EXPERT ANSWER
Jan 07, 2020 - 01:04 PM
You may wonder if you should include your previous work history on your resume if it isn't relevant to the job you're applying to – especially if you worked in a different industry prior to college. The answer to this question is – it depends.
If you have no other experience, you need to include your experience, even if it may seem unrelated. It demonstrates your ability to hold a job and it shows that you were in fact employed.
The good news is, even with unrelated experience, you can often show common themes. For example, perhaps you're a good leader, or maybe you are a great communicator. These transferable skills may help you in your new role.
You may work at a university in a role that doesn't directly work with students but have a desire to work with students. If you are interested in working with other departments, be sure to play up your time at the university on your CV or resume.
In addition, if you worked in other industries before, such as human resources or in a call center, you may also want to highlight this experience. It may help you to show that you have experience working with many different people. Don't assume that just because you haven't worked with students before that your other experience is not relevant.
If you have no other experience, you need to include your experience, even if it may seem unrelated. It demonstrates your ability to hold a job and it shows that you were in fact employed.
The good news is, even with unrelated experience, you can often show common themes. For example, perhaps you're a good leader, or maybe you are a great communicator. These transferable skills may help you in your new role.
You may work at a university in a role that doesn't directly work with students but have a desire to work with students. If you are interested in working with other departments, be sure to play up your time at the university on your CV or resume.
In addition, if you worked in other industries before, such as human resources or in a call center, you may also want to highlight this experience. It may help you to show that you have experience working with many different people. Don't assume that just because you haven't worked with students before that your other experience is not relevant.
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