What's wrong with my resume?

[Alan Dayley]

Joseph said many things that I wanted to say on this topic.  Let me add
another voice to his.

Joseph Sinclair said:
> I  have a few general comments on the topic.
> 1) A lot of entry-level people list too many skills.  Some experienced
> people do the same thing.  List your top 4-10 skills very simply.  Try to
> make sure the skills you do list match the job you're applying for.  That
> means you'll generally customize the resume to each position, rather than
> sending out the same generic resume every time.  Since you're customizing
> the resume for each application, make sure it's clear you aren't faking
> things.  Make sure your job history is essentially identical, with only
> skills listed and similar minor items changing.

I agree but even would go further.  Every resume you send must be tailored
to match the job you are applying for.  Every one.  The only time they
will exactly match for two different positions is if the job description
is exactly the same.

How can you do this and why?  Before you send the resume and cover letter
you should have already researched the company.  Everything you can know
about their products, their market, there strengths and weaknesses. 
Everything you know about the position.  All of this knowledge shows that
you really want the job and that you are willing to work to get it.  And
that knowledge needs to show in the cover letter and the tailored resume
to that company and that position.

Yes, you should have more "general" resumes to give out when you don't
know what the distination company or position is.  Like to give to friends
to hand out.  But, if you know the company and the position, change the
resume to highlight the experiences, training, whatever that matches that
company and that position.  It's work.  Do it.

> 2) This is more for experienced people, but it might apply.  Some people
> have a gap in employment, it's a good idea to address this directly,
> either by listing what happened during that time as a "position" (i.e. a
> sabbatical, independent work, etc...) or by listing it as a time spent on
> personal growth or family support, if applicable.  Basically, don't just
> leave an unexplained gap, if you can explain it without revealing anything
> too personal.  Try to make your explanation fit within an overall career
> plan.

Good advice.

> 3) Don't be afraid to pursue the offbeat opportunities.  There's a good
> Blog at (http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career/index.rdf) called "Notes
> From The Toolshed" by Matthew Moran, where you can find more on this
> topic.  He also has a good book out, "The IT Career Builder's Toolkit:
> Your Complete Guide To Building Your Technology Career In Any Economy",
> that you may find very enlightening.

I'll have to look into that book, thanks.

> 4) Don't be afraid to really pursue opportunities you do find.  If you
> think there's a good fit between a company's need and your skill, then go
> after it.  It's very hard to do this, I know, but you'd be surprised how
> much it can improve your success rate if you do the really hard things
> that others are unwilling to do.

Exactly.  As I said in point 1: Do your homework.  What if, in your cover
letter, you described a hypothetical problem that that company and that
position would have to solve.  And hinted at a good solution.  And then
asked to get an interview to discuss this solution?
- You just showed you know the things the company does.
- You just showed you can imagine the problems that must be solved.
- You just showed you can create problems and sell the solution.
- You just showed you did your homework and you want the job.

Most people do not make this extra effort.  It will help you stand out.

> 5) Don't expect to get a position by sending in a resume for an ad, you're
> more likely to find work through a personal contact than through an ad.

You must network.  No, not string CAT 5 cable around.  Network with
people, on the phone, everywhere you can.  Don't ask for jobs, ask if they
know of a job.

"The opposite of networking is not working."

Every good job that I was happy to do came from knowing someone who knew
of the job.  That is all but one position in my career.

> 6) Everyone has trouble getting a resume that companies respond to.  A lot
> of this is because companies are really ineffective at hiring technology
> professionals; mostly, I think, because the hiring process is geared to
> business types (aggressive, managerial or sales background,
> people-oriented, etc...), and technologists rarely fit that mold.

HR looks for buzz words.  Use them.  But ONLY use them if you can back it
up with actual knowledge and experience.  HR may not know what Java or
cron means but if the hiring manager said he needs that and your resume
doesn't say that, you will not make it to the interview.

> 7) Keep trying.  It is hard work, and it may take a long time, but you'll
> never get that dream job if you give up.

Take the "OK" job to earn money while you keep looking for the dream job. 
I did that for a while once.  It's better than wondering how to buy
groceries.

> 8) Kudos for asking this question.  I've seen a lot of people go for years
> with a resume that wouldn't land a job at a cannery, all because they
> weren't willing to ask for review and advice.  The most effective job
> seekers I've met have everyone they can review their resume.  They get
> more feedback, which helps improve the document, and on rare occasions the
> person looking it over might know of an opportunity for which you're a
> perfect fit.

A really agree with this but also caution to be careful.  My father was a
certified resume writer (http://www.nrwa.com/index.htm) before he retired.
 Resume formatting and wording standards change regularly.  Find someone
like an HR person or a certified resume writer to tell you about format,
wording and such technical details.  Take all the other people's input
about content, ease of reading, look, first impressions and that kind of
stuff.

One final resume tip from my tired brain: Use action verbs.  Always.  Your
resume should never have "is" or "was" or "worked on" or "did."  It should
have "created" and "solved" and "designed" and "planned" and "deployed."
Action and energy should explode off the page.  It also shows involvement
and that you care about what you have accomplished.

Hope that helps a bit too.

Alan