My resume
- Thread starter ReefWreak
- Start date
Ding2daDong
New member
I am no resume expert but it seems a bit plain. I think maybe a full border instead of just the top line might help it a little. I have yet to make a resume so I am not sure how I would change it. My old english professor has a phd in linguistics/english and is really good at this stuff. Is it okay if I send him the resume and see if he will critique it? Let me know.
-Matthew
-Matthew
ninjamini
New member
First what kinda job are you looking for? What field, Doing what? Summer job, a full time job or a career?
Next you need to get a resume program that makes formatting easy. The formating is not an issue but it looks like you are creating your own organization.
Objective:
The objective is not what kinda of a job you want but what you want to do professionally. For example "retail position" should be what you want to do for the retailer. Like:
Utilize my knowledge of home theater, consumer electronics, networking and whole house entertainment integration to drive sales and create business.
But remember if you are going to use jargon make sure that you use it correctly. If you are unsure of a word or how to properly use it don't. Better to leave them guessing that you don't know something than to prove it.
Education:
You have this as a focus of your resume, its one top. But business finance has nothing to do with selling home theater. Move it down after work experience. Drop the GPA. Unless you have a 3.7 or better best to leave this out.
Relevant coursework:
This is not relevant to your objective.
Work experience:
Your internship was only 1 month that looks odd to an employer. Why only 1 mo?
At each job what were your big achievements. Numbers matter. Also list your title unless its one that has no meaning then re-title yourself to something that makes sense for the industry.
"Processed sales orders" - change to something like "worked with 30 customers to insure..."
"Worked in an assembly line learning business structure" - what did you achieve for the employer with that knowledge.
"Purchased and installed computers, computer networking supplies, and other electronics products specialized for the office’s needs" -- Developed office network for 20 users...
Skills:
Be more specific. Able to use MS office, Web server, C++, Cobol.....?
To me it looks like you have never had a real job. I am guessing your 21. That will work against you. Why do you want to sell home theater, which is very near and dear to my heart. Who do you want to work for selling home theater?
Ya know it does not fit with you major. Is it just because you want to have some fun? I would recommend against it. I work with retail and have for 12 years. Its a lousy job with bad pay and no real future. I really would suggest getting a job in the field that you want to make you career.
Next you need to get a resume program that makes formatting easy. The formating is not an issue but it looks like you are creating your own organization.
Objective:
The objective is not what kinda of a job you want but what you want to do professionally. For example "retail position" should be what you want to do for the retailer. Like:
Utilize my knowledge of home theater, consumer electronics, networking and whole house entertainment integration to drive sales and create business.
But remember if you are going to use jargon make sure that you use it correctly. If you are unsure of a word or how to properly use it don't. Better to leave them guessing that you don't know something than to prove it.
Education:
You have this as a focus of your resume, its one top. But business finance has nothing to do with selling home theater. Move it down after work experience. Drop the GPA. Unless you have a 3.7 or better best to leave this out.
Relevant coursework:
This is not relevant to your objective.
Work experience:
Your internship was only 1 month that looks odd to an employer. Why only 1 mo?
At each job what were your big achievements. Numbers matter. Also list your title unless its one that has no meaning then re-title yourself to something that makes sense for the industry.
"Processed sales orders" - change to something like "worked with 30 customers to insure..."
"Worked in an assembly line learning business structure" - what did you achieve for the employer with that knowledge.
"Purchased and installed computers, computer networking supplies, and other electronics products specialized for the office’s needs" -- Developed office network for 20 users...
Skills:
Be more specific. Able to use MS office, Web server, C++, Cobol.....?
To me it looks like you have never had a real job. I am guessing your 21. That will work against you. Why do you want to sell home theater, which is very near and dear to my heart. Who do you want to work for selling home theater?
Ya know it does not fit with you major. Is it just because you want to have some fun? I would recommend against it. I work with retail and have for 12 years. Its a lousy job with bad pay and no real future. I really would suggest getting a job in the field that you want to make you career.
ninjamini
New member
I hope that all did not sound harsh. Resumes are very important. They get you in the door to be interviewed.
So here is what you should do. For each bit of work experience come up with 6 or 7 big achievements. Those things that make you stand out from the crowd. Things that say hey he did that for Dr. Hermon I want him to do that for my company. I want that level of ability.
Education: List the major and minors
Skills: Be specific
Activities: Put what leadership rolls you held.
post it pm my me or email me at ninjagator2000 at yahoo dot com.
So here is what you should do. For each bit of work experience come up with 6 or 7 big achievements. Those things that make you stand out from the crowd. Things that say hey he did that for Dr. Hermon I want him to do that for my company. I want that level of ability.
