Earlier in this series, we talked about consolidating and eliminating education from resumes when the need arises.

Now, let’s talk about “dumbing down” resumes. Yeah, that is not the best descriptor, no doubt.

As resume writers, we sometimes have clients who want to take a step back in their careers rather than proceed with the onward and upward momentum we’re accustomed to seeing.

Managers and executives nearing retirement (although not always) are made up of those wanting to move from demanding and stressful jobs to lower-level, keep-the-mind-busy jobs. No more board meetings or high-pressure business environments for them.

Softening and, at times, eliminating skills, education, and achievements become part of the resume-writing process for those wanting to take a step back (or a step down). Taking these steps feels strange to us as resume writers, as if we’re somehow heading in the wrong direction or doing something wrong. Yet, there are times when we’ll do just as much analyzing and chopping as we do writing.

So, what does this look like exactly?

Job titles could be adjusted or shortened, with the client’s permission, such as CEO to Business Manager or VP of Sales to Sales Manager. It isn’t always possible to keep the resume accurate or, at times, agreeable to the client, so proceed logically and with client approval.

Beyond job titles, we control what skills are emphasized, deemphasized, or eliminated in the second-act resumes we write. Remember always to consider relevancy when assessing the client’s skills. For rare, irrelevant, and over-the-top skills, don’t be afraid to do a bit of nip/tuck on those as well.

You may remember that in the previous tip, we suggested that excess education could also hinder clients' job searches. As crazy as it sounds, there are scenarios when eliminating over-the-top or irrelevant education is the best approach.

The last recommendation involves achievements. We often see high-performing professionals produce amazing results during their careers, which is excellent when they’re seeking another position that requires the same impressive results. Yet, when they’re seeking a lower-level role, dumbing down a resume often requires softening or eliminating specific achievements, too.

As mentioned above, writing resumes for those taking a step back goes against the grain of what we do most often as writers. Yet, there are times when we need to make tough decisions on behalf of our clients.

They will thank us for it.