How far can you stretch a resume?

Dear Bob ... I had a question about the article "About finding a job when you don't have one". I have been out of work since October and have been doing some IT consulting on the side while I look for fulltime work. You recommend that this go on the resume, but I don't view this as "real" work (why -- I don't know, probably because it is not fulltime work?!?). Is this a generally acceptable resume practice? - S

Dear Bob ...

I had a question about the article "About finding a job when you don't have one". I have been out of work since October and have been doing some IT consulting on the side while I look for fulltime work. You recommend that this go on the resume, but I don't view this as "real" work (why -- I don't know, probably because it is not fulltime work?!?). Is this a generally acceptable resume practice?

- Standards seeker

Dear Seeker ...

Did you provide a service? Did you get paid for it? If additional opportunities arise are you interested in pursuing them?

I don't know what constitutes "acceptable resume practice," but I'm pretty sure making truthful statements is included in it. Resumes are a form of marketing material, equivalent to (and about as useful as) brochures. You can put anything on a brochure that's true - the goal is to explain a product or service in the most positive light possible without straying into outright falsehoods or seriously deceitful statements.

So put it on your resume. When the subject comes up, explain, "Since leaving XYZ Company I've been pursuing two current threads of activity. I've been consulting with clients and actively trying to develop business, while at the same time I've been open to employment opportunities, although I'm being selective about them.

"How are you being selective?" (This will raise a red flag. That's okay because your goal was to change the subject to what you're going to do for them, and once you get that conversation going you're on the right track.)

"I've pretty much decided I'm best suited to smaller, high-growth companies where being able to adapt to circumstances is more important than learning a single specialty in depth. And in fact, that's one of the reasons I was so interested in talking to you. Can you give me a better idea of what the key challenges are? I'd like to talk through how I could help you solve them."

The first sentence, of course, changes depending on the company you're talking with. And yes ... this is a place you're allowed to say what the other party wants to hear. I suppose it qualifies as a falsehood, but then, I'll bet they aren't being perfectly honest with you about the position, either.

- Bob

--------