Resume Help

[Penguin02]

First and foremost Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen.

I wanted to make a resume, but do not really know what to put down. granted i have little experience with making a resume.

I would like to know if some of the Marines here would like to show me there's so i can possibly use it as a backbone for mine. I'm a 0651 so if there any 51's that can help me out that would be very helpful.

Thank you in advance.

[Osotogary]

Good morning, Penquin02. I certainly am not an expert in these matters but quite a few years ago a personnel director gave me a bit of advice. He said that the resume makers should first and foremost make the resume readable and brief, given that most of those who's job it is to read resumes and make recommendations don't have the time to read lengthy resume, or shall I say, resume books. Kind of like KISS. Tease them and then please them.
All the best to you.
Gary

[wildwoman73]

Most computers have a resume builder in Microsoft Office Tools. I'm not sure how proficcient you are on the computer, but these things can be very simple. Look through Microsoft Office or XP or what ever it is you have. Or tell me what kind of word processor you have. Also give me a bit and I will PM some links to you.

Resume's can be very frustrating just getting your information down. Just remember...you are advertising yourself to potential employers. Get also a copy of the job description you are applying for. That can easily be picked through and reworded in your Objective slot. :)

[wildwoman73]

DAVE!!!! YOU'RE ALIVE!!!!

Was trying to look up that MOS. Is it computer operations????

[USNAviator]

Most computers have a resume builder in Microsoft Office Tools. I'm not sure how proficcient you are on the computer, but these things can be very simple. Look through Microsoft Office or XP or what ever it is you have. Or tell me what kind of word processor you have. Also give me a bit and I will PM some links to you.

Resume's can be very frustrating just getting your information down. Just remember...you are advertising yourself to potential employers. Get also a copy of the job description you are applying for. That can easily be picked through and reworded in your Objective slot. :)

Good advice Tiara.

Penguin try this site. It specializes in military resumes and cover letters

http://www.baseops.net/transition/

[USNAviator]

Taira I could be a real wise $ss and tell you he was in charge of Illuminati tats but I won't <br />
<br />
Job Description: Data network specialists are responsible for the installation, configuration, and...

[USNAviator]

I don't know. Dan has a long list of every MOS there is. He's on right now


"Good advice, Taira" but nothing about my own advice, that's okay, I'm not hurt by that or anything. LOL

Original poster: Here's one way to do it. Make a list of everything you've ever done, schools, sports, military, volunteer work, employment, everything, then sort it out by category, in chronological order.

Do that before you even begin typing.


Dave you type so fast and with you being invisible I can't keep up with you.

That was the best advice I've ever read Dave, outstanding. Bravo Zulu. Four Oh job Captain!!!!

[Caesar Augustus]

I knew a Marine who was a data guy and seemed to like his job.

As far as resume building I wrote my own and its served me well and I've not really had anyone look at it but I would suggest that you NOT pay for any professional services and just write about what your task and accomplishments were at each job candidly and then have someone who knows you well go over it.

I'd be willing to bet you could probably find someone like your career counselor to help you as well.

[Caesar Augustus]

Dave you type so fast and with you being invisible I can't keep up with you.

That was the best advice I've ever read Dave, outstanding. Bravo Zulu. Four Oh job Captain!!!!

I agree Sir, although the latter half of your post has me scratching my head.....

<--Blames it on lcplness

[BillThompson]

One thing that I have learned is to make sure that you SPELL check after you are done.

[Caesar Augustus]

Thats definitely true. Nothing worse than sending in a resume with spelling errors.

Talk about lacking attention to detail.

[wildwoman73]

Hahahahaa!! That's funny Dan!!!

Hey Dan...this subj is just fresh on my brain because of my NEW job up and coming!!! Was slightly frustrating to me because since 1998, I haven't filled out an application until AFTER I was hired!! That spoiled me. My full time employment history is not very many because of longevity at places but my bad habit of part time work was a mess!! I'd always maintained three jobs and trying to explain that to people who look at you as if you are BS'ing is irritating.

Good piece of advice: Treat your resume like your birth certificate. I'm not by any means old but I am 37 and have had at least 4 full time jobs in my life. Add your information to it once a year or so if your experience expands. It is a total PAIN trying to remember dates and the like when you have to add to one that last dated 10 years ago!!!

[USNAviator]

I agree Sir, although the latter half of your post has me scratching my head.....

