Resume Formatting - hours worked and unemployment?? Forum

[v. dentata]

Hello all-

For my Hastings resume, which I am submitting in a matter of hours, I have to put my hours worked and explain my period of unemployment, but I am not sure how to format the resume with these included. Hours worked: do I incorporate this into my bullet-points, or put it somewhere next to the dates employed? Explanation of unemployment: do I add an addendum or stick it at the bottom of the resume? If anyone can post a link to a good sample resume with either of these things, that would be nice too. Thank you!!

[v. dentata]

Anyone?

[NayBoer]

They asked for hours worked? I just sent a normal resume. Sorry, not much help.

For the gap, I'd put what you did - travel, study, sickness, caregiver, pregnancy, stay at home mom, etc. What were you doing in the gap?

If the gaps occurred while in undergrad, I don't think it's necessary to explain that you weren't continuously employed. If they explicitly state otherwise, then ignore me.

[Bohemka]

I would write an addendum if you have a legit reason for the employment gap. That's what I did anyway. Though if it's something like traveling for a summer you could just put that directly on the resume.
As far as hours worked, I don't think it's too important where you put it. The bullets should be fine. Or maybe just work "full-time" " x hours per week" into the context of the job description.

[v. dentata]

Great, thank you!

[weaselology]

How long was the employment gap? I was unemployed for a few months, wrote no explanation whatsoever and I was accepted. If it's for only a few months, I don't think it matters much.

[Bohemka]

A couple of apps I came across asked for an explanation if the gap was 6 months or more. In my case it was almost a year so I just sent it to all the places I applied. And it was more like a leave of absence for reasons outside my control so I wanted to be sure to address it.
If it's just a few months I agree that it doesn't matter much and you probably shouldn't worry about writing an addendum.

[TheLuckyOne]

How long was the employment gap? I was unemployed for a few months, wrote no explanation whatsoever and I was accepted. If it's for only a few months, I don't think it matters much.

^This.


Officially up to half a year is not considered a gap...

[existenz]

If you really didn't work at all for a period of six months, then you should give them an idea of what you were doing at that time. Traveling, writing a book, whatever. I don't think they care that much, as long as you don't lie about holding jobs that you didn't have.

[Scurredsitless1]

My resume lists my professional work experience and I expanded on those jobs. Below that, I listed "Other work experience", and listed other jobs I did, such as waiter, automotive service writer, and shit like that. I didn't list dates (for other jobs) and left the idea that caps were filled with the nonprofessional jobs. I had a strong cycle in regards to my numbers and I think my resume was the reason.

[v. dentata]

I was laid off in October 2008 and didn't find a job until August 2009, so it was about 9 months or so. For your reference, this is what I decided to write on a separate page attached to my resume (I'm the original poster):

Header:
Name (LSAC #)
Resume Addendum

Body:
ADDENDUM REGARDING UNEMPLOYMENT [text centered and bolded]

November 2008 – July 2009: Upon moving back to the [location] in January, I searched for employment on a daily basis and met with employers at least twice per month. I also researched volunteer organizations and available positions for the purpose of making a long-term commitment to one or more. I chose the [volunteer organization] in May, and training began in August. I engaged in daily independent research on various subjects and current events. Lastly, I used this time to attend therapy and practice techniques and assignments that would allow me to effectively manage my anxiety disorder.


For the hours, I put them at the end of my last bullet-point, same line if possible. I do not bullet-point them individually. They read like this:

(job) month year - month year
(firm, city, state)
• Perform duties of legal assistant for three attorneys specializing in bankruptcy, family law, probate, and personal injury. 35 – 40 hours per week.

I hope that helps anyone who had the same question as me!