Resume,If you have hired someone before please read

I think the format got messed up in the cut & paste – especially in the work history area. Could you post an image of the resume, or a link to somewhere that it is posted?

-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

To much to read

-- Jim, Kentucky

Okay I have a link.

-- Wood,clay,metal, and stone are all just materials, until an artist's hand touches them.--TreeFormDesign

not everything is lined up perfect on the link but it is close.

-- Wood,clay,metal, and stone are all just materials, until an artist's hand touches them.--TreeFormDesign

I agree with Peter O’s comments about an image of the resume, because image is a big part of a resume. I’ve been particularly successful at getting interviews and getting positions because of a variety of reasons. First, I’ve got a lot of experience and a lot of talents that the employer wants. However, even if you’ve got a great work ethic and a lot of great talents and experience, that doesn’t get your foot in the door if your resume doesn’t look good. How you present yourself to a perspective employer says a lot what kind of employee you would be, which leads to my second point. My resume looks great, and I’ve gotten lots of compliments about it because it’s well structured, it’s easy to read, the grammar is correct, the formatting is consistent and because I use tags to grab a person’s attention. Grabbing someone’s attention and keeping it is incredibly important.

That said, I think you’ve great a lot of great experiences, but they read like a grocery list. Simply listing that you have 3 years of experience on a particular tool or program doesn’t say much, because you may only be using that a couple times of year, which doesn’t imply proficiency. One of the tricks you can use to hold someone’s attention is to be specific with how often you used a tool or technique. If you used a forklift every day, then specifically say that you used it every day. A forklift is a dangerous machine and I know a friend’s uncle who was killed in a forklift accident. An employer wants to know that you can use a forklift safely, so knowing that you used one every day for more than a year implies proficiency and puts you ahead of someone who may have only used one once a month or less.

I’ve got lots of other bits of advice on resumes that I’ve learned the hard way ad that I’d be happy to share. If you want more help, I’d be happy to look more at your resume. Just send me a personal message and you can email me a copy of the resume. I may not be able to offer specific advice to your field (I am, after all, a woodworker by hobby, and not by trade), but at least I can offer advice on structure.

Tim

maybe lose the jobs that don’t pertain to the work you’re seeking, unless those positions are relevant/have transferable skills (management or what have you)... Keep the resume to one page, Tighten up all the white space, any information that is critical but cut from the resume should be mentioned in the cover letter.

“As you can see from my resume…, but what is doesn’t show it…”

I’ve seen hundreds of poorly formatted resumes (which is fatal when hiring a Graphic Designer!) and many similar ones… It’s often come down to a cover letter for me to decide who actually gets to come in for an interview.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

coming from someone who has been there, you need to be prepared to explain the yearlong jobs. There are a lot of them, and that scares employers. You have to address that before you even get in the door, otherwise they see you as a floater. I know in the IT world it can be a little different, but you still want 2-3 years at places.

-- If you can't build it, code it. If you can't code it, build it. But always ALWAYS take a picture.

Thanks for posting the link. Sounds like good experience from a variety of industries. Remember that if anyone is hiring, they will have a lot of choices, especially right now. If I’m looking at 100 resumes, what makes me pull yours out of the stack?

I haven’t been in a position to hire for a long time, but here’s what I like to see:

• Three pages: cover letter, resume, data
• Cover letter: tell me briefly why you want to work for my company specifically, and why I want you to work for me.
• A non-generic resume – If you are applying to companies in different industries, you should have a resume targeting each industry.
• The first thing on your resume should make me want to read the rest of it – consider a one or two sentence recap of your cover letter
• Resume should contain relevant work history, relevant education, relevant experience, relevant awards (targeted to the industy)
• Contact info – mailing address, email address, phones
• Data page with references, other education, other experience, other awards, community involvement, etc
• A copy of letters of recommendation can be attached to the back

I’d say tidy-up and tighten-up a bit. “Experienced with a full range of woodworking tools and equipment” tells me as much as a list of tools, and if I’m in a hurry to read 100 resumes I don’t want to read a list. I know what tools I will want you to use, and if I want to put you on the lathe, I’m going to ask you about your lathe work in the interview, whether or not you specify it on your resume. Also, you need to give full (but brief) information about anything you want me to consider. For instance, you got the “Excellence in Sculpture” award in 2001 – from what organization or competition? If you tell me where the award was from, I probably won’t check, but if you don’t tell me, I’ll wonder if you’re making it up. “Excellence in Sculpture, ACME Art Exhibition, 2001.”

