Do you have a section in your resume to explain what you did with yourself for the 2 year gap? Volunteer, self employed, anything? Your resume should also directly reflect the requirements of the job. The wording should be pretty good on yours if you had someone look it over. They way you structure sentences and HOW you present the information in it is really important. You want to avoid using "I" too much, as well as quantify your experience more so than simply stating it. For example;
"Proficient in Excel, MS Word, Office, blah, blah, blah." Instead you want something like "Thorough knowledge in 6 software programs commonly used on a daily basis, such as... (then list them out). In addition to having the ability to quickly learn and utilize 2 programs specifically designed for company A and company B." If you can quickly learn and then re-teach what you learned, that is a bonus too. I was at a company that did a software change, I wizzed on through it, and worked with others too, and have a reference for that experience. Something simple and mundane, but totally useful for an edge in a resume.
What is in your resume to set it apart from the others. How specific is it. "accounted for outbound orders".... ok... how many per day? Big difference to an employer if it was 7 or 50. What in your work history can you "fluff up" with actual numbers and specifics to give the potential employer an idea of what you can actually handle.
You also have to watch the tone of the resume. If you have the resume of someone used to middle management, but you're applying for
Wal-Mart... you're way too over qualified. Office work doesn't exactly transfer to cashier work, so you need to harp on being in a fast pace environment and managing the pace well. Key words like speed, accuracy, courteous and professional, ect.
You should have 3 or more resumes specifically catered to the types of jobs you're applying for, and a custom cover letter for each application. The biggest mistake people make is making 50 copies of the same resume and passing them out with a generic cover letter, if any cover letter at all. In the cover letter, state why you want to work for that company (using the companies name) and briefly touch on why you are qualified (without sounding over qualified) and then mention that you are thankful for an interview opportunity.
Companies are stacked with applications. Tons of them. What sets you apart? As far as how to change resumes for each listing... this is where key words and HOW the experience is listed out. Office work needs organization, multi-tasking, communication skills, familiarity with the typical software programs. Retail needs fast learning ability, speed, professionalism, even something like "Always arrived 15 minutes prior to shift starting to prepare"... Great, that means you won't show up 15 minutes late after the store has already opened. #1 rule of a cashier is to be reliable and consistent. Explain that everywhere it can fit in to a resume if you're going for cashier/retail work.
Some companies are required by their corporate office to always have a "now hiring" sign posted, even if they aren't actively hiring. Keep that in mind too. Search for actual job postings over signs in the window.
Oh another thing, if you see in job posting that there is a drug test, back ground check, driving requirements, list out how clean your driving record is, you're are open to drug testing and have never failed one, and the fact that your background check will come back clean. Unless it won't, then don't mention it. But if it will, be sure to mention it in the cover letter along with "available for immediate start date".
Hope some of that helps. Good luck!
