by Carol Smith

Created on: August 28, 2008

You write a resume to tell a potential employer that you have the skills, abilities or experience necessary to do the job.

This can be hard if you feel that your previous experiences, at work or at school, were bad. somehow you need to overcome the idea of "bad" and focus on what you can do, not what you believe you cannot do.

Think hard about why are you applying for this particular job. Something inside you must feel that you can do the job. So ask yourself this - why are you applying for THIS job. It can help to get a friend or relative to ask you just that question. Get them to note down your answers. You have some personal qualities or interests or experiences that tell you this is the right job for you. Write them on your resume.

Imagine you have just been sacked from your job as an breakfast chef. That's not guaranteed to make you feel good about yourself. Try and be honest with yourself about why you were sacked. Was it because you never arrived at work on time? If so - you need to address the problem. If you feel you will never make early mornings - don't apply for a job that requires them. Maybe you were sacked because you didn't get along with the boss. This happens. Is this the first time this has happened? If it isn't maybe you would be better off applying for a job where you are the only chef? List your relevant skills and experiences as a chef, but avoid any negative references. Yes you were sacked. But along the way you gained experiences in cooking and serving a wide range of dishes using a range of techniques. Focus on these.

You may not want to state on your resume that you were sacked, but when your new employer applies for a reference they will probably find out. It will be helpfu if you can show that you understand the issues that led to your dismissal and are addressing them in a postive and constructive way.

You may feel that it is time to change work direction. If your experiences of doing a particular type of work are all bad, then maybe it is time for a change. You can turn this into a positive thing at interview. Focus on the skills you have relevant to the new type of work. Emphasise that you feel the time is right to develop these skills. Don't get negative and cross about the past. The potential employer won't want to employ you if you dwell on past negatives. Be positive about the future and moving forward. List your transferable skills. Emphasise your ability to work under pressure, or your ability to make decisions, your willingness to learn and attend courses.

You may feel that your school performance was bad. Maybe you were an underachiever or a school refuser. Is that relevant to your ability to do a job? Of course it isn't. You've grown up and matured since then. If your school grades were poor, leave them out of your resume altogether. Concentrate on listing your abilities, your hopes, your motivations. Be positive. The employer wants someone motivated, happy and hard working.

You CAN overcome bad school or work experiences. You have to believe in yourself. This will come across on your resume and then the employer will believe in you.

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