When it comes to writing a resume, it’s important to include your availability to employers. By doing this, you can make sure that you receive offers from employers who understand and accept your availability. In this article, we will define what availability means on a resume, when to include your availability on a resume, how to discuss availability in a resume format and additional tips to help you figure out the best way to present your availability.
Availability on a resume means highlighting the dates and times you can work. It can also refer to a start date where employers can expect you to start working for them. When discussing availability on your resume, there are a few situations where it’s important to include your availability:
- If you’re currently employed: If you currently have a job and are in the process of looking for a new opportunity, it’s important that you provide availability on your resume. This is because it ensures you give your current employer proper notice, and it also helps prospective employers understand when you could start.
- If there are days or times when you absolutely can’t work: It’s important to include your availability on your resume when you have another part-time job or personal commitments that you know can’t change. This helps you save time and ensure you only pursue opportunities that work well with your commitments.
- If there are specific days or times you prefer to work: When applying for jobs, it’s important that you outline your needs to ensure you obtain positive work experiences. Therefore, include your availability on your resume to convey to employers the types of schedules and work shifts you enjoy. For example, you prefer working Mondays through Thursdays or prefer working morning shifts.
- If applying for seasonal work and have a set end date: For those who work in professions with lapses in employment, or those enrolled in high school or college degree programs, including availability on a resume ensures proper communication between them and potential employers.
How to Discuss Availability on Your Resume
When discussing availability on your resume, it’s important to keep it short and concise. You want to ensure that employers understand your availability without focusing on it more than your professional experiences and skills. Here are a few tips for including availability dates on your resume:
- Include your availability as the last line of your contact information.
- Discuss your availability in your resume introduction, in either the first or last sentence.
- Use clear, specific, and unambiguous language.
- Tailor your availability to each job application.
FAQ
What does availability mean on a resume?
Availability on a resume means highlighting the dates and times you can work. It can also refer to a start date where employers can expect you to start working for them.
When to discuss availability on your resume?
There are a few situations where it’s important that you discuss your availability on your resume. Here are some examples to help enhance your understanding:
- If you’re currently employed: If you currently have a job and are in the process of looking for a new opportunity, it’s important that you provide availability on your resume. This is because it ensures you give your current employer proper notice, and it also helps prospective employers understand when you could start.
- If there are days or times when you absolutely can’t work: It’s important to include your availability on your resume when you have another part-time job or personal commitments that you know can’t change. This helps you save time and ensure you only pursue opportunities that work well with your commitments.
- If there are specific days or times you prefer to work: When applying for jobs, it’s important that you outline your needs to ensure you obtain positive work experiences. Therefore, include your availability on your resume to convey to employers the types of schedules and work shifts you enjoy. For example, you prefer working Mondays through Thursdays or prefer working morning shifts.
- If applying for seasonal work and have a set end date: For those who work in professions with lapses in employment, or those enrolled in high school or college degree programs, including availability on a resume ensures proper communication between them and potential employers.
How to present your availability on your resume?
You can present your availability on your resume in a few lines within the “Summary” section of your resume. Here are a few examples of how you can present your availability:
- “Available for full-time work with a flexible schedule”
- “Available to work Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm”
- “Available to work evenings and weekends”
By following these tips, you can
