What do you do when asked for a resumé when no such thing exists (see details)?

Question

This is not a matter of needing to get around to writing one; it's more that I have absolutely nothing to put on it.

I haven't had a job since I was a teen-ager. While decent (receptionist, researcher-HTMLer-designer of web sites, etc), they were temporary, and the skills and people associated with them are so old as to be useless.

I spent a lot of time in school, though never, after switching majors four times, got around to finishing a degree. I spent some years out of the country (and couldn't work where I was), and was quite sick for a few years. I haven't done any formal volunteer work; I belong to no organisations, and have no notable qualifications.

Creative suggestions encouraged...

The jobs are just a few things done for a few months at a time, almost fifteen years ago.

Answer 1

I'm in the same boat. My resume hasn't been updated in years before I've gottten my volunteer jobs. But any jobs that are temporary should be included in your resume. They're going to ask you on your background and for references. So before you go for the interview, put them in chronicle order. My temporary jobs were there as in volunteer for a PT teacher's aide, a PT volunteer as a hospital, a volunteer camp counselor, and a PT secretary's assistant. It's helpful.

Answer 2

You should start with a paragraph or bulleted list that outlines your strengths as an employee and what you are looking for in your new career.

Underneath that, I would still list the jobs that you had. Even if the skills are no longer relevant, you still held down a job! Try and write a small sentence for each one that highlights what you think to be a positive attribute an employer might look for.

You should definitely list your education, even if it is not completed! I went to school at night, while working and during that time I listed the school and just left off the dates of attendance. Nobody ever asked, and now that I've graduated I just leave it the same way.

Here is a website with some forms you might be able to use.

http://www.susanireland.com/resumeindex.htm

Also, Monster.com has a resume writing service that might be able to help you:

http://resume.monster.com/resume%5Fsamples/

If all else fails, you might want to go and talk to a headhunter/job placement agency to see what they recommend as far as content and format.

Answer 3

I would take the person suggest about the Skills Resume
here are resumes sites
www.rileyguide.com
www.susanireland.com

Answer 4

Use your life experience - international experience, schooling, etc. List them like jobs, include an objective, any kind of training you have had references from friends, your bank or landlord, a company you do business with a lot...

Answer 5

put down the job that u did when u were a teenager. this will help with getting the job ur applying for. also put stuff like if u were in any clubs while u were in school, if u were in band orchestra or chorus, (or general music) and/or put if u did stuff like girl scouts.
if u havnt done any of these, get started and get active in ur community.

Answer 6

You do what is called a Skills resume, where you point out your qualifications, not your work history.