tell me what you think

[migair]

Heres my resume....before I start handing it out i thought i'd put it through the shredder.
All criticism expected.

[thermotron1]

I use to write resumes for unemployed job seekers in a former profession. Overall I think it is a fairly well put together resume. However, there are 2 things that jumped out at me...#1 Objective statement is too long. That is a good paragraph to include in a cover letter, however objectives are statements indeed. A one sentence statment, citing your intention. #2 at the end of the resume you state that "transcripts and references are available upon request". As a person that is in charge of many hiring decisions I always look at that statement and say to myself...."yeah duh, They'd better be or I wouldn't be able to hire you." What I do like though, is those who send me a list of references and a copy of a transcript with an application/resume. To me it shows great initiative as well as foresight.

Just my .02 cents worth.

[Makinice]

I would take out the coffee and good food as an interest.

When I read that, I stereotyped you as someone that walks around with a huge coffee mug all day long chatting with fellow coworkers.

I am sure that is not the case, but that is what I thought.

Do you like reading technical journals maybe?

[migair]

I would take out the coffee and good food as an interest.

When I read that, I stereotyped you as someone that walks around with a huge coffee mug all day long chatting with fellow coworkers.

I am sure that is not the case, but that is what I thought.

Do you like reading technical journals maybe?

point taken Makinice. Thank you. :)
As for reading tech journals...not so much.

[migair]

I use to write resumes for unemployed job seekers in a former profession. Overall I think it is a fairly well put together resume. However, there are 2 things that jumped out at me...#1 Objective statement is too long. That is a good paragraph to include in a cover letter, however objectives are statements indeed. A one sentence statment, citing your intention. #2 at the end of the resume you state that "transcripts and references are available upon request". As a person that is in charge of many hiring decisions I always look at that statement and say to myself...."yeah duh, They'd better be or I wouldn't be able to hire you." What I do like though, is those who send me a list of references and a copy of a transcript with an application/resume. To me it shows great initiative as well as foresight.

Just my .02 cents worth.

Good advice thermotron.
I concidered a cover letter but changed my mind. I dont have much experience in the field so i didnt feel like i had material for an introduction... which is what a "cover letter" is intended for.

Any suggestions or should i leave out the cover letter?:confused:

[Makinice]

Thermotron1:

I had the opportunity to work for an outfit (before I started my own bus.) that services your equipment. Man, not a day goes by that I don't think about it.

The environmental chamber industry is a very specialized field, and I think would be a great experience to be involved in it.

If I had to do it all over again, I would be involved in your industry in some way, shape or form.

[thermotron1]

Thermotron1:

I had the opportunity to work for an outfit (before I started my own bus.) that services your equipment. Man, not a day goes by that I don't think about it.

The environmental chamber industry is a very specialized field, and I think would be a great experience to be involved in it.

If I had to do it all over again, I would be involved in your industry in some way, shape or form.

It is certainly a very interesting field to be involved in. The technology of the equipment is like none other. The things that some of our units are able to do sure make you stop and scratch your head and say..."no way can that machine do that." I am grateful for your appreciation of our equipment.

[thermotron1]

Good advice thermotron.
I concidered a cover letter but changed my mind. I dont have much experience in the field so i didnt feel like i had material for an introduction... which is what a "cover letter" is intended for.

Any suggestions or should i leave out the cover letter?:confused:

I think you should absolutely include a cover letter. Cover letters can take on all different formats. It does not only have to include relevant experience, I believe it to be very important to include discussion that eludes to your work ethic, willingness to learn, level of committment, leadership/customer service skills, dedication, etc.

You can do this in many different ways, such as simply stating that you pride yourself in your work ethic, you have a strong desire to learn, you have a willingess to do what it takes to get the job done, etc. It becomes very helpful if you can illustrate an experience that provides support for what you are saying. Such as a project that you did for a former employer, or a task that required you to work long hours on to complete. It does not neccesarily have to be 100% relevant.