Education: List the major and minors
Skills: Be specific
Activities: Put what leadership rolls you held.
post it pm my me or email me at ninjagator2000 at yahoo dot com.
First off, I'm looking for a summer job, something where I can use my current business skills and develop new business skills as well.
I only used that format because it was suggested to me by the Career Center here at FSU. They suggested most of it to me and then I modified it to look pleasing to my sense of organization.
The jargon thing, I'm usually a pro at it, especially after reading enough Dilbert to fill volumes of text. I tend not to use it because my roommate who I have proof my papers and resumes and such really flips out and says that companies don't want "useless embellishments or needless complexity" in there.
Education: I included business finance in the hopes that by stating my major it would show that I was on the track for management or that it made me stand out more. Interesting perspective putting it further down the list. I'll definitely drop the GPA after that suggestion.
Relevant coursework:
I figured that business statistics and business computing skills would be helpful because they show that I have basic skills that could relate to sales figures and sales/record keeping on computers and even just that I have an understanding of computers in case I need to use one for anything, including POS skills.
The internship was only one month because it was part of a Highschool program. I don't know if I could continue it at another time, or if it would even look favorable now, since it's Engineering and I've changed to Business from Eng, but I really did enjoy it while I did it. Lots of work, but I love Industrial Engineering because it makes so much sense.
I'll look into improving the list of achievements. Did the engineering internship achievements sound good?
I'll label skills more clearly, however I'm only really well versed in MS office, all versions of windows, and have a basic understanding and am comfortable operating in a Unix/Linux based environment. I do not know HTML, but I can work the creation programs (dreamweaver,etc) and a lot of jobs don't ask to know HTML, just know your way around their creation programs. I know tons about hardware specifics and functions, but I don't quite know how to describe that in depth.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About having a real job, no, I have not, unfortunately. That's why I'm trying to get at least some experience at a real job. I'm kind of embarrassed by how "new" I am to this.
I'm really very thankful for your guys' help.
For those of you who help me out, I'll keep you guys posted with changes and updates, and bounce ideas off of you guys if you don't mind. BTW when I come down, if my corals are doing well, I'll be happy to frag out to those who helped me, as you're going out of your way to help me, and it's only fair for me to reward you back. I think I still owe ninjamini a frag of the UF monti
I only used that format because it was suggested to me by the Career Center here at FSU. They suggested most of it to me and then I modified it to look pleasing to my sense of organization.
The jargon thing, I'm usually a pro at it, especially after reading enough Dilbert to fill volumes of text. I tend not to use it because my roommate who I have proof my papers and resumes and such really flips out and says that companies don't want "useless embellishments or needless complexity" in there.
Education: I included business finance in the hopes that by stating my major it would show that I was on the track for management or that it made me stand out more. Interesting perspective putting it further down the list. I'll definitely drop the GPA after that suggestion.
Relevant coursework:
I figured that business statistics and business computing skills would be helpful because they show that I have basic skills that could relate to sales figures and sales/record keeping on computers and even just that I have an understanding of computers in case I need to use one for anything, including POS skills.
The internship was only one month because it was part of a Highschool program. I don't know if I could continue it at another time, or if it would even look favorable now, since it's Engineering and I've changed to Business from Eng, but I really did enjoy it while I did it. Lots of work, but I love Industrial Engineering because it makes so much sense.
I'll look into improving the list of achievements. Did the engineering internship achievements sound good?
I'll label skills more clearly, however I'm only really well versed in MS office, all versions of windows, and have a basic understanding and am comfortable operating in a Unix/Linux based environment. I do not know HTML, but I can work the creation programs (dreamweaver,etc) and a lot of jobs don't ask to know HTML, just know your way around their creation programs. I know tons about hardware specifics and functions, but I don't quite know how to describe that in depth.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About having a real job, no, I have not, unfortunately. That's why I'm trying to get at least some experience at a real job. I'm kind of embarrassed by how "new" I am to this.
I'm really very thankful for your guys' help.
For those of you who help me out, I'll keep you guys posted with changes and updates, and bounce ideas off of you guys if you don't mind. BTW when I come down, if my corals are doing well, I'll be happy to frag out to those who helped me, as you're going out of your way to help me, and it's only fair for me to reward you back. I think I still owe ninjamini a frag of the UF monti
lessthanlights
New member
if your gpa is "only" 3.15 then don't put it on there. you may have the same qualifications as someone else but they may have a 3.9 . . . . . . guess who as better chance.
also a little "style" may help . . . . here is mine. if you have all the text i can design it like mine for a frag or two . . . .
resume
also a little "style" may help . . . . here is mine. if you have all the text i can design it like mine for a frag or two . . . .
resume
ninjamini
New member
I am not trying to be hard on you but when you write it think about how someone who does not know you will read it.