Best of luck – it’s a hard time to be looking for work.

-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

I used to be in a position to hire about 25 people a year and in charge of about 60 people. I have seen a lot of resumes. As per your request I will be critical but I hope I do not sound like a jerk.

You have great experience and a lot of information to communicate. As a hiring supervisor I have no time to read your 4-page resume. Make it one page. Think about ways to condense the topics. Merge the Work History and the Experience- Work Related sections. You may want to customize your resume to the position. Get rid of any jobs that have nothing to do with the position you are trying to fill. Remove: Financed School Myself, Auto Body Tech School and High School”. These are achievements that you should be proud of but if you graduated from college I am pretty sure your graduated from high school. Put your GPA on the same line as you college experience. If it is 3.0 out of 3.0 then write it, if it is 3.0 out of 4.0 consider not writing it, if it is 3.0 out of 5.0 do not write it.

Do you have any hobbies besides art? Sometimes slipping a hobby that has nothing to do with the job helps start a conversation. I once hade a great conversation with a guy who listed that he was an EMT. Sometimes it is a good way for the hiring supervisor to break the ice. You have so much experience that I would likely talk to you more about your hobby than about your work experience. That is because I need to know what type of person you are. Maybe I run a small shop of close, friendly people. I need to know if you are going to disrupt the harmony of the work environment. Which brings me to my last point. Frankly you scare me. Most of your experience in different companies is about one year long. As the interviewer I would be concerned that you are a flight risk. Are you going to come to my shop, allow me to spend time and money training you and leave within a year? Be prepared to explain during the interview why you left the jobs.

I am going to shut up now.

-- A famous poet once said: “There is a name hidden in the shadow of my soul, the name is wood. Sweet, ever beautiful, earth grown wood. It warms my heart and brings a tear to my eye.”

Thanks for your input so far. Luckily I am employed at the moment in a granite conter-top company. I am just trying to get my resume ready because I want to get back to a woodshop. Just trying to get ahead of the game that way when people start hiring again I can move towards something I am more passionate about.
But for now, I need to be developing a cover letter, consolidating and paragraphing my work experience, Going into more detail on my experience in the field of work and how often I worked with the equipment, and eliminating some of the jobs that don’t pertain to that field. If I eliminate some of the jobs will it not appear that I have a gap in my work history?

-- Wood,clay,metal, and stone are all just materials, until an artist's hand touches them.--TreeFormDesign

Ganders, I was at outback steak house for 7yrs the first 4 I was in school and after school I worked there for an additional 3 yrs during those 3 I also ran a business of my own for a year. So how do I make this area of my resume not look so flighty. which after that I worked at millers for a year to only have him not pay me on a few job is this something that I would bring up in a job interview to explain my leaving after only a year and I went back to my previous job at outback to end up at the Dj’s fine meats job while still working at outback eventually I told them to quite scheduling me at outback so I could work at djs full time after a year or so they went out of business because of economy. I am still receiving w2 from outback even though I haven’t worked in over a year I ‘m just not scheduled. If this was your story how would you play it in a resume

-- Wood,clay,metal, and stone are all just materials, until an artist's hand touches them.--TreeFormDesign

Joshua sounds like he’s in the same position as I am, except quite a bit younger and more expereience in a couple things such as CAD and granite work, but I can tell you it’s tough geting your foot in the door, I really don’t know what employers think, personally I don’t think they have a clue. I think maybe too much experience means your too smart and they would actually have to pay you a liveing wage to keep you there. Sorry, but I see too many employers nowdays geting filthy rich off of other peoples hard work at a poverty wage. It’s not geting any better out there.