I would rather hire someone that has 50% of the skills and 100% of the attitude than someone with 100% of the skills and only 50% of the attitude. You can always teach and train skills...people's attitudes are much harder to teach.

Your cover letter can show this for you.

[migair]

I think you should absolutely include a cover letter. Cover letters can take on all different formats. It does not only have to include relevant experience, I believe it to be very important to include discussion that eludes to your work ethic, willingness to learn, level of committment, leadership/customer service skills, dedication, etc.

You can do this in many different ways, such as simply stating that you pride yourself in your work ethic, you have a strong desire to learn, you have a willingess to do what it takes to get the job done, etc. It becomes very helpful if you can illustrate an experience that provides support for what you are saying. Such as a project that you did for a former employer, or a task that required you to work long hours on to complete. It does not neccesarily have to be 100% relevant.

I would rather hire someone that has 50% of the skills and 100% of the attitude than someone with 100% of the skills and only 50% of the attitude. You can always teach and train skills...people's attitudes are much harder to teach.

Your cover letter can show this for you.
Thanks again thermotron. I'm going to start on that cover letter... I'll post it later.

[idontgetit]

Your first paragraph talks about, for lack of better terms, all about what you want.

As a hiring manager from a blunt point of view, I do not care what you want, you need to tell me how you fit what I want. I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU ARE GOING TO HELP ME, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND...OOps caps lock was not yelling.

Food for thought.

[bruce campbell]

Your first paragraph talks about, for lack of better terms, all about what you want.

As a hiring manager from a blunt point of view, I do not care what you want, you need to tell me how you fit what I want. I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU ARE GOING TO HELP ME, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND...OOps caps lock was not yelling.

Food for thought.

You should care about what they want. That is the whole point of the objective statement. It is to let whoever is in charge of hiring know what type of position they are applying for and if it is a fit for what you want.

Think of it like this, if he was to put in his objective statement that he wanted to polish your shoes you would know that he is not what you are looking for and you wouldn't waste you time reading the rest.

Now having said that, I do believe that it is a little longer than what is necessary. Usually they should get right to the point about what position they are applying for.

[migair]

You should care about what they want. That is the whole point of the objective statement. It is to let whoever is in charge of hiring know what type of position they are applying for and if it is a fit for what you want.

Think of it like this, if he was to put in his objective statement that he wanted to polish your shoes you would know that he is not what you are looking for and you wouldn't waste you time reading the rest.

Now having said that, I do believe that it is a little longer than what is necessary. Usually they should get right to the point about what position they are applying for.
The resume has been sent to editing...i'll post a refurbished copy soon.

[migair]

heres my cover letter. what do you think?
if you were looking for a helper, would my cover letter help me get an interview?

[Makinice]

heres my cover letter. what do you think?
if you were looking for a helper, would my cover letter help me get an interview?

I am a small business owner and do not review resumes or cover letters. It has been many, many, many years since I have had to update my resume and cover letter. Take what I say with a grain of salt.

That said. I don't like it. To casual. To much me,me,me.

My last (only) cover letter was about 15 years ago. And this is what mine contained:

Mr. xxxxxxx:

I am writing to inquire as to the availability of a position in the field of HVAC design, sales, or service. If such a position is presently available, or becomes available in the future, please consider me an enthusiastic candidate.

On May 20, I will have earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Air Conditioning Engineering Technology from the State University of New York, College of Technology at Alfred. As indicated in my resume I have the basic knowledge and experience in the designing of residential and commercial HVAC systems. I consider myself a hard working, enthusiastic individual, and my scholastic record indicates my dedication to my field.

I look forward to an interview at your convenience to discuss the possibility of employment with xxxxxxxxxx Associates. You can reach me by calling my school phone, or calling my home phone and leaving a message with my family, xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

xxxxxxxxxx





I will be curious of other posters thoughts.

