If you have years of experience in a specific area of work, you may have worked several similar job positions, but for different employers. If you find yourself in this position while searching for a new job, you might find yourself thinking “is it worth it to include this work history on my resume?” Although the job titles are the same, some of the responsibilities or required skills may differ. Draw attention to these differences as you create your resume to stand out to a hiring manager or recruiter during your job search.
What Not to Do
Do not simply write that you have worked the same position for several different employers. Potential employers know that no job responsibilities or tasks are the same despite the title of the position. Do not leave out employer’s names or overall positions because you think you are repeating information by outlining your past work experience.
Resume Format
Present your past employment positions on your job application as you would if they were all different roles. Start by listing the name of the previous roles you had in the work experience section, even if it is the same for each position. State the employer’s name or company name followed by the time of employment in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position at the top. Put “current” instead of an end date if you are still working in a position. Provide three to five different relevant job description bullet points under each employer. This is where job seekers can make each past job stand out as individually different. For example, do not simply write that you served customers and completed transactions in a cashier’s position for a clothing store. Instead, focus on the smaller tasks such as finding the proper sizes, ensuring the visit was enjoyable and providing fast and effective transactions.
Tip
Designing a resume can be daunting. Look for sample resumes or resume templates online to help you get started.
Building Experience
Do not view it as a weakness that you have worked the same position for several different companies or employers. Instead, see it as an opportunity for you to build on your skills and expertise within a given field of work. Once the short list of different responsibilities and tasks has been completed for each employer, expand your skills and abilities on your resume. Highlight even the smallest job duties.
For example, do not simply write that you controlled and protected an area if you have worked as a security guard. Include key achievements and initiatives such as answered customer questions, provided additional assistance where needed, analyzed television screens, repaired security cameras, wrote incident reports and fixed faulty software programs. Make sure to include any promotions and lateral moves within previous jobs to highlight your dedication and versatility.
Cover Letter Content
The employer is able to see your experience in the given job field, so use the cover letter to explain why this type of job is enjoyable for you. Explain your passion and genuine interest, so the employer understands your reasoning for working the same type of job for different employers. If you are looking for a career change, focus on how your different positions inspired and contributed to that desire.
