by Bruno Somerset

Created on: September 15, 2008

Many of us have, at some point, encountered a rough stretch when it comes to our job history. Especially during the early part of their working lives several job changes are not uncommon as a person seeks the career path or field that fits them best. This can result in thinking that you can't put together a solid resume, which is definitely not the case.

As with all resumes, the main goal is to get you an interview; a resume is usually your one chance to make enough of an impression for a hiring manager to want to talk further with you. Where people with less than stellar work histories make a mistake is in thinking that negative experience should be included on a resume. It shouldn't.

Even if you've been fired from your most recent job, never put that information on your resume. Your actual work experience shouldn't be brought up until you actually have an interview (at the least your reason for leaving previous jobs is usually required on the company's employment application), but getting through the door is the first objective. Therefore, let's review the standard resume format with some specifics for those of you with a sketchy work history:

1. Contact Information. This is a critical section that is often overlooked. I can't count the number of people over the years that have sent in resumes with incorrect or missing contact information. Sometime it's simply a case of not updating an address after a move, but the result is the same; no matter how good you look on paper, it doesn't matter if the hiring manager or Human Resources representative has no way to contact you.

Always include your name, current home address, e-mail address, and at least two contact phone numbers, preferably home and cell. If you include your e-mail address, be sure to check it daily. If your resume is longer than one page put your name and phone number in the top right corner of the second page in case the pages get separated.

2. Objective Statement. An objective describes the type of work or specific position you are seeking; it should also tell the prospective employer what you are offering them. Avoid general phrases such as "challenging and rewarding career" and "potential for growth" which don't tell the reader anything anyway.

3. Experience: Your prior work experience is the most important section of your resume, and if you don't have good past experience you will have to get creative without lying. List your current or most recent company first, along with dates of service (the

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