Reverse Chronological Resume Dates?

Question

I know that with a reverse chronological resume you are supposed to put your most recent work activity first. However, I'm in a tricky situation.

I worked at Job 1 from Aug-Nov 2004 and then again from May - Aug 2006. I worked at Job 2 May - Aug 2006 (yes, two jobs at the same time). I worked at Job 3 Jan 2005 - April 2006. I am now applying for a new job.

The job I'm applying for is totally unrelated to Job 1, but highly related to Jobs 2 & 3. I would like to list them in this order:

Job 2
May 2006 - August 2006

Job 3
Jan 2005 - April 2006

Job 1
August 2004 - November 2004 and May 2006 - August 2006

I want to put them in this order because it puts the most relevant experience first. However, it breaks from reverse chronological format. Do you think that's okay? The alternative would be to simply leave out the fact that I am currently working at Job 1 again.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Answer 1

You may want to lay out the Resume this way:

Related Work Experience:

Sonny's Car Emporium 2006
Sales Consultant Dallas, TX

Jim's Auto House 2006
Sales Team Member Dallas, TX

Then have a secondary title, called:

Other Work Experience

Daniel's House of Horrors 2005
Customer Service Representative Dallas, TX

This way, when the dates are not left aligned, they aren't as relevant, and you can put the important jobs ahead of the unrelated work!

Good luck in your resume writing

Answer 2

This should be ok.

You could also do a "functional resume" (I think that is what its called....or something like that...but someone will correct me if I am wrong.)

For that you list your "Experience" first but not by company, but by function.

For example:

Sales Experience: Responsible for generating $X million in sales....
Computer Skills:
Management Experience: Led Group of 10 employees.

Then after the functions, you list the companies you worked for and the dates.

That way you can put your relevent skills first, and the names of companies and dates second.

Good luck, I hope you get the job.

Answer 3

You need to develop a skills-based resume rather than one based on time... I'd eliminate those dates altogether (you can address those questions on a later application or during the interviewing process). I'd list my top position with the skills and abilities I had developed; I would list my achievements and all areas in which I exceeded expectations.
If you're really concerned about dates, just include the date you graduated from college or perhaps when you received specialized training.