[idontgetit]

You should care about what they want. That is the whole point of the objective statement. It is to let whoever is in charge of hiring know what type of position they are applying for and if it is a fit for what you want.


Why should I care what they want?

IMHO the whole point of the objective statement is for them to tell me how they fit my needs, not the other way around. Tell me how you want to use your experience and work history to improve my company. None of the canned "growth oriented" 90's buzz word stuff, just plain facts, grab my attention, you got about 30 seconds for me to decide whether I want to read further!

I am not saying it sucked, I am saying it did not grab me and tell me he wants to help fix my problems. IMHO including a statement basicly saying something like that, Technical stuff is easy to spot in the interview, they either have it or they don't, a problem solver is a different animal.

Look at that statement and lets change some words, first change trade to companies, change "expand to utilize", dump the whole first sentence, now change the last one instead of the i wants to "working with a company who rewards hard work and positive attitudes and after speaking with members of the industry I am excited to explore an opertunity with a progressive company"

Once again, this is what would trip my trigger and get you an interview without needing to read further, yes I would read further, but you already have me tapped in a positive way. Perhaps it would not work well with others, I am only offfering one hiring managers opinion offering requested advice.

[idontgetit]

I am a small business owner and do not review resumes or cover letters. It has been many, many, many years since I have had to update my resume and cover letter. Take what I say with a grain of salt.

That said. I don't like it. To casual. To much me,me,me.


I will be curious of other posters thoughts.

100% agree, would never make it to the resume, let alone the interview. Not a flame, but you have given me no interest, I am not looking for a new best friend, I am looking for somone to work for my company. The comments about concrete TOTALLY got you written off 100% and I would not dream of exploring it in an interview like that either, it was a slam.

[Makinice]

Back in the old days, 15 years ago :). cover letters were to be formatted like this:

First paragraph: "Why I am sending you my resume"
Second paragraph: "Who I am" (In 3-4 sentences)
Third paragraph: "A thank you for looking at me, and contact info"

Short and sweet.

The interview is for the lifetime experiences. Even then, I would keep it short and sweet.
I always felt that if someone was looking for a job, the best thing to do would be to contact the company directly to LEARN more about that company. Show some interest from the start, but don't make it look like you are job hunting just yet. You should be giving the impression that you are looking for a company where you feel you may fit in. Maybe have casual conversations with service managers, etc. Then if YOU think you have some benefit to that company, then ask if they mind if you could send a resume so they could keep it on file if something comes up in the future where they feel YOU would fit in. (wow that was a terrible sentence)

Show interest, and you will be rewarded.

[migair]

I'm scrapping the cover letter. going to use the "kiss" method(Keep It Simple Stupid).
I would like the opinion and criticism of other techs aswell.

[migair]

idontgetit...i get it. too much blah, blah.

[bruce campbell]

[QUOTE=idontgetit;1398675]Why should I care what they want?

Because if you and the applicant do not want the same thing, what is the point in reading any further? What if he said I would like to work for a company that does shoddy work and has frequent calls to the Better Business Bureau? I bet you would care then.

This is a very common resume format. Maybe if you knew what objective means you would get it.

objective: something toward which effort is directed : an aim, goal

So when you read a resume with an objective statement all he is telling you is what he is applying for and hopefully it is what you are looking for. It should be short and sweet, which is why I said I thought his was longer than what was necessary.

As far as telling you what he has to offer. Sometimes you have to read past the first line.

[idontgetit]

[QUOTE=idontgetit;1398675]Why should I care what they want?

Because if you and the applicant do not want the same thing, what is the point in reading any further? What if he said I would like to work for a company that does shoddy work and has frequent calls to the Better Business Bureau? I bet you would care then.

This is a very common resume format. Maybe if you knew what objective means you would get it.

objective: something toward which effort is directed : an aim, goal


As far as telling you what he has to offer. Sometimes you have to read past the first line.

