3 answers
Alex
Student
Ann Arbor, Michigan
1
Question
Asked
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When adding an experience to a resume, is the organization supposed to be the one my project was for, or the one I received payments from, if they are not the same one?
Context: I am a college senior, and was initially hired for a research lab, and from the Research Lab (RL), a team worked for a project at a Company (C), and I was within that team. I already put RL on my resume as I did a different there prior to C’s project, do I put C in as an organization for a separate experience? Or is C’s project considered an experience within RL and not C?
Basically, would I be wrong to list C as the organization because I was paid by RL, or would putting C make more sense because the project was for and benefited C? I received an offer elsewhere and don’t know if I represented myself properly anymore, I realized this issue when having an inconclusive conversation about resumes with my friends.
All advice will be appreciated!
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3 answers
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
780
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Alex, it's crucial to grasp that in your unique situation, the most effective and truthful strategy is to designate the Research Lab (RL) as your main organization. This should be coupled with a detailed explanation emphasizing your contributions to Company (C). This approach ensures openness and accurately reflects your career history.
Here's the reasoning:
- Significance of Primary Association: Since your official employment was with the Research Lab and the project was completed as a part of their team, RL deserves to be the main organization mentioned on your resume.
- In-depth Project Explanation: In the section detailing your experience with RL, it's important to clearly mention your project with Company C. This gives you the opportunity to highlight: The teamwork involved in your work; The specific project you played a part in; The benefit you brought to Company C through your team at the research lab.
A suggested layout could be:
Research Lab, [Location]
Research Team Member, [Dates]
- Teamed up with Company C on [Project Name]
- Specific accomplishments and effects of the project
- Technical or research contributions showcasing your skills
By being open about the project's roots and your role, you show professionalism and a keen eye for detail—traits that employers highly value. If the project was notably significant or intricate, you might think about adding a short note like "(Project for Company C)" to further clarify the project's extent and your participation.
Here's the reasoning:
- Significance of Primary Association: Since your official employment was with the Research Lab and the project was completed as a part of their team, RL deserves to be the main organization mentioned on your resume.
- In-depth Project Explanation: In the section detailing your experience with RL, it's important to clearly mention your project with Company C. This gives you the opportunity to highlight: The teamwork involved in your work; The specific project you played a part in; The benefit you brought to Company C through your team at the research lab.
A suggested layout could be:
Research Lab, [Location]
Research Team Member, [Dates]
- Teamed up with Company C on [Project Name]
- Specific accomplishments and effects of the project
- Technical or research contributions showcasing your skills
By being open about the project's roots and your role, you show professionalism and a keen eye for detail—traits that employers highly value. If the project was notably significant or intricate, you might think about adding a short note like "(Project for Company C)" to further clarify the project's extent and your participation.
Thank you very much for your response! It provided great insight into how hiring managers may view this situation, and gives me a good direction to emulate. Thank you very much!
Alex
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1902
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Alex !
Since they were short-term projects, I would list them individually under the Laboratory Company. I'll try to illustrate this, hopefully it will be understandable, but ask more questions if not. Example:
Work Experience
ABC Company
Project One (Name of Project) - DEFG Research Laboratories
From 1/1/2022 to 4/30/2022
Smith Company
Project Two - DEFG Research Laboratories
From 5/15/2022 to 7/1/2022
Jones, Inc.
Project Three - DEFG Laboratories
From 9/1/2022 to 12/16/2022
If you had worked for DEG Laboratories for, say, ten years, you would put
DEFG Laboratories
Project One - ABC Company From 1/1/2014 to 2/15/2018
Project Two - Smith Company From 2/17/18 to 2/16/2023
Project Three - Jones, Incorporated From 2/20/23 to 10/7/2024
and list it all under the company DEFG Laboratories. But as long as interviewers have the information as to where you've worked and for what durations and your job duties, it should be fine for what you've sent them. Information and details can be ascertained during a job interview if needed.
Also do a search online to read about CV's which may be a good format for lab workers. I left one link below but there are many more examples you can find through an online search.
I hope this can guide you in the right direction for what you need and I wish you all the best !
CV MAKER WEBSITE https://www.cvmaker.uk/cv-example/lab-technician
Since they were short-term projects, I would list them individually under the Laboratory Company. I'll try to illustrate this, hopefully it will be understandable, but ask more questions if not. Example:
Work Experience
ABC Company
Project One (Name of Project) - DEFG Research Laboratories
From 1/1/2022 to 4/30/2022
Smith Company
Project Two - DEFG Research Laboratories
From 5/15/2022 to 7/1/2022
Jones, Inc.
Project Three - DEFG Laboratories
From 9/1/2022 to 12/16/2022
If you had worked for DEG Laboratories for, say, ten years, you would put
DEFG Laboratories
Project One - ABC Company From 1/1/2014 to 2/15/2018
Project Two - Smith Company From 2/17/18 to 2/16/2023
Project Three - Jones, Incorporated From 2/20/23 to 10/7/2024
and list it all under the company DEFG Laboratories. But as long as interviewers have the information as to where you've worked and for what durations and your job duties, it should be fine for what you've sent them. Information and details can be ascertained during a job interview if needed.
Also do a search online to read about CV's which may be a good format for lab workers. I left one link below but there are many more examples you can find through an online search.
I hope this can guide you in the right direction for what you need and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for your response! It provided a great template for how I can represent multiple individual projects under an umbrella organization. Thank you very much!
Alex
You are very welcome, Alex ! I am happy it could help you.
Michelle M.
