Writing a resume?

[Myrrh_Quetz]

Anyone mind giving me some pointers to writing a resume? Since I've been ill most of my life, I've never really worked and so I've never had to write a resume and now that I can work I need to write one but have no clue how to go about it. lol

I'm trying to be a security guard, my doctor recommended it to me as being a nice and easy job for two reasons. 1, the broken back so I won't do heavy lifting, and 2, the exercise. I have my license and am good to go.

I'd really love any kind of help.

[boo]

nvm

[Gredival]

It's easier to critique if we have a sample. Can you upload like a sanitized version? Preferably like a screen cap or a PDF. Formatting/presentation is important.

[Talint]

Anyone mind giving me some pointers to writing a resume? Since I've been ill most of my life, I've never really worked and so I've never had to write a resume and now that I can work I need to write one but have no clue how to go about it. lol

I'm trying to be a security guard, my doctor recommended it to me as being a nice and easy job for two reasons. 1, the broken back so I won't do heavy lifting, and 2, the exercise. I have my license and am good to go.

I'd really love any kind of help.

Some general broad points:

Full name + address + ways to contact you clearly defined and easily readable.

As you don't have work experience, in it's place put "Relevant Experience" and outline things you've done that you think relate to being a security guard.

Add any relevant skills you think are necessary.

Outline your education.

Some resumes put "References Available Upon Request". If it were me, I'd try and somehow secure the references ahead of time; mostly because if you're being a security guard with no previous work experience, they're going to need to know you're not shady.

[Cream Soda]

One thing to keep in mind is if you ever get in a position where you have to handle somebody @.@


That being said, best of luck

[Osede]

Usually, and what most career center ppl would suggest, is about the order of listing. List out the experience/education/skill that is the most important to the job you apply, then follow by the others. So the interviewer will not has a hard time to look on it, else most likely they will just throw it away.

[Sqwunk]

This was a good thread I keep saved to refer back to for myself

http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/696...-a-Resum%C3%A8

Keep it 1 page maximum for this point in your life, if they pick it up and see they need to do a lot of reading they won't even bother.

[Acturus]

A friend of mine from college built this website:

http://www.emurse.com/

It's come in handy for a number of people I know, myself included.

Actually, I think I mentioned this website in the previous resume thread.

[Khajit]

You could check the dept of labour if you have one. Any company claiming your resume sucked will then have to deal with some angry government officials in charge of whether or not the company is allowed to exist.

[Ddz]

I look at resumes all day long, so I am just going to barf out what I personally like to see: A preferred method of contact is #1 (phone or email? When can I call?) I like to see a summary of skills (what can you do? this should relate to what you want to do, or tailor it to the job you're trying to get). You'll likely be looking for an entry level position, so I'd say that's what you're looking for. Points on you describing yourself as "coachable and ready to learn/be taught/wanting to work would be great. Then, for work experience I like to see Name of Company, When you worked there, and a short summary of your role there. Listing achievements and important accomplishments is also OK. If you haven't worked, listing personal projects or volunteer stuff is OK. Same list applies. Listing your highest education achieved is required for most places, so do that too References available on request only, and make sure and let those people know that someone may be calling on your behalf. Tbh I always really like it when people list a few personal hobbies too, but that's optional I guess. Don't write anything about your health stuff. The point of the resume is to win you an interview and allow you a more personal experience with the company who is hiring. Hope this helps!

Almost forgot...I hate it when people condense their resume to 1 page. What the fuck is that shitty rule? I pay attention to what you did for the last ~10 years, so however long that takes to write, don't skimp out, because I will be asking you about everything on there. ALSO, don't leave any gaps in history. If there are gaps, take the time to write a quick sentence about why you weren't working at that time. If I see a 2yr gap on your resume, it is going into the trash.

[Skjie]

Shitty fonts/colours are the first thing that causes me to throw out resumes. Spelling mistakes, gaps in past jobs and irrelevant stuff (Seriously, I'm hiring you for IT Helpdesk, don't tell me about your line cook qualifications) are the next reasons.

