[Lampwick]

(12-09-2018 07:40 PM)Subtext Wrote:  

When filling out the experience section (in the US), how much detail should be included in each position? The army told me that you should have 2 or 3 bullets of statements about responsibilities, or preferably, achievements.

For resumes, there are two main audiences:

1. People who will actually be viewing the resume
2. Computers that will be parsing the resume

With the right networking techniques, you can often bypass the computer step, so it makes sense to optimize for people viewing the resume. The typical person viewing the resume will be someone working at the company you're targeting who is able to refer you as a candidate. They will probably spend seconds glancing at it, so it should have maximum visual impact.

Best practices are as follows:

1. The resume must be visually appealing.
2. It should be one page maximum.
3. It should provide the most detail on your last one or two positions, assuming they're related to the position you're applying for. If you don't have much experience, or are fresh out of school, it can have more detail on education (GPA, clubs, etc.).
4. It should emphasize accomplishments and results. All results should be quantified numerically, whenever possible. I also like to be grammatically incorrect and write every number in digits, instead of written form (1000 instead of one thousand). It's more eye-catching.
5. Accomplishments and results should generally relate to the following topics: revenue for the company, time/cost savings for the company, leading a team, training new employees, managing a project, security clearance granted, etc.

Here's what I did. I looked through a bunch of resumes on Google Images until I found a couple designs I liked. I wrote out a resume using the guidelines above. I hired a graphic designer in Bangladesh for $25, and sent him the text of my resume and the designs I liked. He delivered something in a day that was similar to the designs, but still unique. The resume is clean, in full color, and with subtle visual elements. He also gave me the Adobe Illustrator source files, so that I can easily make updates to it later.

Then I sent my new resume to a review service, and they gave me a couple extra tips to clean it up a bit. I think this was $40. More expensive since you basically need to hire someone in the U.S. These review services can be hit or miss, but it does give you some feedback. You'll probably get more out of it if you are new to writing resumes.

The final result should be in PDF form.

Optimizing your resume for computers involves trying to match keywords in your resume with keywords in the job descriptions you're targeting. It's kind of like Search Engine Optimization for your resume.

Optimizing your resume for computers is useful in two circumstances:
1. You are trying to get inquiries from recruiters or employers by posting your resume online (Linkedin, or job sites).
2. You are trying to get past the Applicant Tracking System at your target company.

In the first situation, you may be able to get more reach on your job search by submitting your resume online. Recruiters/employers use software to read resumes and look for keywords and other features. Having your resume optimized may help surface new opportunities.

The second situation should only be one of last resort. Companies have Applicant Tracking Systems that act as the first filter in identifying qualified candidates. If you submit your resume through a company's website, and your resume has keywords that match the job description(s) they're looking to fill, then you may be more likely to get past this filter. Often applying directly like this is a black hole. Ideally, you want to bypass the Applicant Tracking System filter by getting a reference to someone who already works at the company, and have them pass your resume along to the hiring manager, or as close as possible to that person.

[JohnnyBo]

Thanks to everyone who gave great advice. I would not give up the same as I graduated from the university. I went with my resume for a very long time and could not find a job. At that time, I was forced to find a problem. Some reviews I've found were much better than mine and I rewrote my stupid resume (it was just disgusting ) I found a job.

[Teedub]

Wow seeing this thread bumped brought back memories from when I first posted it in a desperate situation. I now five years on and much experience gained, countries traversed, and promotions gained... feel qualified to answer my own questions. Experience first unless you're a graduate, every time. Thanks to everyone who helped me at the time, especially Ali who helped me privately on PMs and LinkedIn. Hope he's still reading the forum.

Lampwick, great info. I might edit my own CV/LinkedIn based on it. Particularly in regards to pointing out accomplishments rather than responsibilities.

Final point, in my experience once you're past a certain point CVs/Resumes are largely unimportant (obviously you still have to have one though), as once you've been employed in a senior(ish) position at a famous company within an industry it's enough to secure you an interview... which is where you'll actually go into detail of what you're capable of. For people fresh out of uni, or in their first one or two jobs, it's crucial to get the CV right.

[IronShark]

Here are my top 10 Dos and Dont’s when it comes to resume writing:

Do Consider the Applicant Tracking System
Remember that your resume is usually screened automatically by an ATS. Make sure you use keywords and a standard resume format.

Do Tailor Each Resume to Fit the Job
You should be tailoring your resume to each position you apply to. Sending out the same resume to every position won’t do much good.

Do Highlight Relevant Experience
Remember that the hiring manager is looking for experience on your resume that’s relevant to the position. You should highlight the experience, skills and achievements that show why you’re a good fit for that particular position.

Do Use Real Numbers
Numbers are the best way to capture the attention of a hiring manager. Don’t just say you increased sales - State by how much ($ - %)

Do Add Power and Action Words
Strong action verbs can really give your resume that “pop” it needs to stand out. (Managed, Resolved, Increased)

Don’t Neglect Keywords
Remember that your resume needs to get past an ATS - and to do so you need relevant keywords. Look at the job description to see which keywords you can incorporate in your resume.

Don’t Rely on Outdated Objective Statements
Use a resume summary which tells the employer who you are and how you’re qualified.

Don’t Overload the Resume with Details
Keep your resume short and concise as a hiring manager only spends an average of 6 seconds reviewing a resume.

Don’t Obsess Over Design Elements
Fancy fonts, graphics and charts won’t do you any good and they may even be rejected by an ATS. Use a standard professional resume format.