Call out big achievements. How you made a difference. How you will help there business. Thats what a resume is...a way to sell you self on how you can help there business.
If I was hiring for a sales associate I would look at his knowledge of home theater but I would focus on there ability to be responsible and just plain shop up for a job and there ability to sell.
Since your work experience's are not paid its not really work. Change that to professional experience.
So let me ask the $100,000 question...what do you want to be when you grow up? Which is little more than a year away.
I don't think its in sales.
Call out big achievements. How you made a difference. How you will help there business. Thats what a resume is...a way to sell you self on how you can help there business.
If I was hiring for a sales associate I would look at his knowledge of home theater but I would focus on there ability to be responsible and just plain shop up for a job and there ability to sell.
Since your work experience's are not paid its not really work. Change that to professional experience.
So let me ask the $100,000 question...what do you want to be when you grow up? Which is little more than a year away.
I don't think its in sales.
You would definitely be right, it's not in Retail Sales. Dude, if I knew what I wanted to be when I grow up, the world would be a much easier place for me. Does anyone ever know what they want to do when they grow up? My dad still tells me that he doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up, and he's in the big league making big $$$ (not literally a baseball player).
I know you're not trying to be hard, and you're not being hard. You're asking the right questions, and that's what I need to hear, and I really appreciate you asking them.
I'm going to go back and work on the application and think of some things that I can do to point out specific achievements that I can talk about from those professional experiences.
Thanks again,
Eric
I know you're not trying to be hard, and you're not being hard. You're asking the right questions, and that's what I need to hear, and I really appreciate you asking them.
I'm going to go back and work on the application and think of some things that I can do to point out specific achievements that I can talk about from those professional experiences.
Thanks again,
Eric
ninjamini
New member
I'm 38 and I think about what I do on a regular basis. Is this right for me?
You want my real advice. Get a job working in the kinda place you might work after graduation. If only making coffee. That way you can decide if you want to work in that environment. You will also have some contact to the industry when you get out.
Man what I would give to go back to where you are now.
Now I would not do it. I'd miss the kids too much....o and the wife too.
You want my real advice. Get a job working in the kinda place you might work after graduation. If only making coffee. That way you can decide if you want to work in that environment. You will also have some contact to the industry when you get out.
Man what I would give to go back to where you are now.
Now I would not do it. I'd miss the kids too much....o and the wife too.
Ok, ignoring the fact because you go to FSU (I go to UM) haha, you seem like a nice kid so I don't mind helping you. I am 20 and am currently a student so I can definitely send you mine and let you know what it looks like. Its solid, I had it critiqued by my human resources manager and I have tons of relevant job experience, in fact, I am currently a business valuation and litigation intern. Hopefully this will help you, I have been in your position and getting a job is hard when youve never had one. Also, buy some really nice off white paper. I don't know if you are going to a career fair but if you are put yours in a nice envelope, it looks more professional and will stand out a bit in a stack of papers.
As for the whole does anyone know what they want to be when they grow up question, I did since I was 5 (aerospace engineer) then I changed my major at the last second and now I am double majoring in management and finance.
I will post my resume when I get home if you'd like so you know what other kids resumes your age looks like.
As for the whole does anyone know what they want to be when they grow up question, I did since I was 5 (aerospace engineer) then I changed my major at the last second and now I am double majoring in management and finance.
I will post my resume when I get home if you'd like so you know what other kids resumes your age looks like.
Titus, I would be interested in seeing your resume as well. If you feel uncomfortable posting it on here, feel free to PM me and I'll send you my email address. I suppose I can look past the fact that you go to UM, especially since I've got other friends there as well. I'll take your resume's comparison into consideration.
Ninja, I'll see if I can find an internship doing finance or something relevant to the business world over the summer. My g/fs boss owns a medium sized family owned business that maybe I could get a full-time summer internship with, or I could look into something at Jackson Memorial since I've already worked there. Also in Boca there are tons of companies, and one has to be looking for an intern, right?
Ninja, on the whole "Man what I would give to go back to where you are now." I bet you're envious that I've started investing in my Roth IRA too
Even though I don't have a job, I just set aside part of my tuition scholarship money and invest about $900 or so a year. I've been told by many people now that starting early is the best idea/investment you can make as far as retirement, or any early investment at all.
Thanks again for more input, it's always appreciated!
Ninja, I'll see if I can find an internship doing finance or something relevant to the business world over the summer. My g/fs boss owns a medium sized family owned business that maybe I could get a full-time summer internship with, or I could look into something at Jackson Memorial since I've already worked there. Also in Boca there are tons of companies, and one has to be looking for an intern, right?
