Re: What's wrong with my resume?

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

FoulDragon@aol.com wrote:
> As you may have noticed from my general attitude of late, I'm having
> difficulty finding employment.
>
> Since I'll assume most of you have been able to acquire technical employment
> in the Phoenix area, I figure you're a reasonable lot to ask. If I were to
> post up my resume, would any of you be willing to venture opinions as to what's
> wrong with it? (I'd send it directly to those who enquire, rather than dump a
> 30k attachment on the list)
>
> I'm thinking there must be some sort of door-opener skill I'm neglecting to
> include, or possibly I have to figure out how to make OpenOffice attach a $10
> bill to each resume I send out. :D
>
> Two points which can be addressed without showing the whole document, feel
> free to chime in:
>
> 1) What's reasonable for entry-level software engineer / programmer
> positions here? I see all these cute "estimator tools" and studies claiming numbers
> which frankly seem to not jive with what people say they're willing to offer.
> I can see being lowballed, but I almost wonder if they're going way below
> lowballing so they can say "well, we tried, write us a H1B authorization."
>
> 2) My resume gives another email address (hakfoo@gmail.com) because 1) I
> like the featureset of Gmail better and 2) I'm convinced even a free email site
> looks better than an @aol.com address. :/ Some friends insist I should get a
> firstname.lastname style address instead (the username I chose is an obscure
> cartoon character) but does that really make a difference? Frankly, there are
> plenty of equally obscure addresses out there, especially at popular sites
> where all the good names are taken. :D
>
> 3) Are there any employment agencies/temp firms that you'd reccomend?
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