Resume critique needed

[zimmerDN]

I've been out of school for 3 months now. I have a bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering and I have no engineering experience.

I am having a hard time finding work, hell I am having a hard time just getting an interview. In fact, I haven't had a single interview yet with the 100 resumes I sent out.

I figure there must be something wrong with my resume so I need your help.


edit: this is the latest revision, bash away!
http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=68743

 

[Uncle Erik]

I couldn't get through to your resume, but it probably isn't the problem. Just sending out resumes won't get you a job.

The best jobs I've had (including the one I have now) I got through knowing people and networking. I know, that sounds awful when you need work. If you don't know anyone in the field, you need to meet some.

Seeing that you're an EE, have you thought about getting an amateur radio license? You already know most of the test- just learn the procedures and a few frequencies, and $10 will get it for you. Go to local meetings and get on the air. You *will* meet other EEs. You'll get to know them, and you will get a job.

Also, do you have any opportunity to temp in your area? That's a great way to meet people. You'll make some money and even if you're replacing someone on two weeks vacation, odds are your employer will know others in the field and put you in touch.

Again, don't worry so much about your resume. You need to meet and make friends with someone who will give you a recommendation or a job. That's the important part.

 

[zowie]

I'm not in the engineering profession, but I participate in hiring decisions in my field. What stands out for me are:

Most of what is listed under your "Objectives" are not actually objectives. Makes one wonder about your logic and organizational ability.

There's something about having the word "Lego" appear at the top of your list of achievements . . . .

The language skills belong at the bottom, they're not that important to your job and, ironically, the section is ungrammatical! "Fluent in reading" ???

I think the cover letter needs a major rewrite and should be shorter.


Doesn't your school have an office that provides this sort of assistance?

 

[Jahn]

The country of Readingo has its own native language. Are you making fun of folks who can speak perfect Reading? The Readingonians would be upset!

I'm only Conversational in Reading myself.

 

[zowie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn The country of Readingo has its own native language. Are you making fun of folks who can speak perfect Reading? The Readingonians would be upset! I'm only Conversational in Reading myself.

Take a ride on the Reading.

 

[vibin247]

I would have to agree with Uncle Erik in that it's who you know that's important when it comes to finding a job. I myself have been in the job market since June of last year, and haven't been able to find a steady job (Especially when you have Fine Art degree, and it's even tougher when the competition in the Media field is so high), because many recent college graduates have a hard time finding work. I've revised my resumé a couple of times, and submitted it to Monster.com, CareerBuilder, craigslist job listings (which is a great source, by the way), and other job search sites. I've gotten bites from employers (mostly from marketing companies, sales oriented employers, and management teams), but most of their positions didn't interest me.

The best thing to do is to give it some more time. Do what Uncle Erik says, and go out there and meet people through temp work, pro bono (if you can afford it), or in another field of work that interests you that can help you stand out from the other people who are competing for the same line of work.

I myself have decided to go back to school so that I can start on working on what I really want to do: cinematography/director of photography for films and television. Working in the film/television industry was something that I had thought about for a while, and wasn't sure if I wanted, until now.

 

[Asr]

Like already said, you can't ONLY send out resumes. Go and bother a specific company, get a name, call someone, something, or even talk to the receptionist. Make a personal connection with a handful of companies. The more aggressive you are the more likely you'll get hired.

That said:

- the Education part needs a slight rewrite: note when you actually got your degree, not the years of when you went to school, something like this: "Graduated December 2005"
- re-order the Achievements, I agree with the Lego comment
- Employment History should go right after Education, not the bottom of the page, followed by Technical Skills, Achievements, and Language Skills
- Employment History should also be in reverse chronological (the third item is newer than the second)
- delete the "References: Available Upon Request" line, that's just stating the obvious
- you also need to overhaul your cover letter. Of course you need to state certain things about yourself, but a good cover letter addresses what you can do for the company, and what you can bring to the table...it's not a bragging spot. A good cover letter doesn't look like a generic form letter you drafted to send out to 100 companies, it should be tailored specifically to the company you're applying for.

 

[marvin]

First off, you have a lot of grammatical mistakes in your opening page. Lots of missing commas, and other wording errors. Get someone to help you rewrite and proofread this section.

I see college and dates, but no GPA. Unless it's really bad, that should be listed. Putting your major concentration would also be good.

