Figuring out how to write a resume can be tricky, especially when you’re just starting out. You want to show off your skills and experience, but you might also worry about things that could hurt your chances. One question that often pops up is whether mentioning experiences like receiving food stamps on your resume is a good idea. It’s a valid concern, so let’s dive in and break it down!
Does Including Food Stamps Directly Hurt Your Chances?
No, including the fact that you received food stamps directly on your resume won’t hurt your chances of getting a job. Resumes focus on your skills, work history, and education. Information about government assistance programs like food stamps isn’t relevant to these core areas. Employers are looking for qualifications and experience that relate to the job you’re applying for, not your personal financial situation.
Focusing on Skills and Experience Instead
Instead of worrying about things that don’t directly relate to the job, focus on what you *can* put on your resume. Think about the skills you’ve gained through different experiences, even if they weren’t paid jobs. This could include things like volunteering, helping out at home, or participating in school clubs. These activities can showcase valuable skills.
For example, if you volunteered at a food bank, that’s definitely something you can put on your resume! That shows you have experience with:
- Teamwork
- Customer service (if you interacted with people)
- Organization
Consider how the skills you developed in your non-paid experiences can transfer to the job. These can be highlighted in your resume.
Here’s a quick tip: Before submitting your resume, look at the job description. Make sure that the skills you list are similar to the skills listed in the job description. Tailoring your resume to the job gives you the best chance of landing an interview!
Avoiding Unnecessary Information
Your resume should be clear and concise, highlighting your most relevant experiences. Overloading it with information that doesn’t add value can actually hurt you. It can distract from the most important aspects of your skills and experience. Resumes are usually scanned quickly by people, so the most important information must be easily accessible.
Think about what the employer wants to know. They want to know if you’re qualified for the job, not about your personal finances. Keep the resume focused. Also, think about how long your resume needs to be. Most entry-level resumes are one page long.
Here’s a quick guide on what NOT to include on your resume:
- Personal information that isn’t relevant to the job (like marital status or religious beliefs)
- Anything that could lead to discrimination
- Irrelevant hobbies, unless they somehow relate to the job (e.g., you’re applying for a game design job and love playing video games)
If it doesn’t help sell you as the right person for the job, leave it out!
Understanding Potential Bias
While it’s not appropriate for employers to discriminate based on someone’s use of public assistance, it’s a sad reality that bias can sometimes exist. There might be unconscious biases at play, but it’s not legal for an employer to make decisions based on this.
It’s important to remember that it is illegal to discriminate based on race, religion, gender, or any other protected characteristic. If you feel you have been discriminated against, there are resources available to help you. Your state or local labor department can help.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
| What You Can’t Control | What You Can Control |
|---|---|
| Potential biases of the hiring manager | Your skills, experience, and how you present them |
| Their personal beliefs | The quality of your resume and interview skills |
Focus on what you *can* control: your resume and your interview skills.
Focus on Positive Aspects and Skills
Instead of worrying about what you *can’t* put on your resume, concentrate on highlighting your accomplishments and skills. Think about your strengths and the valuable skills you’ve developed through any experiences. Remember, employers want to hire people who can do the job, and showing off your skills is the best way to prove that.
Think of it like this: you have the skills, now you have to package them in a way that will impress the employer. Here are some examples of skills that can be very helpful, even if you’re starting out:
- Communication: Can you clearly express your ideas in writing or verbally?
- Teamwork: Are you able to work well with others?
- Problem-solving: Can you find solutions to issues?
- Time Management: Can you meet deadlines?
The more skills you can show the employer you have, the better your chances of getting a job.
It is also important to be honest on your resume. This is very important if an employer discovers that you have lied about your experience or skills.
The key takeaway is to emphasize the skills and experiences that align with the job requirements.
If you are struggling to fill out the skills section of your resume, think of your skills as being divided into three categories:
- Hard Skills: Specific, teachable abilities that can be defined and measured, such as a software or typing proficiency
- Transferable Skills: Skills applicable in various jobs or industries, like communication and problem-solving
- Soft Skills: Personal traits or characteristics, such as leadership and time management
Conclusion
In the end, whether or not you received food stamps isn’t relevant to a resume. The most important thing is to highlight your skills, experience, and how they relate to the job you want. Focus on the positive aspects of your background and how you can contribute to the company. If you present yourself well, and emphasize your skills and qualifications, you’ll significantly increase your chances of landing a job. Good luck!