Creating Resumes for Contract and Temporary Positions

Looking to apply for a new contract or temporary position but are unsure of how to create the right resume? You’ll be happy to know that writing resumes for these types of positions is not as difficult as you think. The major difference between resumes for temporary or contract work and those for permanent positions is the need to more specifically focus on your accomplishments and personality. Let’s explore some ways you can get this done. “I’m a Quick Learner” When applying for a temporary or contract position, the prospective employer often expects you to arrive with some knowledge of the work they do. And if you don’t have the knowledge, they hope that you can learn it very quickly. Likewise, if you are a contract worker, you may have your own business specializing in their field, which also means that the employer probably will expect you to hit the ground running. So how can you convince them that you are the right person for the job? One way is by highlighting those responsibilities that showcase how flexible and adaptable you are. For example, if you are applying for a temporary clerical position, you might mention that in your four-week stint with Anheuser-Busch, you supported both the sales and legal departments by completing a variety of clerical tasks – then describe those tasks in detail. This information lets them know that not only are you qualified to take on a clerical position, but that you also can multitask under the pressure of two departments and complete numerous projects within a short period of time. List the Companies You’ve Worked For If you’ve been temping for a while, it may feel natural to write down the names of any agencies that you’ve worked with instead of the companies they’ve introduced you to. However, it’s not a bad idea to list the companies, mainly because this is where you’ve gained the experience you’re now trying to market to the prospective employer. As a temporary worker, by telling them the companies you’ve worked for, they can better determine what types of skills you’ve acquired as well as the likelihood of you successfully completing their projects. However, as a contractor you will not have this concern if you make it a practice to approach companies on your own for work. Show Them You Can Fit In Another great way to get your foot in the door as a temp or contractor is by convincing the prospective employer that you fit into their organizational culture. Most times, this means making an effort to research their company for information that will help you understand their goals. By showing them that their goals and your skills and accomplishments are well aligned, they are likely to develop the impression that you will transition easily into their company and get the job done with minimal training. Working a temporary or contract position can provide you with a great opportunity to highlight how versatile, adaptable, and truly talented you are. So let your resume showcase this dynamic side of your personality when searching for your next short-term position.