in
Forums
I am operations director at smallish software developer for the oil & gas industry and a part time retail inventory clerk at night. Can I list this second job on my resume?
Over a year ago, I started a evening part time job in retail for the computer company that "changes everything." My initial reasons for taking the job are nothing special, and it's actually a little relaxing to have a job that doesn't come home with me after I clock out. I've enjoyed being just a direct, and I've learned some things from my managers who at one time are actively on the sales floor managing 35 people and countless customers. At the same time I've learned a lot about the company, and I would like to apply for a position in their corporate office. I hope that combining what I've learned in their retail operations with my career experience (operations and project management) that I will be an enticing candidate.
But how would I list this experience on a resume? Holding two jobs concurrently, and one that pays a mere fraction of my salary range? I'm worried that I will give the impression that my day job is such a cake walk that I can pick all sorts of hobby or that I'm not a dedicated worker. Working two jobs is not easy at all, and I've had to scramble at times to make it work. As I recently became more interested in the company, the more I thought it
valuable to ride out the tough times. Any ideas?
You're selling it wrong
The resume question is a hard one for me - kind of an unusual situation. I think you need to list both, and you're going to need contacts internally to make a recommendation (everyone can use them, but this situation especially). I think the only real question here is what order do you put them in, and I would probably put the retail experience below your day job (it sounds like your day job is closer to the role you would expect to be applying for).
If and when you get an interview, I think it's a much easier deal. Your comments above focus on the negatives - Don't just frame this as a second job on the side. Tell them you are so interested in the company that you have been willing to spend your free time working for them to learn about the products and how they're sold. If they see that you love the company and products so much that you're willing to do anything to get in the door, it sends a powerful message. I would put something to that effect in the cover letter as well.
-jib
List both
List both jobs on your resume. The definite positive of being able to work two jobs outweighs the possible negative of being viewed as slightly unfocused.
Ever since my first miserable spell of unemployment in 2001, I've always held two jobs. I always will. If I were the managing partner of the biggest ad agency in the world, I'd still make time each Saturday for a few hours of part-time work. I refuse to put all my eggs in one basket. Usually, my second job takes the form of freelance design work or some light IT consulting, but there was also a period where I was unloading trucks and stocking shelves three nights per week. Even if my second job only brings in $400/month, it's money that helps me sleep at night, and it vastly increases the size and diversity of my network.
These days, my resume looks like this
[my name and contact info]
Current Employment
My full-time job. Sunnyvale, CA. Feb. 2011-Present
My part-time job. San Francisco, CA. Nov. 2001-Present*
Previous Employment
My previous job. Boston, MA. May 2006- Oct. 2010
My penultimate job. Swampscott, MA. Jan. 2005- May 2006
My antepenultimate job. Boston, MA. Oct. 2003- Nov. 2004**
(etc.)
*I lump all my freelance and consulting work into one decade-long part-time job. I've lived on both coasts and in four cities since I started my consulting business, but the only location I give on my resume is where I presently do consulting.
** When an interviewer asks, "Would you talk for a moment about these gaps in your resume?" my answer goes like this:
"I've been employed without interruption since 2001, when I started my own part-time consulting business to supplement my income from full-time work. I've mostly built the business on evenings and weekends, but I'm proud to say that I've supported myself entirely on my consulting work when my career or family required it. I enjoy the additional income and the challenge of running my own business and dealing directly with clients. The moonlighting projects tend to be very different from the work I've done at large agencies. Those projects add depth and balance to my design portfolio, and they've also helped me develop the customer-service skills so many in-house designers lack."
It's possible an interviewer might rule me out, thinking: "If I hire this guy, he's going to keep consulting, so I'll never have his full attention and he won't be as dependent on my good graces as I'd like my employees to be." I'll take that chance. I've been laid off from my only job, and I've been laid off when I also had a part-time job on the side. The former experience was traumatizing. The latter was no big deal.
List both jobs - it isn't uncommon
Hi Superjac,
You really do need to list both jobs. I do not think it is as rare as you believe. I am in an high-mid-level position which is extremely demanding. I give it my best and don't hold back on the hours when needed. Still I listen to Mike and Mark and try to stay within a reasonable work load.
My "other" job is a music ministry position that keeps me busy two evenings and Sunday mornings every week. My main employer knows about my other work and is supportive. If there is ever a struggle the big job wins hands down. When I am asked about this, it is possible for me to say that: the church job is
something I feel called to do.
an activity that renews my energy.
supports my balance and therefore.
makes me more productive on the job.
It is mostly about how you answer the question. If my real job were to ask me to set it aside I would be able to.