[Jaybar]

A good sans serif and serif font make a good resume (I personally like Myriad Pro, Century Gothic and Georgia). Grammar must be perfect - it doesn't matter what job you are seeking.

Use hierarchy. If everything is the same font size/spacing, it will look boring and unimportant.

[Khamsin]

Shitty fonts/colours are the first thing that causes me to throw out resumes. Spelling mistakes, gaps in past jobs and irrelevant stuff (Seriously, I'm hiring you for IT Helpdesk, don't tell me about your line cook qualifications) are the next reasons.

But what if you do have a gap in past employment? I've been out of work for over 2 years (licensed civil engineer) and still applying for jobs as an experienced professional engineer, but haven't been having much luck. If it's because of not being employed the past 2 years, then, well, that's a bit of a catch-22. The experience part of my resume begins with my last job in 2009.

Luckily though, unemployment and savings has been keeping the mortgage paid, but that will end in a few months. I need to figure out how to get myself hired back into the career I've been in for 10 years (minus the last two).

[Kohan]

Almost forgot...I hate it when people condense their resume to 1 page. What the fuck is that shitty rule? I pay attention to what you did for the last ~10 years, so however long that takes to write, don't skimp out, because I will be asking you about everything on there. ALSO, don't leave any gaps in history. If there are gaps, take the time to write a quick sentence about why you weren't working at that time. If I see a 2yr gap on your resume, it is going into the trash.

Hate to break it to you, but you're in the minority. It's nice that you're cool with sitting down, kicking back, and sipping tea while you're reading an essay disguised as a resume, but hardly anybody else—if anyone at all—feels the same way.

Don't listen to this advice. They may be an employer, but most employers do not have the time to deal with that shit. Exposition is what cover letters are for. Keep your resume short and to the point.

EDIT: Oh, and do write a cover letter. You would be amazed as to how many people never do this. It helps set you apart, and beautifully so. Don't ramble on and on, however; every paragraph should have a point, and they should lead neatly from one into another.

[Zetanio]

But what if you do have a gap in past employment? I've been out of work for over 2 years (licensed civil engineer) and still applying for jobs as an experienced professional engineer, but haven't been having much luck. If it's because of not being employed the past 2 years, then, well, that's a bit of a catch-22. The experience part of my resume begins with my last job in 2009.

Luckily though, unemployment and savings has been keeping the mortgage paid, but that will end in a few months. I need to figure out how to get myself hired back into the career I've been in for 10 years (minus the last two).

It's only bad if you don't explain the gap. Don't be overly thorough but get your point across directly.

[Khamsin]

It's only bad if you don't explain the gap. Don't be overly thorough but get your point across directly.

I figured the explanation would be in the phone interview (these days I get phone interviews, last time I was employed, they just had you come in for a regular interview if they liked your resume).

Am I supposed to explain it on the resume, itself? Write in there "Economy sucks, few responses to my applications, and my interviews haven't resulted in being hired"?

I generally have been a good interviewer, too, in the past. So I don't know what the problem is that I couldn't land something for 2 years, other than perhaps its just my industry is doing poorly at the moment.

[Skjie]

But what if you do have a gap in past employment? I've been out of work for over 2 years (licensed civil engineer) and still applying for jobs as an experienced professional engineer, but haven't been having much luck. If it's because of not being employed the past 2 years, then, well, that's a bit of a catch-22. The experience part of my resume begins with my last job in 2009.

Luckily though, unemployment and savings has been keeping the mortgage paid, but that will end in a few months. I need to figure out how to get myself hired back into the career I've been in for 10 years (minus the last two).

What have you done while looking for work? Any self employment projects? Volunteer? Education? If you've just spent 2 years doing nothing but looking for work and have nothing else to show for it, it doesn't look great to me. That said, I'm not hiring Civil Engineers.

[Churchill]

That's a retarded opinion

[Myrrh_Quetz]

What exactly does someone like me write on a cover letter? The last job I had was 10 years ago at a place I can't even remember.

[Zetanio]

Put your educational history, explain your medical situation in depth, add ANY relevant experience (Work or personal)