Ask HN: How to summarize lots of short-term contracts in my resume?

18 pointsre1ser8y ago7 comments

I've been contracting for over 8-9 years now and while I had longer term contracts I also have lots of short-term (1-3 months) contracts. Last 2 years I almost exclusively had short term contracts which overlapped too.

Most of the jobs were similar (e.g. Python, Flask, scraping), however I had few jobs where I did other stuff (C#, embedded, windows desktop, etc).

If I write down summary of each job position in my resume, I think it would be too much (would take 2 pages to write it all down). How should I summarize all this, so it doesnt take much space and at the same time shows the variety of tech stacks I've used and came in touch with.

I was thinking to have a general resume which I would tailor to specific company needs, where I would remove/add job positions which are more relevant to what the company is looking for.

Ask HN: How to summarize lots of short-term contracts in my resume?

18 pointsre1ser8y ago7 comments

Most of the jobs were similar (e.g. Python, Flask, scraping), however I had few jobs where I did other stuff (C#, embedded, windows desktop, etc).

I was thinking to have a general resume which I would tailor to specific company needs, where I would remove/add job positions which are more relevant to what the company is looking for.

7 comments

7 comments · 7 top-level

imhoguy8y ago

> I was thinking to have a general resume which I would tailor to specific company needs, where I would remove/add job positions which are more relevant to what the company is looking for.

This is what I do - keep few position description templates and send customized CVs. I assume that this time you also want to target contract roles, not permanent employment. Keep complete list on LinkedIn SEO. Good too have professional website where you can present your competences and experience in detail in CV. Then you can experiment with some portfolio structure like: Web Development, Windows Applications Development, Web Automation ... with more descriptions under etc. Just look how IT Consulting shops pitch their areas.

In CV add some general abstract intro where you explain you do contracting 2009-2017 with matching buzzwords and brands. Then list most relevant gigs: 12/2015-2/2016 Project for XYZ - tailored skills and duties description

If units are too small then group them like: 2015-2017 Freelance work on ABCD and EFGH for several shops.

Keep it simple to get foot in the door. On screening call if you notice customer would be interested in something specific ask if you can send refined CV.

marklitw8y ago

I'd have it all under one listing with the job title you're looking to have for the next two years going forward.

Put a short list of some of your more well-known clients and then a list of technologies you've worked with that you suspect future clients will be willing to pay well for in the coming two years.

Three sentences, your future clients will thank you for not emailing them a wall of text.

I don't see CVs as needing to be detailed catalogues and LinkedIn and Blogs are better places for keyword stuffing.

twobyfour8y ago

2010 - 2017 Founder, Software Developer at Re1ser Consulting

- Built projects including a, b, c

- Mastered technology stacks d, e, f

- Sourced and managed accounts with clients including g, h, j

2013, Software Developer (contract), Acme Tech

[insert normal experience description here]

You can flip the order of specific contracts vs summary if you prefer.

eurticket8y ago

Could you focus each job down under the an over arching label?

Contracting — Recently to Formerly Completed

2011 - 2017 [Long Term (8 Year) - Project Duties]

2017 - 12/17[Short Term (2 Month) - Project duties]

2014 - 2016[Long Term (2 Year) - Project duties]

gesman8y ago

In the past most of my consulting gigs were conducted under my own registered Corp.

So i added to my resume that I worked for "My corp" for last N years and summarized technologies and achievements.

sova8y ago

I made a brief color coded timeline / rectangle.

marklit8y ago

I'd have it all under one listing with the job title you're looking to have for the next two years going forward.

Put a short list of some of your more well-known clients and then a list of technologies you've worked with that you suspect future clients will be willing to pay well for in the coming two years.

Three sentences, your future clients will thank you for not emailing them a wall of text.

I don't see CVs as needing to be detailed catalogs and LinkedIn and Blogs are better places for keyword stuffing.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

7 comments

7 comments · 7 top-level

imhoguy8y ago

> I was thinking to have a general resume which I would tailor to specific company needs, where I would remove/add job positions which are more relevant to what the company is looking for.

If units are too small then group them like: 2015-2017 Freelance work on ABCD and EFGH for several shops.

Keep it simple to get foot in the door. On screening call if you notice customer would be interested in something specific ask if you can send refined CV.

marklitw8y ago

I'd have it all under one listing with the job title you're looking to have for the next two years going forward.

Put a short list of some of your more well-known clients and then a list of technologies you've worked with that you suspect future clients will be willing to pay well for in the coming two years.

Three sentences, your future clients will thank you for not emailing them a wall of text.

I don't see CVs as needing to be detailed catalogues and LinkedIn and Blogs are better places for keyword stuffing.

twobyfour8y ago

2010 - 2017 Founder, Software Developer at Re1ser Consulting

- Built projects including a, b, c

- Mastered technology stacks d, e, f

- Sourced and managed accounts with clients including g, h, j

2013, Software Developer (contract), Acme Tech

[insert normal experience description here]

You can flip the order of specific contracts vs summary if you prefer.

eurticket8y ago

Could you focus each job down under the an over arching label?

Contracting — Recently to Formerly Completed

2011 - 2017 [Long Term (8 Year) - Project Duties]

2017 - 12/17[Short Term (2 Month) - Project duties]

2014 - 2016[Long Term (2 Year) - Project duties]

gesman8y ago

In the past most of my consulting gigs were conducted under my own registered Corp.

So i added to my resume that I worked for "My corp" for last N years and summarized technologies and achievements.

sova8y ago

I made a brief color coded timeline / rectangle.

marklit8y ago

I'd have it all under one listing with the job title you're looking to have for the next two years going forward.

Put a short list of some of your more well-known clients and then a list of technologies you've worked with that you suspect future clients will be willing to pay well for in the coming two years.

Three sentences, your future clients will thank you for not emailing them a wall of text.

I don't see CVs as needing to be detailed catalogs and LinkedIn and Blogs are better places for keyword stuffing.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse