Resumes and jobs, oh my!
So, its time for me to start applying for summer jobs, and I've been getting my resume together. I hate writing resumes, and trying to sell myself to potential employers, but that's the way the game appears to be played.
I'm looking for feedback on my current resume:
html
pdf (no special formatting at this time- just a dump of the html basically)
I'm looking for feedback mainly in the following areas:
* What can I do better formatting wise?
* Is there anything else I need to include?
* Anything else, really.
This is kind of the general all-inclusive version of my resume. I've been told that its good to only include relevant experience in resumes that you send in for particular jobs, so I will be trimming this down when I send it in with applications (by removing irrelevent stuff).
Also, if anybody else wants to post up their resume in this thread for comparison/feedback, I think that would definitely be acceptable.
TIA
Lee Baker
[Edited by - foreignkid on April 27, 2007 12:04:58 PM]
First impressions, as I read it (the PDF form):
In general, you've got decent content for a resume, but the way you've filtered it (basically, not at all) might be harmful. The presentation and layout could use a bit of work, too. Keep it concise and focused. If you intend to trim the PDF form as well, then nevermind -- its not clear to me from your wording whether you meant that or not.
- The Summary section is pointless, I'd remove it.
- What do you mean by "exposure to" languages? If you can do meaningful work with them, list them. If you can't, omit them.
- STL or SC++L?
- The Qualifications section in general is wordy and disorganized, especially when the lines wrap. I think its clear enough to just say "Win32, MFC, Swing/AWT" for example; no need to qualify. Likewise for "experience with OpenGL," and so on.
- HTML should be with the web development stuff, as should CSS and XML, and not duplicated in the programming languages section.
- The word is parallel.
- The other Qualifications subsections are just as cluttered as the programming one, though I can't speak to their relevance as much.
- I do, however, wonder what position you're applying for here? Usually this is stated in an "objective" section (which I personally find annoying and useless), but your "summary" doesn't bother. I'm wondering why you list a bunch of programming and engineering qualifications, followed by some mechanical labor qualifications. There is rarely a need for a position involving both.
- Education section feels disorganized too (the wrapping is annoying). There is one instance of this in the experience section too.
- I would trim the experience section a lot. Include only what is relevant to the position you're applying for, the rest is just fluff and filler. It's fine if you resume is only one page and looks sparse -- you're a student. Most people don't end up with two-page resumes until later in their careers. I don't necessarily think that two-page resumes are evil, in and of themselves, but only if they contain a lot of relevant information. Most of the stuff you've got seems like filler; it should be trimmed and targeted for a specific position.
- "References available..." is generally assumed and you don't need to state it.
In general, you've got decent content for a resume, but the way you've filtered it (basically, not at all) might be harmful. The presentation and layout could use a bit of work, too. Keep it concise and focused. If you intend to trim the PDF form as well, then nevermind -- its not clear to me from your wording whether you meant that or not.
Quote:Original post by jpetrieI do, however, wonder what position you're applying for here? Usually this is stated in an "objective" section (which I personally find annoying and useless), but your "summary" doesn't bother. I'm wondering why you list a bunch of programming and engineering qualifications, followed by some mechanical labor qualifications. There is rarely a need for a position involving both.
Quote:Original post by jpetrieI would trim the experience section a lot. Include only what is relevant to the position you're applying for, the rest is just fluff and filler. It's fine if you resume is only one page and looks sparse -- you're a student. Most people don't end up with two-page resumes until later in their careers. I don't necessarily think that two-page resumes are evil, in and of themselves, but only if they contain a lot of relevant information. Most of the stuff you've got seems like filler; it should be trimmed and targeted for a specific position.
This isn't for a particular job at the moment- I'm just trying to get something down at this point. My intention is to use this as a starting point when getting resumes together for future job applications, mainly by trimming parts away from this resume that really aren't relevant to whatever job I am applying for at that point.
As for the summary section, I hate summary/objective statements- it seems like people are fairly divided as to whether or not they are really necessary. I ended up taking it out, but now it seems as if there's no real introduction, and the reader is just thrown immediately into bulleted lists.
Quote:This isn't for a particular job at the moment- I'm just trying to get something down at this point. My intention is to use this as a starting point when getting resumes together for future job applications, mainly by trimming parts away from this resume that really aren't relevant to whatever job I am applying for at that point.
Okay, cool. That's fine -- in fact, that's good, as it allows you to quickly make a copy and pare off useless information prior to sending a resume. I wasn't clear, though, whether or not the stuff you were presented was supposed to represent something before or after the pare down.
Quote:As for the summary section... I ended up taking it out, but now it seems as if there's no real introduction, and the reader is just thrown immediately into bulleted lists.
That's to be expected. Your cover letter is where you expound upon your goals and aspirations for getting employed at a particular company with elegant and witty prose. Your resume is quick fact sheet.
Looks pretty good, one thing I might add would be your date of birth. I left it off mine before and had loads of people (and companies) tell me to put it on. I guess they think you might be trying to hide something (really old or really young). In an ideal world it wouldn't matter but they do take age into account, at least the places I've applied to.
Quote:Original post by necromancer_df
Looks pretty good, one thing I might add would be your date of birth. I left it off mine before and had loads of people (and companies) tell me to put it on. I guess they think you might be trying to hide something (really old or really young). In an ideal world it wouldn't matter but they do take age into account, at least the places I've applied to.
I believe in the States its illegal for a potential employer to ask that.
Quote:Original post by necromancer_df
Looks pretty good, one thing I might add would be your date of birth. I left it off mine before and had loads of people (and companies) tell me to put it on. I guess they think you might be trying to hide something (really old or really young). In an ideal world it wouldn't matter but they do take age into account, at least the places I've applied to.
I've never seen anyone put their birthdate on their resume in the US. I don't think potential employers are even allowed to ask you about your age here.
(Edit: Beaten to it! :)
Quote:Original post by xanin
I believe in the States its illegal for a potential employer to ask that.
I think this is true.
Quote:Original post by foreignkidQuote:Original post by xanin
I believe in the States its illegal for a potential employer to ask that.
I think this is true.
Yup, it's against federal law:
In a nutshell, employers should not be asking about your race, gender, religion, marital status, age, disabilities, ethnic background, country of origin, sexual preferences or age.
On the other hand it might cost you a job if you refuse?
Refuse to answer the question which might cost you the job if you are very uncomfortable with the question. However, consider whether you really want to work somewhere where you are asked questions that are not appropriate.
Quote:Original post by daviangelQuote:Original post by foreignkidQuote:Original post by xanin
I believe in the States its illegal for a potential employer to ask that.
I think this is true.
Yup, it's against federal law:
In a nutshell, employers should not be asking about your race, gender, religion, marital status, age, disabilities, ethnic background, country of origin, sexual preferences or age.
On the other hand it might cost you a job if you refuse?
Refuse to answer the question which might cost you the job if you are very uncomfortable with the question. However, consider whether you really want to work somewhere where you are asked questions that are not appropriate.
One exception to this is if you work for a company that does government contracts that require it. For instance, you might have a job in which you are required to deal with information that cannot be disclosed to non-US citizens: see NOFORN in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classified_information_in_the_United_States#Unclassified .
Anyway, back to the topic- any further recommendations on the resume?
This topic is closed to new replies.
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