Amen brother

-- Wood,clay,metal, and stone are all just materials, until an artist's hand touches them.--TreeFormDesign

Your resume has to be relevant/tailored to the position you are applying for – you have a wide range of experience, but some of it may not be relevant to position you are applying for. Remove the non-relevant material from document.

Employers search through hundreds if not thousands of resume a day – they make short lists of candidates based upon what they read in the first few paragraphs – the remaining resumes are placed in the trash. Put yourself in the employers position what information are they looking for, too short list you! NOT War and Peace and not what you think is relevant or are proud of, if it is not relevant.

Use Buzz words relevant to the position, if they want a CNC operator, it no good pushing your Metal Casting experience. One sheet of paper, highest relevant qualifications (if you have a BA, then a high school diploma is a forgone or even unnecessary statement), not your complete education history, most recent positions of work and experience (as a short, snappy sentences – not bullet points).

Offer a full resume upon request, you may want to include high quality photographs of projects designed or made by yourself.

Running out of time – pick up the points from the other guys – they are all relevant. DO NOT LIE, but sometimes do not tell the whole truth if not asked. Sabbaticals are good for 3 to 6 months breaks in work, but not too many

-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)

I also have had to review resumes in my job as well as having to submit them. My take:

1. YES! Target your resume and keep it short – 1, maybe 2 pages max. If necessary, carry a longer resume with you to interview
2. General format – contact info at the top and isolated; relevant education; relevant job experience; awards/hobbies/professional orgs
3. NO! references – those you take to the interview with you
4. package should be 1 page cover letter, 1 or 2 page resume and nothing else. Use short, snappy sentences in the cover letter and bullets on the resume.
5. Be meticulous – one spelling or grammatical error sends it to the trash!

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

Quick and Critical….

Shorten your presentation.

Great advice so far….

If you sent this to me, I’m busy and have about thirty of these to go through.

If you are looking at a position specific resume.

Tell me what you can do for me in your cover letter…. (Find out what I need and tell me that you can do that for me.)

I’m highly productive technician with excellent finish skills for lower cost and satisfied customers. I have a history of on time completion, within budget, etc…

Tell me your experience that adds value to my business.

5 years Experienced Production Manager with a record of exceeding customer expectations while achieving corporate goals through improved sales, controlling expenses and developing procedures to attain high employee efficiency and productivity.

Tel me what you accomplished as a key achievement (s) at your previous employment,

Crazy Custom Counters Inc. Job tilte: Production Manager

Responsible for daily production, supervised 12 employees and subcontract labor for custom kitchen counter shop.

Key Achievements:
 Applied Lean Six Sigma DMAIC methodology for improving performance.
 Prepared metrics reports for employee cost, efficiency, productivity and bonus incentives.
 Developed system for monitoring materials usage, job costing, inventory management.
 Chaired multi functional teams for project development and implementations.
 Served as key leader in departmental turn around and net profit goal realizations.

Giving me an inventory list of their tools doesn’t do anything for me…Tell me what you can do for me…

Give me your education last. Mostly, that’s where I’m looking for it on a resume’ Autobody and High School become somewhat irrelevant with your college degree.

College. Don’t tell me how you paid for it, unless I ask about your part time or short term work history… Working your way through college is very noble. In a resume too much risk of a negative interpretation.

DON’T UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES….....

Don’t tell me how you couldn’t get paid at your last gig… My buddy may work there, cousin, sister etc…
Even if they don’t…
You may have a legitimate gripe but it could also sound like you might be a drama waiting to happen at my shop. The guy I just let go did nothing but complain….

If you’re posting on a job web, your tool listing should be replaced with a job skill listing perhaps under a heading like ” core competencies include .Computer skills, CAD, EPA Certified finishes etc…

Above all … Spell Check then recheck… “Job title” and “job tilte” are two different things….

Hope the advice helps, good luck with your search.

Q

-- I don't make sawdust...I produce vast quantities of "Micro Mulch."

Hello Josh, I am Terry Roswell your near neighbor in Livingston, AL. I have not read your resume yet but have read the comments of my fellow LJ’s. I have a MA in Human Resources and have hired and written a few resumes along the way. I have learned a few basic truths that may help you here.

