Prove your good job material by marketing

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Dear Joan:
A year has passed since I graduated from college. In this past year I have held three jobs, the longest being three months. Two of the positions I have been terminated from and one laid-off.

All three of the employers said that I did a fine job, but could not keep me on staff due to financial problems. Each of my past supervisors even offered to give me good referrals. Yet, as a young professional, I am worried about the image one might assume by looking at my past work experience. How do you feel a potential employer would perceive this on a resume? And if the perception would be poor, how could I remedy this?

Answer:
If you were married three times in a year and looking for a fourth, potential spouses would be wary. Even if you had good reasons for your prior break-ups, they would still need convincing...you are right to be worried. As a young person just starting out, you need to prove you're really a competent guy just looking for a stable relationship.

There are some things in your favor. The economy has played a big role in most employer's lives and they are more likely to be empathetic toward someone in your situation than they might have been in the past. Also, you have been a good employee when you were employed-and your former bosses are willing to support that claim.

One of your biggest challenges is getting in the door. If you use a standard, chronological resume you will probably be screened out immediately. You will look like a job-hopper with big problems, unless you do some strategic self-marketing.

Instead of a standard resume, why not try a few different strategies and see which ones get the best results? First, take your bosses up on their offer to refer you to other people. This personal introduction (and explanation) will remove many obstacles.

In addition, ask each of them to write a recommendation letter that details how well you performed as well as the reason you were let go. Ask them if they would be willing to include something such as, "We were very sorry to see Paul go, but our financial condition made it necessary to eliminate several positions. I would be happy to discuss his excellent performance with any employer." Although letters of recommendation aren't usually attached to a resume, in your case, it may not be a bad idea.

Another approach to try is the marketing letter. This is a combination resume/cover letter. It will be addressed to the decision-maker and will give examples of your results (use bullet points, just like you would on a resume). Also, comfort a prospective employer about your recent work history by saying something such as, "Over the past year, the economy has caused the elimination of several jobs I have held. My employers have said my work is "outstanding" and that I am a "fast learner" and they have offered to assist me in my job search (see attached letters)."

The beauty of a marketing letter is that you can include the information you choose and eliminate the rest. In your case, don't focus on each job; rather, put the emphasis on what you accomplished. Leave out the dates and even the company names if you want to. The point is, you need to show them what you can do and then close by telling them you will follow up with a phone call.

Finally, prepare a functional resume for jobs, which require a resume. Along the left side of the page, list the skill categories you have. Opposite each category, write the results you achieved in that area. Leave off dates. At the bottom of this work experience section, list the company names (and titles you had, if appropriate).

The most important thing you can do is to use your former bosses to help you network with potential employers. If you aren't having any luck finding a full-time job, propose a part-time or even a free-lance temporary project arrangement. Often these can turn into full-time jobs, once they see you are someone with whom they want a long-term relationship.