Stick to the Facts

A common mistake many young applicants make in trying to cover their inexperience is referring to what they liked and concentrated on in high school. Although this level of passion is great, it actually sheds more light on your inexperience in a glaring manner than if you concentrated on your education achievements and even your brief work history in as much detail as possible. This is much more relevant to the position you are interviewing for unless that position is a high school teacher !

On the flip side many older candidates refer to the year they graduated or “in 1985 when I worked for IBM”, as a reference point, many times this ages you and in a career and job environment which seeks younger talent and associates it with fresh and new ideas, you maybe doing your self a dis-service. Now of course if the point of reference is something specific which may highlight a current need, that maybe okay, but think, how much has changed since 1985 ! Would you want to leave a branding of an outdated candidate?

Remember the interview maybe unique to you, but to the interviewer, you maybe interview 26 and in hindsight your branding may set you apart in an ultra competitive environment.

Do yourself a favor and stick to the facts, not to the dates, you dont have to say that you started working for IBM in 1985, you can simply say, “I initial gained the experience when I worked with IBM, it was a rewarding experience.”

This allows you to elaborate on your resume without aging you and most employers will be more interested in what you learned, gained and are able to transmit back than when it was. If your experience is truly relevant then you would be able to relate the experiences and make it a home run for you, if you are not able to make the experience you gained there relevant in your conversation or in your mind, then it is random conversation which shift the focus of the interview !

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