More and more people have temporary, contract, or seasonal work in their background – in addition to full-time positions. When it comes to your resume, how do you deal with all this experience? Should you list every job and temp assignment, creating a longer, two-page resume? Or, should you simply include the most relevant work? Here’s what to know to write a resume that gets results.
How Many Pages Should Your Resume Have?
Customized resumes work best
If you have a long list of assignments and don’t know where to begin, consider only including the most relevant ones. Tailoring your resume in this way will make it focused and easier for the hiring manager to read. When you’re writing your resume, think about what experience would make you most appealing to a particular employer. Then cut out anything that isn’t related.
Quantifiable data will strengthen your resume
Another key to a strong resume is to include details about your track record, including numbers that showcase your accomplishments. For instance, rather than simply stating “answered phone calls and greeted customers,” write “Answered approximately 30 phone calls each day, while also juggling welcoming 10-20 in-person guests.”
Use keywords from the job description
Today’s employers often use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. These rely on keywords to filter out weak candidates and locate the best-fit ones. This happens before a human sees your resume. As a result, your resume needs to be optimized for ATS software. To do that, check the job description for the most relevant keywords and make sure these are included in your resume.
Now that you know how to approach writing your resume, what is the best way to list your actual temporary experience? It depends. When you worked for one employment agency and had multiple assignments, you can group these all under the agency’s name, like the following:
ABC Employment Agency, Orlando, FL
April 2019 – May 2021
Contracted with the agency as a temporary customer service representative for several of their clients in the healthcare industry.
Customer Service Representative, XYZ Healthcare
April 2019 – September 2019
- Details of your tasks and accomplishments
Customer Service Representative, St. Mary Hospital
October 2019 – June 2020
- Details of your tasks and accomplishments
Customer Service Representative, Family Health Clinic
July 2020 – May 2021
- Details of your tasks and accomplishments
If, however, you worked with several employment agencies, then list each one individually, as your employer. Make sure to note that the positions you held were temporary in nature. If, however, you worked directly for a company and not through an agency, follow this sample:
ABC Hospital, Orlando, FL
Temporary Customer Service Representative
July 2020 – May 2021
- Details of your tasks and accomplishments
Also, don’t stress too much about whether to send a one- or two-page resume. A good rule of thumb to follow instead is if you have extensive experience and are looking for a step up in your career, then you’ll often need two pages to showcase your background. If, though, you’re in the beginning of your career, aim to keep your resume more concise – to one page.
Need more help with your resume or finding your next temp job?
At Future Force, we’re one of the leading temp agencies in Orlando, FL. We work with employers of all sizes in a wide range of industries, connecting them to skilled candidates like you. If you’d like to get your foot in the door with one of them, contact our team or search our jobs now.
