Help with Resume

[HoosierGuy]

I'm looking for a new job and want to get my resume up on some job sites including a Federal jobs site.

I got in contact with a guy in the other ward who helps with job searches and such. He said my resume was not bad and sent some pointers and said he would dissect it more in a few days.

Here are some of the pointers he sent me:

The 10 worst canned phrases to use on a resume:

1. Results-oriented professional

2. Cross-functional teams

3. More than [x] years of progressively responsible experience

4. Superior (or excellent) communication skills

5. Strong work ethic

6. Met or exceeded expectations

7. Proven track record of success

8. Works well with all levels of staff

9. Team player

10. Bottom-line orientation

So if you really are a results-oriented professional, who has exceeded expectations while working as a team player, what are you supposed to do? Write it in real words. Your own words.

If you want to make a good impression, there is one thing you should never include on your resume: a cute, amusing, hip, witty or clever e-mail address. Why? It looks so unprofessional that it could actually be a career killer.

I think he got that from some web site.

Here is some bullet points I have on my resume:

• Trained to run production lines.

• Office work – Time sheets and Late Reports.

• Oracle and spread sheets.

• Able to run various wrap machines.

• Praised about attention to detail.

• Excellent attendance.

So should I get rid of "Praised about attention to detail" and "Excellent attendance"? If so how can I say them differently? Or do I leave out "praised" and "excellent attendance" all together?

Before I got laid off I was praised about my attention to detail (actually too much, I wanted perfection from machines that could not produce it). I also had excellent attendance.

Thanks!

Edited May 26, 2010 by HoosierGuy
Spelling

[john doe]

How about 'my coworkers commented on my OCD and how I always showed up to work'?

[FairChild]

Couple of crazy questions: Did your perfection to detail create problems such as machines being down to tweak them causing loss of production or any other problems and why were you laid off?

[HoosierGuy]

Laid off because of low work. I was told and picked up that if it's between running crappy product but at or above rate, or running good product at below rate, go for the crappy product at above rate. I can't really work that way. I want perfection. However I was told what I was doing was not all that important to the customers.

Yeah, my attention to detail did cause me to run below rate. The supervisor liked me tho. When I wasn't doing that I was doing some of his boring office work - typing numbers in a computer for hours. At least I got to sit down in a cubicle.

[HoosierGuy]

Yeah, then the supervisors secretary trained me to do some of her stuff too! So I was doing his boring office work and her boring office work.

[pam]

It's also about attitude. Instead of thinking I had to do his and her boring work..you have to turn that to a positive and think..I was given the opportunity to learn some new things which would strengthen my resume.

Edited May 26, 2010 by pam

[Mahone]

I'm looking for a new job and want to get my resume up on some job sites including a Federal jobs site.

I got in contact with a guy in the other ward who helps with job searches and such. He said my resume was not bad and sent some pointers and said he would dissect it more in a few days.

Here are some of the pointers he sent me:

The 10 worst canned phrases to use on a resume:

1. Results-oriented professional

2. Cross-functional teams

3. More than [x] years of progressively responsible experience

4. Superior (or excellent) communication skills

5. Strong work ethic

6. Met or exceeded expectations

7. Proven track record of success

8. Works well with all levels of staff

9. Team player

10. Bottom-line orientation

So if you really are a results-oriented professional, who has exceeded expectations while working as a team player, what are you supposed to do? Write it in real words. Your own words.

If you want to make a good impression, there is one thing you should never include on your resume: a cute, amusing, hip, witty or clever e-mail address. Why? It looks so unprofessional that it could actually be a career killer.

I think he got that from some web site.

Here is some bullet points I have on my resume:

• Trained to run production lines.

• Office work – Time sheets and Late Reports.

• Oracle and spread sheets.

• Able to run various wrap machines.

• Praised about attention to detail.

• Excellent attendance.

So should I get rid of "Praised about attention to detail" and "Excellent attendance"? If so how can I say them differently? Or do I leave out "praised" and "excellent attendance" all together?

Before I got laid off I was praised about my attention to detail (actually too much, I wanted perfection from machines that could not produce it). I also had excellent attendance.

Thanks!

The reason they have said not to use those phrases (or anything like them) is because they contain what are known as "buzz words". These are words that are used to impress, and are usually pretty vague because they don't mean anything in reality. Don't include them if at all possible on a resume/CV.

What you need to remember is that the headhunter/recruiter looking at your resume has probably got another 100 of those to go through for the same position. They see those buzz words day in and day out. They become meaningless. What really makes your resume stand out is detail. Go into specifics. Don't say "work well with all levels of staff", this means nothing. Instead explain why. What have you done which makes you think you work well with all levels of staff? Tell them. Rather than say "excellent attendance", tell them why you think you have excellent attendance. For instance, "for the last two years of my previous job, I did not take any time off sick" or similar sounds far better than "excellent attendance". Being vague almost seems like you are trying to hide something.

