[Rise To The Top]

I am trying to help a friend of mine apply for a job, and he was self emplyed for a while, and doesnt have a copy of his original resume from a while back. What is the format for it, and what should go on there? For job history, how far back should we go?

 

[rxc]

Tough question, I think it's best to keep your resume neat. Make sure you have your contact info, position that you seek, and skills you bring to the table. For job history I would only list stuff relevant to the type of work you're seeking.

A short cover letter also helps.

Remember the employer might just skim the resume so make it easy to understand in one quick pass.

 

[saint.panda]

Just a small thing but I would write custom-tailored CVs for each different job/industry instead of using one master CV for everything.

As for how far back he should go, it really depends on his current age and experience.

 

[flashnolan]

For job history you should go back as far as space permits. You want to look like you have been very busy (and I am sure you/he has) over the last several years. You don't want large amounts of white space, but don't over crowd it in the same breath. Important information to include would be name, address, email, schooling, past jobs, and any awards or acclimates earned. No two resumes are identical, but you should structure it so that all that information is easy to read and neat.

 

[GAD]

I've interviewed lots and lots of people over the years. Here's what you need to know from inside my brain (*scary place warning!*). Usually when hiring one person I'd get literally hundreds of resumes. Here's how I filter them:

If there is even one typo it goes in the trash (This is HUGE and it happens a LOT)
If it looks sloppy it goes in the trash

What I want to see:

What you've DONE. Not necessarily what you know, but what you've DONE.

Unless you're right out of school, put your experience first, with the most current first.

Don't lie - I'll know. If you get to me for an interview and you can't back up what's on your resume, you're toast and I'll let the recruiter (if there is one) have it too.

Some will say personal information is bad - I disagree. I want to know that you have a balanced life. This helps interviewers like you, which is far more important than many people realize.

All hiring managers and companies are different. I hire people - not certs or schooling. If I believe you've got the right personality, I'll hire you. I can mold you in to a position if you've got the right attitude and aptitude.

If you're a PhD with a CCIE and a bad attitude, I'm not interested.

GAD

 

[mtkversion]

KEYWORDS, KEYWORDS, KEYWORDS.

 

[Illah]

If you're simply looking for a format then Google is your friend. There are all sorts of templates out there.

Depending on the industry you can get all Web 2.0 about it - just use a LinkedIn profile as a resume. It's basically laid out exactly how my resume used to be, even with everything in the same order

It's like a resume-for-web, but most people don't treat it that way.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/guykawasaki

That's a Silicon Valley player so he's got a load of things listed. For most people you'd just have a few companies but more detail for each, as opposed to a dozen companies with a blurb each.

--Illah

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

What you've DONE. Not necessarily what you know, but what you've DONE.

Absolutely, I want to know what you have done to make your previous employer more profitable, efficient, or increase his market share. As far as format you should have different resumes for the various jobs you are applying. Go to the library and borrow a couple of how to books.

 

[Seaside]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Absolutely, I want to know what you have done to make your previous employer more profitable, efficient, or increase his market share. As far as format you should have different resumes for the various jobs you are applying. Go to the library and borrow a couple of how to books.

That's right. I agree.

My question is... do you honestly belive those claims?
I mean, sure, he could say he improved something by what percent by doing this and that, and that sure looks good. But how can you be sure that's 100% correct at what basis? How can he measure that? Isn't it because of good fellows he had in his team but he is trying to take all credits for him? What if he turned out to be a cuuning egoist that puts him on top of everybody? And, why the hell he needed to submit you a resume if he is that good at his previous work? This guy should be promoted or scouted by other companies a long time ago. So he didn't have to submit resume to your company. Sometimes, it's too good to be a true.

I honestly do not believe if somebody said something like "Because of my hard work...." unless he can show me nice backups like impressive history of awards, recognitions and credits. I would belive if he said "Due to fine members of my team and their help, I was able to do...."

That's my thought.

 

[3x331m]

You're selling your skills and capabilities. So, you should know your customers and give them what they want.

You don't sell me a horse when I need a car.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaside /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's right. I agree. My question is... do you honestly belive those claims? I mean, sure, he could say he improved something by what percent by doing this and that, and that sure looks good. But how can you be sure that's 100% correct at what basis? How can he measure that? Isn't it because of good fellows he had in his team but he is trying to take all credits for him? What if he turned out to be a cuuning egoist that puts him on top of everybody? And, why the hell he needed to submit you a resume if he is that good at his previous work? This guy should be promoted or scouted by other companies a long time ago. So he didn't have to submit resume to your company. Sometimes, it's too good to be a true. I honestly do not believe if somebody said something like "Because of my hard work...." unless he can show me nice backups like impressive history of awards, recognitions and credits. I would belive if he said "Due to fine members of my team and their help, I was able to do...." That's my thought.

Lets see, the job of a supervisor is not so much to produce but to assemble a cohesive team with smart and motivated individuals. Then he must provide the spark to keep that team motivated as well as providing the "tools" so each of the team members continuous being productive. So if such a supervisor by putting together such a team causes the performance numbers to improve then he/she should take credit for it.

Now, that supervisor may need to relocate to a whole new area or into a new industry. Well in such cases he/she may not have the contacts and needs to send out a resume.

 

[dvw]

Best way is to copy the target employer's requirement and write your resume according to it.

I write my resume customized to the job I'm applying for so I don't over qualify or under qualify.

 

[Rise To The Top]

Thanks for all the advice, we are nearing completion now. Just have to read over it and make sure nothing is out of place. Once again, thanks for the help guys.