Should You Include a Short-Term Role on Your Resume?

If you’re reworking your resume, deciding what job experiences to include can be challenging. One common dilemma is whether to list short-term roles. Here’s a guide to help you make that decision.

Understanding Resume Basics

Your resume is not a permanent record but a highlight reel. It should showcase experiences that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Employers want to see your skills, qualifications, and achievements that indicate you’re the right fit for the job.

Should You Include Short-Term Jobs?

When deciding whether to list a short-term job, consider the following:

• Relevance: Does the experience add value to the job you are applying for? Does the role showcase skills or achievements relevant to your desired position?
• Impact: Did you achieve any significant accomplishments in the short-term role? Can you highlight skills gained that are important for the new role?
• Context: Were you performing similar tasks in this job to what you would in the new job? Was the role part of a temporary contract, seasonal work, or internship that has a clear context?

Pros of Including Short-Term Roles

• Showing Versatility: If the job gave you unique skills or experiences, it could be worth mentioning.
• Filling Employment Gaps: Including short stints can explain gaps in your employment history.
• Relevant Experience: If the role is directly related to your desired job, it showcases your suitability.

Cons of Including Short-Term Roles

• Job Hopping Impressions: Multiple short-term roles may make you appear unreliable.
• Lack of Depth: Short stints often don’t allow you to achieve significant accomplishments, crucial in making a strong resume.
• Cluttered Resume: Unnecessary details can make your resume crowded and unfocused.

Deciding Whether to Include Your Agile Master Role

Here’s a quick scenario based on your situation:

• Time with Company: Two years.
• Role Context: You worked as a Business Analyst and briefly assisted an Agile Master.
• Relevance: You’re applying for a role in business analysis.

Evaluate:

• Would skills learned as an Agile Master be valuable in your business analysis role?
• Did your stint as Agile Master involve any notable achievements?
• Are recruiters in your field likely to find Agile Master experience impressive?

Pros

It shows you have some knowledge of Agile methodologies, which can be valuable in many tech-related roles.

Cons

If your role was brief and you didn’t enjoy it, including detailed tasks might dilute your focus on business analysis.

How to Include It (If You Decide to)

If you conclude it should stay, optimize the description:

Integrated Approach: Combine the Agile Master role experience subtly within your business analysis role, without giving it undue focus.

 XYZ Company - Business Analyst: January 2021 - Present   - Collaborated on developing business requirements and process improvements.   - Assisted the Agile Master for 3 months in implementing Agile methodologies, which enhanced team productivity.

This method incorporates the experience without making it a focal point.

Leaving It Out

If you opt to leave it out, focus on your primary role of business analysis:

 XYZ Company - Business Analyst: January 2021 - Present   - Developed detailed business analysis reports focusing on various market trends.   - Facilitated communication between stakeholders to streamline project management.

Here, the resume stays focused on your desired career path without potential distractors.

General Tips for Listing Multiple Roles at One Company

• Stack Similar Job Titles:
  Structure: List the company once, followed by roles and dates. Example:

 XYZ Company - Business Analyst (Jan 2021 - Present) - Agile Master Assistant (Oct 2020 - Jan 2021)

• Description: Combine responsibilities under a shared header to avoid redundancy.
• Separate Entries for Different Roles: Useful when roles have distinct responsibilities. Example:

 XYZ Company - Business Analyst (Jan 2021 - Present)   - Details. ABC Company - Agile Master Assistant (Oct 2020 - Jan 2021)   - Details.

• Short-Term Closures: If your job gap is brief, it often doesn’t need explicit coverage. Focus on achievements and skills showcased in longer roles.

Conclusion

Choosing what to highlight on your resume can shape your career narrative effectively. Focus on relevancy and impact, ensuring your resume tells the best story of your professional journey.