Cheryl Bunn Yamaguchi
10
Answers
Updated
Cheryl’s Answer
Fantastic inquiry Alex! The decision to list Company (C) as a distinct experience or consider it a part of your tenure at the research lab (RL) hinges on the extent of your involvement with C versus RL and how you wish to portray your experience.
Here's a simplified guide to help you decide:
1. What Was the Nature of Your Work?
If your tasks were evidently a project for RL (even if it was advantageous for C), it's probably best to incorporate it as part of your RL experience.
If your tasks were highly specific to C, you could justify listing it separately, provided you specify it was through RL.
2. Who Is Your Intended Audience?
If RL is a renowned research lab: Retain C’s project under RL as RL's reputation will lend more credibility.
If C is a larger or more recognized entity: You might want to highlight your work for C but still specify your affiliation with RL.
How to Present It
Here are two straightforward approaches to this:
Approach 1: Under RL
This approach maintains your connection to RL while highlighting the work you did for C.
Research Assistant, Research Lab (RL)
Dates of Employment
Carried out research on [project details].
Teamed up on a project for [Company C], focusing on [specific contributions and results].
[Other responsibilities].
Approach 2: Separate Entry for C
If C is significantly relevant to your career aspirations or is more recognized, you can list it separately while emphasizing your association with RL.
Project Team Member, Company (C) (through RL)
Dates of Project Work
Chosen by [RL] to contribute to a joint project with [C].
Contributed to [specific contributions and results].
Collaborated with [C employees/teams] on [key responsibilities].
Research Assistant, Research Lab (RL)
Dates of Employment
Undertook research on [other responsibilities or unrelated work at RL].
Final Thoughts:
There's no "incorrect" way to list C as long as you're open about the relationship. However, since RL was your employer and compensated you, it's the primary organization. Highlighting C depends on the significance of the experience for the new role you're seeking.
If you've already sent out a resume, don't worry! You can clarify the situation in interviews if required. Moving forward, you can choose the format that feels most genuine and impactful.
1. Who Paid You? Since you were paid by RL, it’s most accurate to list RL as the employer. This is standard practice because RL is technically the organization you worked for.
2. Where Did You Physically Work or Represent? If the bulk of your work took place at C (e.g., collaborating with their employees, working at their offices, or representing RL at C), it might make sense to highlight C in your resume.
3. What Was the Nature of Your Work? If your work was clearly a project for RL (even if it benefited C), then it’s likely better to include it as part of your RL experience. If the work was very specific to C, you might have a case for listing it separately as long as you clarify it was through RL.
4.4. What Makes the Most Sense to Your Audience? If RL is a well-known research lab: Keep C’s project under RL because RL will carry more weight and credibility. If C is a bigger or more recognizable name: You might emphasize your work for C but still clarify your relationship through RL. How to Format It
Here are two options to handle this: Option 1: Under RL This keeps everything tied to RL while showcasing the work you did for C. Research Assistant, Research Lab (RL) Dates of Employment Conducted research on [project details]. Collaborated with a team on a project for [Company C], focusing on [specific contributions and results]. [Other responsibilities]. Option 2: Separate Entry for C If C is highly relevant to your career goals or has more recognition, you can list it separately while making it clear you worked for RL. Project Team Member, Company (C) (through RL) Dates of Project Work Selected by [RL] to participate in a collaborative project with [C]. Contributed to [specific contributions and results]. Worked with [C employees/teams] to [key responsibilities]. Research Assistant, Research Lab (RL) Dates of Employment Conducted research on [other responsibilities or unrelated work at RL]. Final Thoughts: It’s not "wrong" to list C as long as you’re transparent about the relationship. However, because RL paid you and employed you, it’s the primary organization. Whether you highlight C depends on how much weight the experience carries for the new role you’re applying for. If you’ve already submitted a resume, this isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker! You can clarify the situation in interviews if asked. Going forward, you can adopt whichever format feels most authentic and impactful.
Here's a simplified guide to help you decide:
1. What Was the Nature of Your Work?
If your tasks were evidently a project for RL (even if it was advantageous for C), it's probably best to incorporate it as part of your RL experience.
If your tasks were highly specific to C, you could justify listing it separately, provided you specify it was through RL.
2. Who Is Your Intended Audience?
If RL is a renowned research lab: Retain C’s project under RL as RL's reputation will lend more credibility.
If C is a larger or more recognized entity: You might want to highlight your work for C but still specify your affiliation with RL.
How to Present It
Here are two straightforward approaches to this:
Approach 1: Under RL
This approach maintains your connection to RL while highlighting the work you did for C.
Research Assistant, Research Lab (RL)
Dates of Employment
Carried out research on [project details].
Teamed up on a project for [Company C], focusing on [specific contributions and results].
[Other responsibilities].
Approach 2: Separate Entry for C
If C is significantly relevant to your career aspirations or is more recognized, you can list it separately while emphasizing your association with RL.
Project Team Member, Company (C) (through RL)
Dates of Project Work
Chosen by [RL] to contribute to a joint project with [C].
Contributed to [specific contributions and results].
Collaborated with [C employees/teams] on [key responsibilities].
Research Assistant, Research Lab (RL)
Dates of Employment
Undertook research on [other responsibilities or unrelated work at RL].
Final Thoughts:
There's no "incorrect" way to list C as long as you're open about the relationship. However, since RL was your employer and compensated you, it's the primary organization. Highlighting C depends on the significance of the experience for the new role you're seeking.
If you've already sent out a resume, don't worry! You can clarify the situation in interviews if required. Moving forward, you can choose the format that feels most genuine and impactful.
Cheryl recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for the response! It clarifies perfectly how I can most fairly represent myself, both within the resume, and for the organizations who have already received my not-fixed resume. Thank you very much!
Alex