Resume tips

[Jeffbx]

So I'm hiring a new intern to do support work, and I am amazed at some of the stuff I'm seeing on resumes, especially from students. Now I realize that in many cases this is the first resume some of these people have ever written, but c'mon! Use some common sense & get some help! This is specifically for an IT position, but some of these apply to everyone:

Resume/Interview Tips:

If you're going to list a section of your hardware skills, 'KEYBOARDS' is not a skill. 'MEMORY' is not a skill. ASSEMBLING COMPONENTS is a good skill! CONFIGURING ROUTERS is a good one, too! 'MICE'? Not a skill!

When you list the software you're familiar with, you don't have to list the ones that were obsolete 5 years ago. I don't need anyone with DOS 3.3 or Lotus 123 skills. Also, 'INTERNET' is not a software package.

If you're going to lie, be convincing! Don't try to tell me that you worked in Chicago from 1995 through 1998, and in Los Angeles from 1996 through 2000. That's a heckuva long commute...

Try not to make an obvious show of failures:
Resturant A: line cook, Jan-Sep, 2001
Resturant A: management trainee, Sep 2001 - Dec 2001
Resturant B: line cook, Jan 2002 - present

Married couples in the same field: maybe not a good idea for both of you to apply for the same position.

'REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST' - don't put this on your resume. I know you can give me references if I ask for them. If you DO put this on, make DARN sure you don't go to the interview without those references.

Even if you don't have experience in the field you're applying to, make sure you list your work experience! I'd much rather see someone working in a totally unrelated area for 5 years than someone with a 5 year gap on their resume where it looks like they didn't do anything.

In the interview, it's OK to turn the position down for any reason. However, your chances of being hired will be lowered dramatically if, when told there will be some computer moves involved, you mention that that is 'man's work, not women's work'.

Seven different jobs in three years is not a good sign to an employer.

Don't ask about benefits or vacation until the 2nd interview, until a job offer is extended, or until the employer brings it up.

Don't use an 18 point font on your resume, even if it's less than a page long.

[DaFunkyUnit]

speaking of resumes,

is it better to try to fit everything on one page? i hear it provides ease of use for the reader, and everything is right there. plus it looks better than having one full page and a half empty page.

does anyone concur?

[ray]

JeffBx,

I agree that many students don't ask for help or use career centers at their schools, regardless of how small or how busy they can be. USE THE RESOURCES MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU! YOU ARE PAYING FOR THEM TO BE THERE!

In regards to your comments on Lotus 123...there are still corporations that use that stuff, so it should be listed if you know how to use it. Sony is one of those companies.

Also, I have found it more and more apparent that many companies are telling me upfront what their benefits are. I have been interviewing with various companies and all of them have given me detailed information about employee benefits and perks and using that as a selling point. Heck, one company even gave me their brochures and full benefits listings.

[Merlin]

speaking of resumes,

is it better to try to fit everything on one page? i hear it provides ease of use for the reader, and everything is right there. plus it looks better than having one full page and a half empty page.

does anyone concur?
It really depends on the level of the position. If you are just out of school and going for entry level then one page it is. If you are an administrative person, one page would be fine. As you actually become a professional and have some meat to put on the resume you should use two pages. Two pages in fairly standard.

[ialsohaveadream]

I do some hiring for entry-levels, and I think their resumes are the most hilarious, especially when it comes to descriptions of what was done at your job. If you were a cashier at a grocery store, I've got a pretty good idea of what you did, and you need not describe how you gave customers correct change, scanned items, etc.

Another favorite is the people who avoid bullet points and write small novels about their work at previous jobs. I get enough resumes, I really don't have time to read a long ass narrative about your career. Just give me the basics in quick, easy bullets. If I have more questions about your experience, or you want to share more, let's save it for the interview.

[Cantacuzene]

I disagree about the "references available upon request." You have to put that on. Its a formality, yes, but its an element of style and is just the correct thing to do.

[ray]

I disagree about the "references available upon request." You have to put that on. Its a formality, yes, but its an element of style and is just the correct thing to do.

I have never put that down before. People have told me to add that, and I have kept it off because as you go through any application process they WILL ask for references, regardless of whether they plan on following up or not.

I agree with JeffBX. It's useless

[ialsohaveadream]

I'm with Ray and Jeff. No need for it. If I need them, I'll ask.

[mcs328]

I haven't worked on my resume in so long. I like to bullet everything. The problem I run into is the description of my job or my client. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say/ reveal my client and what specific work I did in case it's confidential even though it's related.

[LegendKiller]

I also think that "objective" or "mission" statements are a massive waste of time. Who cares what you think you deliver to the company, you prove that in the interview, a couple sentances of regurgitated BS doesn't help. If your resume sucks a statement wont help.


LK

[Jeffbx]

Also, I have found it more and more apparent that many companies are telling me upfront what their benefits are. I have been interviewing with various companies and all of them have given me detailed information about employee benefits and perks and using that as a selling point. Heck, one company even gave me their brochures and full benefits listings.

That's a good point - many companies will offer at least some of this information up front. The point I was trying to make is that as an applicant, don't go into your first interview asking about salary or vacation time. That's for later, once you & the company BOTH agree to continue the interview process.

As for the 'references available...', if you're going to include references up front, that's OK, especially if they're impressive (presidents, CEOs, etc). But it's always assumed that if they ask for references, you'll provide them.

[ialsohaveadream]

I also think that "objective" or "mission" statements are a massive waste of time. Who cares what you think you deliver to the company, you prove that in the interview, a couple sentances of regurgitated BS doesn't help. If your resume sucks a statement wont help.

LK

:stupid: I never bother reading them. Unless they know your mission statement and long-term goals, it's near-impossible to write something meaningful.

[ray]

:stupid: I never bother reading them. Unless they know your mission statement and long-term goals, it's near-impossible to write something meaningful.

:stupid:

Mission statements are an incredible waste of useful space on your resume.

Long-term goals...that could potentially be layered into a cover letter if you wish, but again, that is usually a question you get one you are in the interviewing process.

[redcolours]

whn i used to hire my own crew, id go over apps and resumes.

the only things i look for are
what do you know,
what have you done, and
what can you do.

thats on paper. of course, when the interview comes up, its a whole different ballgame. stellar resumes dont necessarily mean great new hire. some of them are clueless on what the job entails, some of them are obnoxious, some of them are simply unprofessional. i dont care how you look after the interview, but for gawdsakes be presentable upon interview, and yes, sell yourself, make a good impression.
and they wonder why we havent called them back after 2 weeks.

[Grubbie]

My stupid school forced us to put references available upon request, dumbest **** in the world. That is coming from the #1 co-op school in the country.

[Merlin]

Keep in mind folks that resumes are unique documents. You show your to 50 different people you will get 50 different opinions on what it should look like. Obviously there are some things you should not do, but in the end make sure it is a document that best represents you.

[Jeffbx]

:stupid:


Check for typos
Have 2 or 3 people read it
If you're in school, have your career placement people look at it
Check for typos
Have a few more people read it

You'll get different opinions from everyone (1 page! No, 2 pages!), but the most important thing is to sound intelligent & try to cover all of your areas of skill.

Great example I found... a guy describing his experience working at Dunkin Dounts. Not a high profile position, but here is what he wrote:


Provided customer service in a fast paced environment and improved my comminication and analytical skills

Now THAT'S a good job description! Those are skills that can be applied to practically any position - there ARE good skills that are gained from ANY job - you just need to find a way to make them show up on your resume.

[InfiniteNothing]

Thanks everyone for the tips. I've been working on my resume recently.