Ninja, on the whole "Man what I would give to go back to where you are now." I bet you're envious that I've started investing in my Roth IRA too
Even though I don't have a job, I just set aside part of my tuition scholarship money and invest about $900 or so a year. I've been told by many people now that starting early is the best idea/investment you can make as far as retirement, or any early investment at all.Thanks again for more input, it's always appreciated!
jeffbrig
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9765335#post9765335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWreak
I've started investing in my Roth IRA too
Does scholarship money count as "earned income" for purposes of ROTH contributions? I was under the impression that you have to show actual wage income, other sources don't necessarily count.
Mel, I'd be happy to help out. I'll let you know when I'm down again. I don't know if I'm considered "qualified" to give you financial information, but again, I'm happy to help out where I can.
Jeff, my other roommate told me that as well. What I'm thinking of doing instead, as a workaround, is putting the $900 into my current mutual funds (if I can buy in at that... usually anything over $500 you can add in to a mutual fund you currently own) and then pump out $900 of that as "income" and put it into the IRA. I believe that should be legal, as I've made more than $900 easily in mutual funds as profit since I purchased them a few years ago.
Jeff, my other roommate told me that as well. What I'm thinking of doing instead, as a workaround, is putting the $900 into my current mutual funds (if I can buy in at that... usually anything over $500 you can add in to a mutual fund you currently own) and then pump out $900 of that as "income" and put it into the IRA. I believe that should be legal, as I've made more than $900 easily in mutual funds as profit since I purchased them a few years ago.
jeffbrig
Premium Member
ReefWreck, investment income doesn't count for ROTH purposes either. Tread carefully here...
Back to the resume. I've done a bit of campus recruiting (graduates and even post-grad) for my employer. I'm in engineering, so some of the things I suggest might not apply to you, but I'll share a few thoughts.
As far as education, state the degree you are seeking, then put your expected graduation date. For example:
BS/BA in Juggling
Florida Clown College Tallahasse, FL (Sorry, I'm a Gator
)
Expected Graduation: May 2008
When I'm handed a resume from a student that doesn't list their GPA, my first assumption is that there's a reason the information is being withheld.
As others have mentioned, the objective statement will be very important, especially if you are seeking something that's not related to your field of study.
For short term employment, I really like how lessthanlights used "Summer" to describe the dates of employment. Great idea!
In the future, when you submit a resume for work in your field field, the goal should be to show why you are better than the guy that sat next to you in class. You took all of the same classes, so what sets you apart? I see so many resumes that can be boiled down to just a name and a degree. That's why you want to show experience (could be work experience, or even a major school project) that separates you from everyone else. If you're having a hard time coming up with something today, set out to do something in the next year that you can use.
Here's a good example: I was in a similar situation as an engineering student with no work experience in my field of study. When I couldn't get an internship my last summer, I signed up for a graduate level course in robotics and worked on my own major project. I put that project experience front and center in my resume. Guess what I got to talk about extensively in every interview I gave that fall? I knew it like the back of my hand, and every company I interviewed with made me an offer. Taking that class was probably one of the smartest decisions I have ever made.
Back to the resume. I've done a bit of campus recruiting (graduates and even post-grad) for my employer. I'm in engineering, so some of the things I suggest might not apply to you, but I'll share a few thoughts.
As far as education, state the degree you are seeking, then put your expected graduation date. For example:
BS/BA in Juggling
Florida Clown College Tallahasse, FL (Sorry, I'm a Gator
)Expected Graduation: May 2008
When I'm handed a resume from a student that doesn't list their GPA, my first assumption is that there's a reason the information is being withheld.
As others have mentioned, the objective statement will be very important, especially if you are seeking something that's not related to your field of study.
For short term employment, I really like how lessthanlights used "Summer" to describe the dates of employment. Great idea!
In the future, when you submit a resume for work in your field field, the goal should be to show why you are better than the guy that sat next to you in class. You took all of the same classes, so what sets you apart? I see so many resumes that can be boiled down to just a name and a degree. That's why you want to show experience (could be work experience, or even a major school project) that separates you from everyone else. If you're having a hard time coming up with something today, set out to do something in the next year that you can use.
Here's a good example: I was in a similar situation as an engineering student with no work experience in my field of study. When I couldn't get an internship my last summer, I signed up for a graduate level course in robotics and worked on my own major project. I put that project experience front and center in my resume. Guess what I got to talk about extensively in every interview I gave that fall? I knew it like the back of my hand, and every company I interviewed with made me an offer. Taking that class was probably one of the smartest decisions I have ever made.
Similar threads
