How to Deal
Resume Should Reflect Job Progression
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Tuesday, September 9, 2008; 2:25 PM
I've been promoted twice in the past year, but I've essentially done the same work. How should I reflect this on my resume to show both a progression in position and responsibility? Essentially, I've been working at a higher level, and my responsibilities are just now starting to catch up with my title.
On the one hand, you do not want to make it look like your promotions have been meaningless. On the other hand, you don't want to shortchange yourself if you have really been working at a higher level from the very start. The trick here is to be able to demonstrate a clear difference in the seniority of your positions that does not also detract from your contributions.
In order to accomplish this, you are going to need to engage in a bit of self-restraint and historical revisionism. In composing your resume entry regarding the position into which you were hired, draw upon the job description. Similarly, describe the duties associated with Promotion #1 by consulting any documentary evidence of your supervisor's heightened expectations. Surely you were provided with a note of some sort confirming your change of title and your presumptive change in responsibilities. Finally, describe the duties of Promotion #2 in terms of the work that you actually find yourself doing today.
That was your first draft. If you read over the descriptions of your two earlier titles and they sound elementary or uninspiring, go ahead and punch up the language with a sprinkling of the advanced work that you have been performing all along. Bring it all to life by using your cover letter to describe specific noteworthy accomplishments that reflect the significance of your value to the organization.
The first sentence in the second paragraph of your cover letter should be, "I have been promoted twice in the past year." In a way, that says it all. Then, all that you need to do is explain why.
Join Lily Garcia on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. ET for How to Deal Live.
Lily Garcia has offered employment law and human resources advice to companies of all sizes for more than 10 years. To submit a question, e-mail HRadvice@washingtonpost.com. We reserve the right to edit submitted questions for length and clarity and cannot guarantee that all questions will be answered.
