resumes

[blastedbill]

when i was in college, i took a class about caree building, resume writing, and such things. i got a very good grade on my resume and have used that template ever since. they told us to do several things, NEVER have it more then 1 page, only put the last two jobs you want the potential imployers to see, and list the skills you want them to see

Comments

[renniekins]

The resume of a college graduate should look quite different than the resume of somebody who has been in a professional field for awhile. (My perspective is from reading resumes of potential software developers.)

If you've been working for, say, 10 years, I'd want to see that companies and job titles listed for all those years -- so I know you're dependable and you've had a lot of experience. You don't need to go into detail on the "irrelevent" jobs, but I like to know how and when you've been employed.

Also, if you've been working for many years I'd expect a resume that's 2 or 3 pages long. Although I'll also expect everything I'm most interested in to be on page 1.

[thatguychuck]

If you have a weak spot, get help. There's a lot of people you know (self included) that would happily go over a resume for you.

I did a LOT of research online the last time I was doing major resume work. It paid off, and I'm still very happy with my resume because of it. If you want to go this road, plan on spending at least four or six hours doing reading, and tweaking of your own resume. Six hours is definitely worth it if you get a job because of it.

Many changes since school

[pooh27bear]

I also did a single page resume for many years. It showed the last 3-4 jobs, and skills, not much else. In the last 3-5 years things changed, a lot. They now want more information so they can give you a better look. Plus they want a cover letter that tells them the basics that the old 1 page resume did. I have gone through a few short classes on this a couple years ago. My new resume is 4-6 pages (depends who I am sending it to), and the cover letter. It's annoying, but it's now the way they want it done.

[flutterby68]

I used to do resumes professionally. If you'd like me to take a look, let me know.

[blastedbill]

actually i was going to post asking if any one was willing to help me revamp mine. Maybe this is why I wasn't able to get a job after a year of search when i was on unemployeement. I realy want a steady income.

[flutterby68]

Sure... I'll take a look and update it for you. Would be easier if we were in the same place to do it so that I could ask you questions as needed, but you could email it to me as well.

[uplinktruck]

I've hired lots of people in my time. One the first things that kept people from graduation to the interview stage was unexplained gaps in employment.

It's a different world now. With employers worried about litigation from bad employees, theft and out right fraudulant resumes/applications they'll skip over the people with spotty work histories for those showing a solid verifiable background.

It may not be right. You may not like it, but that is the way it is.