Today I condensed eleven pages of information into two pages and created a rough draft of my Curriculum Vitae. This is a new word for me. The last time I looked for work it was called a Resume. It has been over 25 years since I needed anything remotely resembling a resume. I have been an entrepreneur most of my adult life and, aside from my first real estate interview, never needed a piece of paper showing my qualifications.
A resume tells you what jobs you have had. This is helpful if you are looking for the same type of job but it doesn’t really do you much good if you are switching fields. A curriculum vitae outlines your skills, skills that you may have learned from your job, from classes, or from volunteer positions. These skills can be matched up to positions you have never held, but are qualified for. Employers don’t care what you’ve done, they care what you can do for them.
Next step, a new professional photograph. Adding a photo will help whoever is sorting for prospects to put a face to the facts. Since I have been in the same town for years, it may also help that person recognize me which can give me an advantage over other applicants.
The process of my career change is well underway. I am looking forward to the opportunities and to observe the unfolding of this new adventure.