As noted earlier, your Objectives aren't objectives. They're more or less experience.

Achievements are okay, but "Lego Maniacs" is fairly unprofessional, and should be struck. There's no need to list your team name. Also, list your Senior Design (Capstone, whatever they call it there) project and indicate it as such. Detail down to the part # and method used is unnecessary.

For Technical Skills, it's obvious that you have overstated some of your capabilities. Not many have "in depth" knowledge spanning diverse subjects such as as C++, Verilog, and Autocad. More likely, you have good knowledge in one area, reasonable knowledge in for some of them, and a passing knowledge of the others. Also, it should be assumed that you know how to use basic instruments if you're a ECE, so saying that you know how to use a multimeter is unnecessary. And unless you are a certified solderer, you don't know how to solder at the professional level.

Since you're a new grad, check to see if your school as contacts with engineering recruiters, having a job fair, or anything of the sort. Those can be very useful in finding a job. Sending resumes is the hardest way to get things done, and most that are sent in cold are quickly dismissed, unless there's something spectacular about the candidate. Regardless of how good you really are, your resume would not merit a second glance.

 

[zimmerDN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvin First off, you have a lot of grammatical mistakes in your opening page. Lots of missing commas, and other wording errors. Get someone to help you rewrite and proofread this section.

I will work on that.


Quote:

I see college and dates, but no GPA. Unless it's really bad, that should be listed. Putting your major concentration would also be good.

My GPA was 2.9/4.0 so should I put that on? I don't think it's good at all.


Quote:

More likely, you have good knowledge in one area, reasonable knowledge in for some of them, and a passing knowledge of the others.

I want to put those skills in two catagories. Is that a good idea and what would you label them?

Quote:

Also, it should be assumed that you know how to use basic instruments if you're a ECE, so saying that you know how to use a multimeter is unnecessary. And unless you are a certified solderer, you don't know how to solder at the professional level.

Well I put that there just because I can't really think of other technical skills. Maybe I can put my other skills i gained in my work experience (like customer relations skills and troubleshooting)? Would that be appropriate?

Quote:

Since you're a new grad, check to see if your school as contacts with engineering recruiters, having a job fair, or anything of the sort.

Anyone know of any website that lists job fairs coming to town? The only way I know a job fair is coming is through school postings and i am already out of school.

 

[JahJahBinks]

My advice is to google for sample resume on the internet, then tailor yours.

 

[zimmerDN]

Should my objective statement in my resume tailored to each specific job? I understand the need to tailor the cover letter each time. But is that also necessary for resume part (such as changing the objective each time).

 

[ken36]

Ask yourself:

Where in the country am I needed? GO THERE.

Where in the hemisphere am I needed? GO THERE.

You get the idea. Try offshore oil. Try Iraq. Megabucks there, I bet.

PAY YOUR DUES. IT WORKS.

 

[tennisets]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmerDN The only way I know a job fair is coming is through school postings and i am already out of school.

Usually a school's career center helps recent graduates find work as well. Does your school not do this? If they do, that is where you should go first.

 

[viator122]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmerDN Should my objective statement in my resume tailored to each specific job? I understand the need to tailor the cover letter each time. But is that also necessary for resume part (such as changing the objective each time).

You should find out from your school's career counselor whether an objectives statement is even necessary for your industry. I'm a law student and they tell us that it is pointless to put an objectives statement on a resume because it's obvious you want to work as a lawyer.

 

[marvin]

It looks like you are applying to both IT and engineering companies. If so, I would at least tailor an objectives statement for IT and a seperate one for engineering. The cover letter should be tailored towards each job, but remember to keep it short.

As for your GPA. 2.9/4.0 is borderline. Usually the advice is to put it on there if it's a 3.0/4.0 and up, but my thinking is that not putting it there at all makes recruiters think "worst case". I'd include it. If you took the SATs, include that too if you scored over 1200. A fair amount of interviewers asked about it when I was looking for a job.

As for skills, I put mine in two catagories. I did something like "Areas of Concentration" and "Other Skills".

Big picture though, if you're looking for an engineering job, then you're odds aren't great. Your previous jobs seem to be in IT, your GPA isn't great, and you don't have many contacts. Your best hope here would be to take Ken36's advice. That or to go grad school, do some research, and do a lot better there school-wise.

If you're looking for IT, hit up your coworkers and boss at your previous jobs and see if they know anything that's coming around.