<--Blames it on lcplness

LOL Old Navy terms. Bravo Zulu was hoisted by pennants in the fleet, BZ. It means "well done"

Four Oh job came from the Academy. 4.0 was a GPA meaning outstanding. Well you know that

And Dave was an Air Force JAG Captain

[Caesar Augustus]

Ahh.....now I feel a little less lost. Where is my compass? <br />
<br />
You just gave me an idea and re-awakened my love of the radio. From now on when I leave a local I shall inform all parties that I'm...

[wildwoman73]

One thing that I have learned is to make sure that you SPELL check after you are done.


VERY good point Bill. I mispell words in a hurry I'm sure. Just make sure there are no gramatical errors or spelling mistakes. I'm a spell check freak just because....well, that's me. I've seen some words butchered by incredibly intelligent people and it's just because they are not spellers. With spell check built in to every PC these days, there is no excuse for it. :)

[Caesar Augustus]

WW Speaks the truth.

I hate when I know a word but cannot remember how to spell it!

[wildwoman73]

Dave? Dan? I think Billy was talking about someone having a compass the other day. Do you remember who had it? LOL

[USNAviator]

There's one more thing but it's important.
Don't put down so many details so that there's nothing for the interviewer to ask you.
Put down "volunteered in a sports center" then leave it at that.
Let the interviewer's interest be piqued, so he or she says "tell me about this sports center volunteer work".
If you type out five sentences about it, the interviewer will just pass over it, as you left nothing to discuss
Make them want to ask you about things you put down.

And key words as well. Most medium to large companies scan their resume's to look for key words.It's a matrix and you have to fit into the matrix. If you're looking for a data network job, you would use keywords that would be recognized in the industry. But please don't ask me for examples I'm way out of my element.

[Caesar Augustus]

Dave? Dan? I think Billy was talking about someone having a compass the other day. Do you remember who had it? LOL

We can't just use google maps?!

[USNAviator]

One thing that I have learned is to make sure that you SPELL check after you are done.

Good point Gunny. And after you run a spell checker, proof read it yourself and then give it to someone else and let them proof read it because invariably you're going to miss something

[Caesar Augustus]

And key words as well. Most medium to large companies scan their resume's to look for key words.It's a matrix and you have to fit into the matrix. If you're looking for a data network job, you would use keywords that would be recognized in the industry. But please don't ask me for examples I'm way out of my element.

What would be examples? I'm not sure if you're being facetious or not yet. I have found when you are sending a resume to a specific employer educating yourself on the terminology and general way of speaking can make you look better when you put the reason for wanting the position.

[03Mike]

Bullet points are your friend - big blocks of text are not. I used to advise people to take their resume and hold it up at arm's length. If it looks like a lot of reading, it will most likely go in the "maybe" pile rather than the "read" pile.

As mentioned above, spell everything correctly - nothing kills your resume faster than spelling errors.

Don't bullsh!t on your resume - hiring managers see through that in a heartbeat.

Have multiple versions of your resume tailored to the specific job / company to which you are applying. Match your highlights to the specific needs of the job or specific attributes of the company.

You can underline or bold specific passages or key words - but use it sparingly. If you use it frequently, then it won't stand out. Use it twice, and the reader's eye will be drawn toward it.

Most resumes get about 3 seconds of "read time" before the decision is made to "discard" it or place it in the "I'll read this in more depth after I sort through this stack" pile. So, take a look at your resume for only 3 seconds - did it get across the main thing that makes you qualified and/or desireable for this job?

Always do a cover letter - but don't repeat your resume in the cover letter. Use the cover letter to offer things that don't go in the resume.

Don't use phrases like "references available upon request" -- afterall, they damn well better be available -- that's a given. Also, don't put "Seeking a job as..." -- again, that's obvious. If you weren't seeking a job, why are you submitting a resume.

Stay away from colored paper, but do invest in a heavy bond paper. Most resumes are submitted electronically now, but follow up with a paper copy in the mail.

One thing we all learned in our time in the Corps is that "time spent on reconnaissance is never time wasted." That applies to the job search too. Find out hte name of the person who is hiring - who will be reviewing the resumes and will be making the hiring decision. Send the resume and cover letter addressed to that person. Sure, you'll have to send it to HR too, but take the initiative -- that'll help you stand out from the crowd too.


More than you asked for - hope something in there helps.

Good luck.

[wildwoman73]

Joke...sorry.

