Creating Resumes for Contract and
Temporary Positions
Looking to apply for a new contract or
temporary position but are unsure of how to create the right resume?
You’ll be happy to know that writing resumes for these types of positions
is not as difficult as you think.
The major difference between resumes
for temporary or contract work and those for permanent positions is
the need to more specifically focus on your accomplishments and
personality. Let’s explore some ways you can get this done.
“I’m a Quick
Learner” When applying for a temporary or contract position,
the prospective employer often expects you to arrive with some knowledge
of the work they do. And if you don’t have the knowledge, they hope that
you can learn it very quickly. Likewise, if you are a contract worker, you
may have your own business specializing in their field, which also means
that the employer probably will expect you to hit the ground running. So
how can you convince them that you are the right person for the job? One
way is by highlighting those responsibilities that showcase how flexible
and adaptable you are. For example, if you are applying for a temporary
clerical position, you might mention that in your four-week stint with
Anheuser-Busch, you supported both the sales and legal departments by
completing a variety of clerical tasks – then describe those tasks in
detail. This information lets them know that not only are you qualified to
take on a clerical position, but that you also can multitask under the
pressure of two departments and complete numerous projects within a short
period of time.
List the
Companies You’ve Worked For If you’ve been temping for a while,
it may feel natural to write down the names of any agencies that you’ve
worked with instead of the companies they’ve introduced you to. However,
it’s not a bad idea to list the companies, mainly because this is where
you’ve gained the experience you’re now trying to market to the
prospective employer. As a temporary worker, by telling them the companies
you’ve worked for, they can better determine what types of skills you’ve
acquired as well as the likelihood of you successfully completing their
projects. However, as a contractor you will not have this concern if you
make it a practice to approach companies on your own for work.
Show Them You
Can Fit In Another great way to get your foot in the door as a
temp or contractor is by convincing the prospective employer that you fit
into their organizational culture. Most times, this means making an effort
to research their company for information that will help you understand
their goals. By showing them that their goals and your skills and
accomplishments are well aligned, they are likely to develop the
impression that you will transition easily into their company and get the
job done with minimal training. Working a temporary or contract position
can provide you with a great opportunity to highlight how versatile,
adaptable, and truly talented you are. So let your resume showcase this
dynamic side of your personality when searching for your next short-term
position.
Written By
Heather Eagar |
Writers
Profile
Heather Eagar assistant@heathereagar.com
Heather Eagar is a
former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing
working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search
tools and information. Check out reviews of the top resume writing
services in the industry at
http://www.resumelines.com |
