The key element to writing a resume at any age and under any circumstances is to emphasize the positive things in your life and avoid the negative. That does not mean that you mislead or exaggerate facts, but it does mean that you focus on the things you can do rather than on the things you can't do.
The bad experiences you have encountered should not be put on your resume, but there are things that you learned throughout these experiences that are positive and could influence your resume. So, you need to focus on those positive things.
Take a sheet of paper and write down all the things that you learned, whether they are great or small, major or minor. List them down and when you're done, review them. Don't think about the bad experiences or things that were said between you and anyone else. But rather, concentrate on the positive things that you learned from the job.
When you're writing a resume there is a format that you need to follow and some insight you need to understand. Employers make their quick evaluation of each resume within the first eight to ten seconds. That means that whatever they read in that time is what they will use to decide if they want to interview you or not.
Therefore, you need to list positive things about your abilities right at the beginning so that you will catch their attention.
At the top of the resume in the letterhead, you would state your name on the top line and then your address, phone number and E-mail address below that. This lets the employer know whose resume they are reading.
Next, you want to put your career objective your purpose for wanting a job with this company. You would not say because the previous company did this or that unfair thing to you and so you quit. If you do, you'll never get a job.
Instead, say that you are making a career change and that you would like to work at this particular company because they offer a position to which you believe would help you in beginning your new career. State any previous history or qualification that you have obtained (even if it's years previous) that would benefit you in carrying out your new career choice.
Employers are not interested in your personal problems so don't mention them. If they sense that you have a lot of issues that will affect your job performance, they won't even consider you. Hold fast to the concept that you are making a career change so even if you're asked in an interview, the negative reasons would never come out of you, only positive prospects for a career change.
List your skills and qualifications and any special training or education you have received. These might not relate directly to the job you're applying for, but they earn you credibility in that you are willing to learn and apply your knowledge to your work.
You will need to list all your previous employment history. This includes the job that you worked at and where you had the bad experiences. If you don't list them, the new employer will wonder what you were doing during that time period and it could have negative results.
So, to overcome the possibility of getting a bad reference from that employer or supervisor or whoever was in charge that was part of your bad experience, list the job as required but don't list any of them as your references. Instead, if you know of someone in any kind of management position or status above your own who works or worked at that employment, list their name as your positive reference.
If you have any previous employment where you do have a good reputation and where you had better experiences, then list the majority of your references from that employer.
There are two ways that you can create new references for yourself. The first is to enlist in a college or training course that would relate to the type of work you're applying for. This would give you new references, new job insight education and a support for your career change.
The second way is to volunteer for a period of time at either a related line of work or for the community. Employers look favourably on employees who do volunteer work. Plus, it will show that you are serious about your career change and give you a positive report.
Remember, your resume is literally your qualifications, skills, training and work experience on paper that goes to the employer ahead of you. So, make it one that tells all about your positive characteristics and your positive career goal change.