[USNAviator]

Dave? Dan? I think Billy was talking about someone having a compass the other day. Do you remember who had it? LOL

Sorry Taira, Billy says so many things. Some times I believe he thinks he's me :D

[Caesar Augustus]

Taira is referring to a very questionable series of posts in the War Room involving very heavy set females. I cannot say anymore right here. But you can go look. LOL

Lol I know, I was just trying to make a spin off....

I can't go near heavyset women, they eat me :(

[USNAviator]

Thanks Major Mike, I couldn't remember the term bullet points.

[Caesar Augustus]

Exactly Dave, I got have gotten a job from a staffing agency twice because I would continue to call back politely and built a report and they not only remembered me they placed me in jobs that I otherwise wasn't on paper qualified for but due to the fact I was able to humanize myself with them they understood just because I was 3mos shy of having X amount of months of experience didn't matter.

[brian0351]

You are an IT guy...and as a result IT guys have a slightly different format than run of the mill job seekers.

You will want to list the technologies you've worked with. Hardware and software (ie. Windows Server 2008, Dell Poweredge Server 1950 or CISCO 3800 Router). As well as what contracts/projects you may have been associated with (i.e. NMCI, NIPR/SIPR, CIDNE).

Shoot me a PM. I'll be more than happy to send you a copy of mine and some friends who are also IT guys, so you can see the variety.

[USNAviator]

Dave? Dan? I think Billy was talking about someone having a compass the other day. Do you remember who had it? LOL

Taira post 5669. Interesting number.;)

[wildwoman73]

The resume, as you said, has to stand out from all the others in some way, it has to catch the attention of the reader.
Spray perfume/cologne on it?

[Caesar Augustus]

Spray perfume/cologne on it?

Or drip the blood of your enemies on it.

[wildwoman73]

6000 is mine. :)

[USNAviator]

One final post from me. If you're looking for a job in the Federal Government they are very specific on how resumes are constructed. They use a different set of criteria when scanning. Google Fed Resumes if you're thinking of going in that direction

Good luck to you

[Penguin02]

Thank you Everyone for all the advice. Everything stated will definitely help me build a better resume.

Does anyone have any of there's they'd like to share, to help me work off of something?

[USNAviator]

Thank you Everyone for all the advice. Everything stated will definitely help me build a better resume.

Does anyone have any of there's they'd like to share, to help me work off of something?

Check out that link I posted around thread #7 or so. They have sample cover letters and resume's

[Vandrel]

Thank you Everyone for all the advice. Everything stated will definitely help me build a better resume.

Does anyone have any of there's they'd like to share, to help me work off of something?

Feel free to give mine a look,

http://stephenmccarty.com

[Warbyrd13]

&lt;!--&gt;&lt;xml&gt; &lt;w:WordDocument&gt; &lt;w:View&gt;Normal&lt;/w:View&gt; &lt;w:Zoom&gt;0&lt;/w:Zoom&gt; &lt;w:PunctuationKerning/&gt; &lt;w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/&gt; &lt;w:SaveIfXMLInvalid&gt;false&lt;/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid&gt; ...

[Warbyrd13]

Above is the resume I made when I got out with the help of the people in resume building class of Seps/taps.

Hope this helps you out some.

[Marine84]

Yep, one page - short & sweet. I used to hire and fire for a company I worked for. I always stated in the ad "NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE". Everytime somebody called, I would pull their resume and throw it in that circular file. No phone calls means no phone calls - the ones that call cannot follow direction. If the resume was more than one page, it got chunked.

Warbyrd - love yours. Hell, I'd call you in for an interview if for nothing other than to ask about your military service.

[Warbyrd13]

Yep, one page - short & sweet. I used to hire and fire for a company I worked for. I always stated in the ad "NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE". Everytime somebody called, I would pull their resume and throw it in that circular file. No phone calls means no phone calls - the ones that call cannot follow direction. If the resume was more than one page, it got chunked.

Warbyrd - love yours. Hell, I'd call you in for an interview if for nothing other than to ask about your military service.

So how much your offering? An what type of work is it?

I am just one of those who got tasked with all the differant jobs an had to make things work an actualy feel bad when i left cuase i knew alot of things were not going to get done.

My Comm chief an Comm Officer tried to get me promoted out in the Iraq but apperantly I wasnt special enough for the Col. I made the joke to the MGySgt that if I cut his phone services for about 1 day I would probaly earn that SSgt promotion. But it didnt matter I saw some changes in the policies in the Marines an didnt want to play stupid games with how much ink I was allowed an if i decided to ride a motorcylce i had to join a local bike club with my unit an all the crap you had to do to be allowed to ride a bike.