Don’t Forget to Proofread
Your resume could be dismissed for even a single spelling error. Make sure you have someone proofread your resume.

You also can find a lot of resume writing services online where you can find professional help with them.

[Deepdiver]

(02-27-2019 10:17 AM)IronShark Wrote:  

Here are my top 10 Dos and Dont’s when it comes to resume writing:

Do Consider the Applicant Tracking System
Remember that your resume is usually screened automatically by an ATS. Make sure you use keywords and a standard resume format.

Do Tailor Each Resume to Fit the Job
You should be tailoring your resume to each position you apply to. Sending out the same resume to every position won’t do much good.

Do Highlight Relevant Experience
Remember that the hiring manager is looking for experience on your resume that’s relevant to the position. You should highlight the experience, skills and achievements that show why you’re a good fit for that particular position.

Do Use Real Numbers
Numbers are the best way to capture the attention of a hiring manager. Don’t just say you increased sales - State by how much ($ - %)

Do Add Power and Action Words
Strong action verbs can really give your resume that “pop” it needs to stand out. (Managed, Resolved, Increased)

Don’t Neglect Keywords
Remember that your resume needs to get past an ATS - and to do so you need relevant keywords. Look at the job description to see which keywords you can incorporate in your resume.

Don’t Rely on Outdated Objective Statements
Use a resume summary which tells the employer who you are and how you’re qualified.

Don’t Overload the Resume with Details
Keep your resume short and concise as a hiring manager only spends an average of 6 seconds reviewing a resume.

Don’t Obsess Over Design Elements
Fancy fonts, graphics and charts won’t do you any good and they may even be rejected by an ATS. Use a standard professional resume format.

Don’t Forget to Proofread
Your resume could be dismissed for even a single spelling error. Make sure you have someone proofread your resume.

You also can find a lot of resume writing services online where you can find professional help with them.

Eventually, we all want to move up in our careers... a few years ago I picked up a side gig where I would do sourcing/tech recruiting for a boutique executive search firm. He had been a US CEO for a UK Tech company and when they reorg'd he created his own Executive Search firm - these are Forbes 2018 list of the top Exec Search Firms:
https://www.forbes.com/best-executive-re...ab:overall

The top five are the firms that get paid $500K to $1M for a new CEO for a VC funded startup... he would say the first thing a new CEO wants to do when staffing up is use private firms that will save him/her a ton of startup capital over the top 5/10 Firms. Hint he would reach out to all newly funded or expanding tech firms as they had a need to hire VPs and SVPs and Senior Tech Talent NOW.

His rates for a C-level SVP were $100K flat fee and mid-tier Tech, Sales, Mktg, Eng and Ops VPs were a flat fee of $50K one-third to begin the search - one third upon delivery of 3 qualified candidates and one third 30 days after the finalist hired. This way he had guaranteed cash flow and could focus 100% at the task or search at hand.

He would give me the senior technical searches that paid $30 to $35K and I would get half of the fees upon similar terms... Many tech searches only paid 30 days after hire to see if they stayed on the job - there is a significant percentage of over 10% that often leave soon after hire for a better paying lower travel gig closer to home.

The Exec Recruiter former CEO was RUTHLESS in how he read a Resume. Beyond the good bolded basic highlights above he surprised me with how ruthless he was on candidates resumes. In the beginning, he would reject 70% to 80% of the resumes I would submit for his consideration with one or two words why they were not a good fit... Since I only got paid if the candidate was hired I finally in a bit of frustration sat down with him and asked EXACTLY what he looks for and that I should be looking for to not waste my time... as my work was accretive to his income he decided to open up a bit and clue me in - He was big on keeping his competitive advantages to himself.

Rule one was the candidate must submit a resume tailored to the job description and do it quickly - if they responded quickly it showed genuine interest in the position and ability to follow requests from the Hiring Execs we worked for and were being paid by. Also he said never write anyone's resume for them but feel free to critique it on the phone to see if they could take positive critique and respond quickly in internet time. This way if there were any misrepresentations in the Resume inflated roles, experience or education the candidate is liable and not him.

Rule two was to do a Skype face to face call to see if the candidate presented a businesslike image and spoke comprehendible English showing they were a professional who could communicate properly and did nt have one foot in the grave or look like a KISS Roadie. Then check their social media - were they a solid family man or a wild party animal (Hint take any picks in your social media chugging brewskis and bogarting blunts at Bikini babes beaches OUT of your profiles - Make Sense?) Keep any charity Black Tie or Event Tees or Pro-Am Golf pics as these are perceived as being a Company-man Exec able to garner a positive image for both yourself and the firm.

Rule Three was the most important - education is important yes Harvard, MIT, and Stanford Master's Degrees carry great weight - however - great middle-level execs come from State Schools and or work their way up the ranks and get certifications.
Most important of all is a continuing career progression of greater and greater responsibilities and achievements at least 3 to 5 years in duration for each role and NO Career Gaps. He was absolutely ruthless on this criteria as no one wants to hire someone who on a whim will run off to Kiev or Bali with some sex kitten and live off their last IPO or Corp Bonus windfall. This is why dependable folks with mortgages and families are so attractive to a major corporation.

Random people would call us all the time and ask us to find a job for them and he would send them a link to how to network on LinkedIn etc as he only had signed contracts from C-level execs looking to fill specific roles NOW. He had to work only for those willing to sign his recruiting contracts and pay him. Business is business will you work for someone who may not pay you? