Question about resume

[Calligirl]

If a person is switching careers and going into graphic design after years of working other jobs, for instance, in a dr's office or accounting or whatever, how much of that goes on the resume? Ignore it totally? Mention briefly so that prospective employers will know the person was in fact employed even though not in the graphics field?

One job qualification mentions "ability to communicate orally and in writing" and "able to interface with persons of authority" so working for a dr. would be a good example, wouldn't it? I just don't know how to include that so it doesn't look weird on paper.

Any ideas on how to handle this?

[Riya]

I have two different resumes. One has "experience" which is soley design related, and the other has "employment history", which has all of the random jobs I did working my way through college and since. I sent the first out to design firms and stuff and the second out to other businesses, because I needed a job, whether it was design related or not. I figured that design jobs wouldn't care that I spent last summer delivering pizzas and other employeers wouldn't care that I helped build a magazine from the ground up. It's all about the target audience.
As for the specifically mentioned job quailfications, you could probably include a blurb about that in your cover letter.

[MattCoops]

you got to think of how can i word the job duties of these other jobs to fit the needs of the job i'm applying for?

and use selective language

for instance,

if part of your job was taking inventory,
word it as:

Procured in development of asset management system

wow, that sounds interesting

under your job duties, start each with a verb (in past tense)

and make your verbage stand out from the rest

[MattCoops]

also,

you'll find as a newbie to the field that it will be extremely tough to get in with a design firm.

it will be hard to even get an appointment
let alone score the interview

try places like printing companies
advertising agencies
newspaper groups

these all need graphic designers
and pay well for them

[Ned]

try places like printing companies
advertising agencies
newspaper groups

these all need graphic designers
and pay well for them

Since when do publications and printers "pay well"?

They'll give you a job alright, but it won't be well paid. It'll feed you, and pay your rent if you're in low-income housing or something. Most importantly though - it'll give you MUCH NEEDED EXPERIENCE!

So although I don't agree about the pay, I do think it is a wise place to start. If you start off as a "production artist", which is an entry-level position, then you can choose to either branch off into pre-press or design. Either can be a rewarding career.

As far as what experience to put on your resume... That's tricky without knowing what experience you have. First of all, you have to make it relate. If you can't, then nix it - but of course, most jobs of any kind have some sort of relevent skills involved.
Yes, your resume should be targeted directly to the job you're after. If you're after a design position, your resume should ideally only have those directly related jobs. But if that's going to be a blank page, then I think you may need to add something, right? That's when you need to figure out how your other jobs can be related.

There is also something called a "skills-based" resume, which can be used instead of the traditional "chronological, past-employment" based resume. This can fall under the category of a "functional resume", and outlines the skills you have, then where you got them, rather than vice versa. (Just something you might want to look at... I'm not suggesting either or - I'm no resume expert. I have been paid by a number of people to design "creative resumes", but I am not a resume copywriter - I can refer you to one of those though, if that's what you need.)

[morea]

List the jobs and list your main responsibilities. A lot of skills are transferrable from one profession to another.

Check out this article: http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html

What does a good designer need to be able to do? Well, design is obvious, but I'd hazard a guess that your portfolio is going to show them that more than your resume.

Can you meet deadlines, work well with others, pay close attention to detail, and solvoblems? Are you dependable, honest, and organized? Do you have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn? These are very important qualities!

these all need graphic designers, and pay well for them

I have to disagree with that. They sure don't all pay well, though depending on your area, you may find some that do.

I would strongly recommend working at least part time for a print shop to get some experience... even if you can only work a few hours a week or a few Saturday mornings a month. The experience is invaluable! (It looks good to employers, too.)

There is some helpful resume information in this thread, scroll down to the section on resumes: http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7892

hope that helps some!

[PrintDriver]

It's very important you put something in there. Where have you been the last 6 to 10 years. If you don't some people think 'prison'. I took two years off of work to speed through a design course. The gap was one of the things a good person told me lost me a job offer.

I agree with the skills based resume. But don't go overboard on the verbage. If you took inventory, that's a responsibility. If you dealt with insurance companies, that's a skill.
No one is fooled by the overly pretentious explanations for "I answered phones". Some find it a put-off. Me for instance.

[MaryD]

I agree with Riya...you should put down on your resume- "experience" and "employment history". I did the same thing on my resume when I was looking for jobs after college. It took me a whole year to find a job, but during that time I pumped up my portfolio by doing freelance work. I noticed that it also helped to put under experience any freelance jobs that you may have worked on to gain experience in the graphic design field..etc. Just word your experice and employment history really well...thats the best bet on grabbing a future employer's attention. That and a kick ass resume design. Show them that you can not only design, but can work in an office enviroment, or manage people really well.....
Goodluck!

[tinmanton]

Well, a resume is sort of a marketing tool, something in which the details of your professionalism, your personal details and other things are stated. It's basically marketing yourself to potential employers/clients.
So how do you market yourself? It's actually studying or knowing the job/client as to what they want or need. I suggest you customize your resume according to what the job/client needs. Never put something that you never did. Just put there what you have and customize it well. For every job or client, there's a certain quality or skill that they are looking for. If you figure these things out early and nailed the right resume for the right job/client, then, most likely you'll get it. The key is on how well you can market yourself to the different needs of people. I myself have different kinds of resume for different types of industries. You research first on the company or client then you'll know what to put.
Communication is something that's very important in graphic design. You may not be that good yet in terms of skill but if you can deliver a very good tagline or a catchy headline, then that's something. If you have that then put it.
Just remember that in business, not everyone is in need of the same thing, specially when it comes to what the business is into and employment.