Now why ya gotta act out on it bruce? I think I have clearly stated that I am expressing an opinion based upon my hiring practices and you want to pretend I do not know what "objective" means? Well, lets see, my objective with this post is to tell you to shove the stupidity up your ass in a nice way so the mods don't take notice and get mad at me. I think I get it, but may have executed it poorly :)

Now if YOU can look at the previous post OBJECTIVLY, I have also made it clear I, ME, NOT YOU, am looking for résumé’s that stand out and catch my attention.

IMHO you EARN every step, your cover letter earns you the right to get your resume read, and your resume earns you the right to an interview. In other words his first sentence has to pass MY criteria in order for me to read the next line, you either grab my interest or wind up in file 13, the round one next to the desk.

[migair]

its clear to see that there is conflicting opinions when it comes to cover letters. i feel that it is unfair (I know life isnt fair) when it comes to getting an interview because the one hiring has a specific format that he enjoys looking at or the aplicant sounds to friendly. I am not whining or complaing or looking for an easy way into the trade but i am frustrated. i am doing well in school(i always have)i´m a hard worker, as fruity as it may sound i feelvery passionate about this trade.
Unfortunatle my writing skills are shabby and that seems to be what employers are looking for...english majors, some one that can write a captivating cover letter that will lead to story time at the office...(ok...now i am whining):eek:

[Makinice]

its clear to see that there is conflicting opinions when it comes to cover letters. i feel that it is unfair (I know life isnt fair) when it comes to getting an interview because the one hiring has a specific format that he enjoys looking at or the aplicant sounds to friendly. I am not whining or complaing or looking for an easy way into the trade but i am frustrated. i am doing well in school(i always have)i´m a hard worker, as fruity as it may sound i feelvery passionate about this trade.
Unfortunatle my writing skills are shabby and that seems to be what employers are looking for...english majors, some one that can write a captivating cover letter that will lead to story time at the office...(ok...now i am whining):eek:

I agree. Thats why I mentioned earlier that if it was possible to have conversations with the company personal to which you wanted to work, you would have a better idea of what that particular company was looking for.

I know it's easier said than done, but it is an option.

If somebody came up to me and said "Mr. Ice, I think you have a great company, and I would like to learn more about it for possible future employment." I would welcome it.

[idontgetit]

Gonna add some response to your quote here...


its clear to see that there is conflicting opinions when it comes to cover letters. i feel that it is unfair (I know life isnt fair) when it comes to getting an interview because the one hiring has a specific format that he enjoys looking at or the aplicant sounds to friendly.

... nope life is not fair, in fact HIRING is a process of discrimination by its very nature. In my positions of late I was charged with that duty and just gave you feed back on how I do it. i do not really care about the format, I care about the content far more.

I am not whining or complaing or looking for an easy way into the trade but i am frustrated.
...never meant to imply you had a whine going on, you titled the thread let me know what you think, that is what I did.

Unfortunatle my writing skills are shabby and that seems to be what employers are looking for...english majors, some one that can write a captivating cover letter that will lead to story time at the office.
...Yes, the skills are weak, but thats ok, knowing your weakness is what brought you here to seek input, don't complain about the input you got, fix the problem. Don't like what I had to say, ignore it and look at others, like part of each use the parts you liked. As for the rest of it, well you wanna be a pro right? Being a pro means knowing your limitations and seeking out help from others. A resume service, an english student at a local college, a placement director at your school or even another college, etc.

..(ok...now i am whining):eek:

Frustrated...whining... waaaaa, so what! Step up, use the info provided by all, develop a better marketing tool for your self (that is what a resume is sir) and re-submit for further thoughts, or pay a pro to do it, the options are all yours baby! Grab it and hang on!

[migair]

I appreciate all of your opinions. I'll be able to put together a great resume and cover letter with the info posted here.

I'll post the edited copy when its complete.
Thanks once again.