Here are some things you should consider when deciding whether to emphasize your character traits or work experience in job applications.
How do you define your character?
Before thoroughly examining character development and how it impacts your resume, you need to understand what it is and how it can be applied to your life. Character is about strengthening your core values and making a concerted effort to use them in your life. This can include everything from working toward personal growth to managing stress effectively.
Even if you didn’t major in psychology, you could still incorporate character into your resume. Think about the skills you’ve developed as a result of your personal growth. Are you an effective leader? Are you able to remain calm in pressure situations? Do you have the ability to adapt to new environments?
What is work experience?
Work experience is a must-have in your resume. You likely have listed the companies where you’ve worked, along with your job title and dates of employment. This section of your resume can be an excellent way to prove your ability to complete a job. This is especially true if you work in a high-pressure position.
In many ways, your work experience is your ticket to getting a job. If you can show that you can complete a specific job, you’ll likely be hired. In this case, potential employers seek proof that you can succeed. This might mean that you have a certain degree or certification. It might also mean that you’ve worked in a similar capacity before and been successful in that role.
Which one should you emphasize?
When deciding which is more important to highlight in your resume, you must ask yourself a few questions. First, what is the job that you’re applying for? If the job listing mentions that certain things are more important than others, you should consider that. The second thing to consider is your past experiences, but only if you have the necessary expertise to complete the job. If you don’t, you should focus on how your character traits apply to the position.
When you should emphasize your character
It would be best if you started with your character traits when applying for jobs. This might be the case if you don’t have the required experience for the job you are applying for. In this situation, you should list your character traits and any skills that you’ve learned in the past.
You can also use your character to your advantage if you’re applying for a creative position. However, if you have the necessary experience for the job, you might want to focus on your past work experience. You might have a degree or certification from a highly reputed university, or you might have taken on a particularly challenging role in the past. In this situation, it’s better to emphasize the skills and experience you already have.
When you should emphasize your work experience
If you’re applying for a job that requires a specific degree or certification, you should highlight your work experience. This might be the case if you’re applying for a job as a doctor or engineer. In this situation, you should briefly note your character traits, but they shouldn’t take precedence over your degree and experience. If you’re applying for a job requiring no special training but a broad skill set, you should emphasize your work history. This might be the case when you’re applying for a job as a teacher or salesperson. In this situation, it’s important to note that your degree or experience isn’t as significant as your ability to complete the job.
Finding a balance between work experience and character
Sometimes, finding the perfect balance between your character traits and work experience can take time and effort. You don’t want to ignore one or the other, but you also don’t want to be too focused on just one aspect of your resume. In this situation, you can take the time to write a different section for each one. This way, you can focus on each piece of information equally and ensure that your resume is as accurate and effective as possible.
Bottom line
When deciding between character traits or work experience on your resume, you need to consider how each one will impact your job prospects. For example, if you’re applying for a creative position it’s important to include both character traits and work experience so that you have more room to prove your value to the company. You must present yourself in the best light possible when applying for a position. This means you must decide how to give yourself on your resume and how you want to come across in person.
You might also like: What are the best CV formats? A recruiter who has reviewed hundreds of CVs shares her top 5 picks