If you have good attention to detail, then your CV should back this up. Using buzz words isn't really paying attention to the details. What did you do with Oracle and spread sheets for instance? Because your resume should only be one page, two at the very most, you'll have to prioritise which points you give more detail about (obviously these will be your biggest achievements).

Edited May 26, 2010 by Mahone

[HoosierGuy]

What about a spotty work history with some large gaps in between jobs?

Should I put down something like this for example:

South Bell - April 2002 to July 2003.

AT&T - April 2005 to May 2006.

Verizon - March 2008 to April 2009.

Or should I omit the dates and years all together? I guess my work history looks more like a mothers history - have a kid, take a few years off, go back to work, have a kid, take a few years off, go back to work, etc....

I grew up in a large family and have been given many things in my life, including adult life. Plus family members invested in stocks for me and I've made a few dollars that way when I was not working but I've lost too so I really didn't make much money. Just enough. Now I'm in a bind trying to make a good resume and don't have all that much work history to put down. I worked, took time off for cruises and travel, worked, took time off for cruises and travel, etc... Only really good thing is my collage degree.

[Mahone]

What about a spotty work history with some large gaps in between jobs?

Should I put down something like this for example:

South Bell - April 2002 to July 2003.

AT&T - April 2005 to May 2006.

Verizon - March 2008 to April 2009.

Or should I omit the dates and years all together? I guess my work history looks more like a mothers history - have a kid, take a few years off, go back to work, have a kid, take a few years off, go back to work, etc....

I grew up in a large family and have been given many things in my life, including adult life. Plus family members invested in stocks for me and I've made a few dollars that way when I was not working but I've lost too so I really didn't make much money. Just enough. Now I'm in a bind trying to make a good resume and don't have all that much work history to put down. I worked, took time off for cruises and travel, worked, took time off for cruises and travel, etc... Only really good thing is my collage degree.

I wouldn't omit the dates, they'll pick up on that missing detail straight away and question you on it if you're shortlisted. What I would do instead is give a very brief explanation of what you were doing during those dates, and what you were learning / contributing by doing what you were doing. They don't want to know your life history, basically they just want to know you didn't just sit on your bum doing nothing during that time you weren't in paid employment.

[HoosierGuy]

And what's the most important thing about a Cover Letter?

[Mahone]

And what's the most important thing about a Cover Letter?

In the cover letter, take the job description/requirements you have been given and mentally put it into bullet points, if it isn't already. Your job in the cover letter is to explain and give detailed evidence as to why you can do each and every one of those bullet points in the job description. Like the resume, don't make it too long. Two pages at absolute max, preferably one.

That's what the recruiter will do anyway. They have a copy of the job description, and they go through every applicants cover letter/resume and tick off the bullet points in the job description when the applicant has provided evidence (either through job/misc experience or qualifications) they can do that part. The applicants with the most (or all) points ticked get into the first short list. You'll make it easier for them to do yours if you effectively give all your evidence in order on the cover letter.

Edited May 26, 2010 by Mahone

[bl8tant]

For me, I want to see a properly spelled, grammatically-correct cover letter that indicates why I'm getting this resume. Does the applicant think she's a good fit for my company's needs? Is he super-enthusiastic about whatever technology or process we're hiring for? Or is he just spamming the world with form cover letters? The more personalized a cover letter seems to be, the more likely I am to pay careful attention to the attached resume instead of just skimming it. For a great example of this principle in action, see HOW TO: Land Your Dream Job Using Google AdWords. That guy has mastered personalization and targeting!

[Soulsearcher]

I just got laid off a few weeks ago and my company set me up with an out placement counselor. I had my first appointment today. If you want, as i learn, i can give you some of the pointers they give me.

[Mahone]

For me, I want to see a properly spelled, grammatically-correct cover letter that indicates why I'm getting this resume. Does the applicant think she's a good fit for my company's needs? Is he super-enthusiastic about whatever technology or process we're hiring for? Or is he just spamming the world with form cover letters? The more personalized a cover letter seems to be, the more likely I am to pay careful attention to the attached resume instead of just skimming it. For a great example of this principle in action, see HOW TO: Land Your Dream Job Using Google AdWords. That guy has mastered personalization and targeting!

Lol, he certainly did. I know a guy who went above and beyond in his job search. Apparently he redesigned the application form he was given, and sent back his own design. He got the job, and has been in that role for many years now. Doing things like this can have a negative effect though, so be careful.

[Guest zainism]

Using a sample resume will help you get the insight that you need to create a phenomenal first impression. With a little due diligence on your part, you can work to enhance yourself, your skills and your performance in the initial application process to help ensure that you land the position that you want. All these things working in tandem will help you get the job that you need in no time at all. here are few more tips on how to make a resume for you.