First, your resume will get from one to 3 minutes initial review by any prospective employer. Therefore, you have to be relevant and concise.

Second, you need a cover letter that explains why the employer should spend precious time looking at your resume.

Third, your résumé should be one to two pages however…you can include as much “supplemental information” as you like. This actually makes the interviewer’s job a little easier because the info is in his/her hands if wanted.

Lastly, make sure your résumé’s format and content is direct, accurate, and relevant to the job and organized.
Start with personal info, them work history and contact info and end with education, awards, projects etc.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

Josh, The format you used does not flow well. It is going to be hard for a prospective employer to read.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

Josh, If you are interested I can give you a format that has worked well for me and others I have helped. If you would like it send me a message and I’ll copy it to you.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

a first glance it appears that you have 17 years of work experience, attended a trade school and earned a 4 year degree….and worked 7 years at outback… don’t exaggerate. Here’s what I’ve found if you can’t show up in person for the very first meeting, sending a resume is a shot in the dark in these trades. The first thing a prospective boss wants is a eager worker, one who will do what needs to be done. If you accept these jobs you’ll quickly become the bosses best friend, someone they can count on. You will be amazed at how quickly you’ll be asked to take on more responsibility. Some jobs will not be a good fit for whatever reason, I wouldn’t dwell on this.
I also have a BA and went went to work as a illustrator doing adds for a telephone directory in Seattle right out of school. I began literally on a Tuesday, that Friday as I walked past the piers I noticed a help wanted sign for a fishing boat hanging from a chain link fence, Saturday I took the drug test and physical and Sunday evening we were sailing for Alaska on the Northern Victor. Work over the next few years took me from feedlots to logging outfits, I consider this life experience and my story always got me in the door.
Now if you showed up one day and explained that you put yourself through college working at Outback, well I for one would be interested, who doesn’t like Outback.

-- If knowledge is not shared, it is forgotten.

“Ganders, I was at outback steak house for 7yrs the first 4 I was in school and after school I worked there for an additional 3 yrs during those 3 I also ran a business of my own for a year. So how do I make this area of my resume not look so flighty. which after that I worked at millers for a year to only have him not pay me on a few job is this something that I would bring up in a job interview to explain my leaving after only a year and I went back to my previous job at outback to end up at the Dj’s fine meats job while still working at outback eventually I told them to quite scheduling me at outback so I could work at djs full time after a year or so they went out of business because of economy. I am still receiving w2 from outback even though I haven’t worked in over a year I ‘m just not scheduled. If this was your story how would you play it in a resume”

Looking this section again I would take others advise from above. Try to condense it and highlight the relevant history. For example you may want to have a section titled “relevant history” and another that reads “additional experience”. List the relevant history first. During the interview you may get a leading question like “I see you worked for Outback?”. That’s a perfect time to quickly explain that you work there for 7 years and held another job at the same time.

I like Harold’s advice about having a story about your other experiences. It shows that you work hard and are committed to bettering yourself.

This is awesome…next time I go for I job I am putting my resume up for review. There is some great advice above.

-- A famous poet once said: “There is a name hidden in the shadow of my soul, the name is wood. Sweet, ever beautiful, earth grown wood. It warms my heart and brings a tear to my eye.”

Wow in less than a day I have had approxomitly 256 people look over my resume, I never expected so much feed back this is amazing. I really do appreciate everyone’s help. I was a little down yesterday when I realized that I had been approaching this the wrong way. But today I have realized by doing this that I have gain years of world experience that I would have had to learn the hard way. I don’t know what to say other than thank you. I have a lot of rewriting to do. I have always blamed the fact that I cannot get into the right shop because people don’t appreciate a degree and that it doesn’t hold its weight. But the truth of the matter is no matter how many degrees you have if you don’t explain to someone how your degree will help them or your experience then yes it is worthless. So I need to quite blaming it on everyone else and convey what they need to hear. I have what they want I have just never told them in a straight forward fashion. Again wow and thank you guys. I hope this has also helped someone else out there. This is what it is all about family and taking care of each other.

-- Wood,clay,metal, and stone are all just materials, until an artist's hand touches them.--TreeFormDesign