An Alternate Resume: Series Introduction

I’m currently in the middle of a career transition. Between that and my teaching of a class on the topic of “Essential Work” in Spring 2021, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about my resume, job history, and career trajectory. There is always so much left unsaid on job applications: experiences that are now considered too far past to be relevant, personality traits that don’t fit into a single page document, skills that cannot be quantified or verified.

So, I thought it would be fun to do a series looking back at the winding road of my own career path, reflecting on some of the takeaways from my past jobs. Because each of the positions I’ve held have had vastly different impacts on me, the entries will likewise be different in terms of form and content. I’m calling the series “An Alternate Resume.” I hope you’ll follow along.

And, please use the comments to share your own stories about those experiences that didn’t make the cut on your resume (whether because they are too old or because on paper, they aren’t relevant to your current position). What do you wish potential employers knew about you? What have you learned in these positions? How did these experiences shape you?