
EXPERT ANSWER
Apr 25, 2019 - 02:16 PM
If you look like a job hopper with no experience in a new career field and have ADA concerns, you can spin this on your resume by focusing on your skills and achievements rather than dates of employment or specific experience, and only mention your ADA concerns if they affect your ability to do the job.
Use the functional resume format rather than the reverse chronological format — the reverse chronological format will make you look like the Easter Bunny with all your job hopping. A functional resume draws attention to the skills, abilities, and achievements that you want front and center. For example, look at the required (and nice-to-have) skills listed in the job ad. Let's say an ability to multitask, cross-collaborative skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills are three of the top required skills for the job. You may have developed some of these skills in previous jobs that are unrelated to the new career field — this is what you want the employer to notice (not how many places you worked).
As for your ADA concerns, the American with Disabilities Act states that you don’t have to reveal anything to an employer and it’s best to first secure an interview and impress the employer – that will help diminish any concerns about your ability to do the job.
Use the functional resume format rather than the reverse chronological format — the reverse chronological format will make you look like the Easter Bunny with all your job hopping. A functional resume draws attention to the skills, abilities, and achievements that you want front and center. For example, look at the required (and nice-to-have) skills listed in the job ad. Let's say an ability to multitask, cross-collaborative skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills are three of the top required skills for the job. You may have developed some of these skills in previous jobs that are unrelated to the new career field — this is what you want the employer to notice (not how many places you worked).
As for your ADA concerns, the American with Disabilities Act states that you don’t have to reveal anything to an employer and it’s best to first secure an interview and impress the employer – that will help diminish any concerns about your ability to do the job.