this attribute and focus only on being a cheerful, confident and fully qualified person for the job. Whatever you focus on will be what others focus on and only see. Let people see YOU (inside). Make others come away saying, that is the nicest person I've ever had the pleasure to meet. And this should apply to everyone. Our attitudes about ourselves does affect how others perceive us. Hope this helps somewhat. Buy yourself the best looking outfit to wear and do things to prepare that will help make you "feel" more confident about yourself and less focused on anything you perceive as a negative thing. People WILL focus on your attitude and confidence over anything physical that is beyond your control.

Rhonda of WV 10:53AM October 01, 2009

I understand where you are coming from and I respect you for going through the transitions that you have made to adjust to the situation. While work is scarce even for qualified applicants in any field, unskilled or unexperienced workers have even more trouble. I think, as the article states, your cover letter is essentially allowing employers to see you for who who are. If they read that before the resume, you may have a better chance at getting an interveiw. Instead of focusing on your job history in the cover letter, focus on your strong points as an employee. Do you show up early? Are you willing to work overtime? Are you willing to do work outstide your job specs? Some of these things employers prefer over someone who feels they deserve the job based on their education or qualifications. I am in the recruting business and nothing is more discouraging than seeing someone who is qualified for the job but when you meet them, they are complete pricks.
As for the "handicap" that you mention, I would not try and hide it at all. Come to the interview professionally dressed, well-groomed and confident. If you have these things, they aren't going to care about your handicap if your personality and positive attitude overshadow the other stuff.
One other point I recommend is be prepared to be denied jobs and interviews. It seems you have already been persistant and keep it up. There will be a job for you if you keep looking but if you give up, there will be none.
Good luck with the search and I hope things work out.

Brad 5:47PM September 29, 2009

So what do you do if all the places you used to work are out of business and long gone? How can the place you are trying to get a job with do any reference checks on past employers if they are all dead and gone? Not even the buildings I worked in are still standing. I have personal references, but they all have moved to other states and some out of the country so employers don't like having to call long distance numbers.
And what do you do if you've been out of work for two years? I got laid off two years ago and have never been able to find work, not even with McDonald's. I've lived off of unemployment for a while, but that ran out. Lived off of savings account but that ran out. Now I'm borrowing money to live off of and I'm moving to a cheaper place to live 400 miles away. I'll be in another state and worry that trying to find a job in another state with my lack of employment for two years and no decent job references or personal references is going to be a problem. I'm also an "older" worker but not old enough to get Social Security yet. I only have a high school diploma and going back to school right now is out of the question (for too many reason to list here). I also have a physical deformity that does not make me "handicapped" but is physically unattractive and puts some people off and it's not something I can hide with clothing. So I'm real worried I won't be able to get work. Does anyone have any good advice that can help me? Please, no smart alec answers, only serious good advice please. Thank you!

Michelle of CA 4:15PM September 29, 2009

I take exception to Craig's commentary for several reasons:
1) Most people do not have the luxury of sifting through numerous job offers.
2) While "putting out" more is good advice in a lot of cases
3) Performance metrics for employees in many fields are sketchy, at best. When the the of R.I.F. blow, many times the pee-ons get the pink slips.
Craig's point of being open and honest has always been my policy.

Albert Young of NJ 12:50PM September 29, 2009

Don't be shy. Play in your mind how this will go. Think of Q/A's on your way to the interveiw. Don't be late no matter what. Being ontime in a blizzard is a good sign. This is easier said that done but get plenty of rest the night before. Bad breath can be annoying. Shave,wear nice clothes. Appear eager to work. Act friendly,and easy to talk to. Shake hands and do a follow up phone a day or two at the most after the interveiw.Know the name of your interveiwer and use it. You are a lover of life let it show. good luck

don of MO 12:36PM September 29, 2009

This is all very bad advice! Almost all companies do background checks and are going to want to know the exact dates not just the years. So the person screening the resumes is going to either ask for the months or just disregard the resume completely. Also anyone who has a half a brain will notice that you are attempting to hide the short job lengths and will feel like you are trying to deceive them. Also Lumping together jobs or leaving jobs off a resume is another dishonest scam that will get you no where. Most people that are hiring managers or HR see hundreds of resumes a week and in a matter of seconds can see through the smoke and mirrors. If you have had a jumpy past the best thing you can do for your career is stay at a job longer and stop making frequent moves. If you having “bad luck” and have gotten laid-off several times then you need to be more selective in the places you decide to work. In many cases companies don’t lay-off their top performers so if you are finding your self constantly on the chopping block then you may need to put in a little extra work to become a part of your company’s top tier.

Craig of NJ 12:22PM September 29, 2009

I had a stellar resume until I was laid off permanently in 2005. As a stutterer, I realized that my salesmanship could never get me a permanent position. Moreover, when your a slow talker, your competence is always questioned. For my purposes, the temp way has been an invaluable lifeline because colleagues are more tolerant when you can demonstrate you know your stuff. If I tried to get a permanent full time position, I could not get through the "Spanish Inquisition". On the bright side, I make substantially more money. Moreover, while things are lean right now, things will turn and those companies who gave their perm employees the shaft will see a lot of me!!! Right now I'm on vacation resting up for my double time and a half OT. It's definitely not what I bargained for when I worked my butt off in college but c'est la vie...

Albert Young of NJ 12:21PM September 29, 2009