| Dear Steve and Jon, I have taught math and science for 8 years and want to move into a commercial job as an inventory control analyst or purchasing agent. How should I structure my resume most effectively? Signed: Ready for a Career Change |
Dear Ready, Why have you chosen that field? What skills have you developed that will be useful in your new career? What are the qualities of a good inventory control analyst? The answers to those questions should help you with the wording in your resume. Emphasize how your past eight years have prepared you for your new career path. Above all, join a professional association covering your new industry, such as APICS the Association for Operations Management or the Institute for Supply Management, and include the membership on your resume to show that you are serious about your new discipline. |
Dear Ready, A functional resume would be your best bet. It must read ‘purchasing’ or ‘inventory control’ all the way through, with an equally consistent Objective statement. It should emphasize your Skills and Accomplishments as they can be related to the purchasing or inventory control job functions, i.e. examples of communication, organization, team participation, project management, quick learning, analytical problem solving, computer aptitude, etc. Show your Academic background. Your Experience paragraph will be a simple list of employers and dates. Leave out all the rest. |