Resumes

[Jeanne]

Does anyone here know how to do a professional resume? Not one thrown together in Word, I mean a real good resume? I already have one, but would like to update it with my new skills, and maybe make it look a little more professional.

If you have experience with making them please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I just recently took a class that discussed it a little. I have been told mine looks very professional. If you would like to email it to me at [email protected] I can take a look for you and hopefully give you some pointers.

 

[PaulSage]

Jeanne, I look at the templates in MS Word, but format it myself. Word screws up a lot of crap and leaves you little room for adjustments with the templates so I just use tables and/or the 'tab' key. I've redone my resume several times, had two classes that covered them, and have read a zillion of them at a previous job. One thing I'd mention is that there is resume "protocol" and then there is what each HR manager likes to see. They're not always the same. Here's just my tips or guidelines:

Keep it to one full page. If you can't fill the page, you're not detailing your qualifications, experience & education enough. If it's more than one page, you're telling too much--save the rest for the interview.

Avoid vague or ambiguous words. Using the two-dollar words appropriately to describe yourself and your goals is more powerful and concise. For example, instead of saying "... because I am a hard worker," say something like "...due to my commitments to both productivity and efficiency."

Write your resume FOR the job you're applying for. This might mean writing six different resumes for six different jobs. Figure out what qualities the job requires, and emphasize those in your resume.

10 pt. Arial font looks the best (in my opinion) although it does take up a little more space than Times New Roman. Avoid excessive text-formatting, and don't use bold, italics and underlining. Pick the one that looks the best and stick with it. (I'd put your full name in 12 pt. at the top though.)

High-quality "resume" paper. Not card stock or anything nuts, and I'd avoid using colored paper other than a very pale grey unless you're applying for a job in art. I still think black text on high-quality white paper looks the most professional.

Finally, have at least one other person proofread your resume. What doesn't seem awkward or wordy to you might to other people, and their feedback is valuable.

I guess that's all I can think of off the top of my head. I hope it helps!

 

[Jeanne]

I guess I should mention that my resume was done prfessionally, it is pretty good, at least I think so, but I wanted to add some new job skills.

1 page, really? Mine is 2 pages right now. I will try to upload it so you can see it.

 

[Jeanne]

Arggh, I can't upload a word document

 

[Scott&Nikki]

You DEFFINATELY want it just 1 page. Also like Paul stated, high quality paper is the best and easiest way to make your resume stand out in a large pile. Multiple pages is many times "not worth their time" to read in their opinion. Getting them to look at your resume is obviously the first step. If you can't get them to even look at it, why even bother with the guts.

I cannot think of the name of the paper, but a former employer of mine told me he puts resumes with this paper at the top of his reading list. The name escaped my memory but its that expensive paper with the water mark on it.

 

[Jeanne]

I do actually have Resume Paper at home, but 99% of employers have you send it to them electronically now.

I am going to work on making it 1 page today.

 

[Jeanne]

I just recently took a class that discussed it a little. I have been told mine looks very professional. If you would like to email it to me at [email protected] I can take a look for you and hopefully give you some pointers.

I just emailed it to you

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I do actually have Resume Paper at home, but 99% of employers have you send it to them electronically now.

Another note on that. You should do a cover page specific to each employer, if you haven't already. You can find information how to do that all over the web specific to different job types.

I will check my email now.

 

[PaulSage]

Another note on that. You should do a cover page specific to each employer, if you haven't already. You can find information how to do that all over the web specific to different job types.

Ooh, good call. I forgot that part. That reminds me that I like to have a separate sheet with all of my references listed on it. Usually, if I'm turning it in I'll ask them if they would like a list of references, otherwise I would just bring it to the interview. (I format the header on the resume itself the same as the references page)

Jeanne, I'd be happy to take a look at it too if you want.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Jeanne,

Your resume looks good to me. If you can get it down to 1 page you should be good. I would have Paul take a look at it also. He may have some idea of what would be best for you to omit in order to shorten it, plus another point of view never hurts. Good luck!

 

[Jeanne]

Paul,

I just sent you my Resume, Cover Letter (That I change depending on the customer), and my References

 

[PaulSage]

Paul,

I just sent you my Resume, Cover Letter (That I change depending on the customer), and my References

Cool. I'll take a look at it and send you something back.

 

[SteveB]

There are also professional writing services out there... may be worth considering as an investment in your future

 

[Scott&Nikki]

There are also professional writing services out there... may be worth considering as an investment in your future

She mentioned before that it was originally done by a professional.

 

[SteveB]

Oops, missed that. Well it's still an option to go back to that person/service for revisions...


I really miss applying for private sector jobs... my latest application is coming in at around 12 pages...

 

[Jeanne]

I contacted a company a few months ago about updating my resume, and they wanted $200 to update it. Which I think was a ridiculous price.

The person that originally did mine, was a friend who happened to do job search classes and stuff at B.U. when I worked there. I lost contact with her after leaving B.U. about 6 years ago.

 

[SteveB]

$200 is pretty ridiculous for an update... I could see $60-80 which seems to be the going hourly rate for this sort of thing....

I'm paying quite a bit for my resume... first time I've needed one in years... and I'm also having someone work with me on the rest of my application... I hope it helps....

 

[Jeanne]

$200 is pretty ridiculous for an update... I could see $60-80 which seems to be the going hourly rate for this sort of thing....
QUOTE]

Thats what I thought, she told me that my resume needed to be totally redone. She was full of crap :main_yes:

 

[PaulSage]

Aside from a "thank you" here and there, the most I've ever gotten for doing or re-doing someone's resume was a 6-pack.

(I thought it was a pretty good deal)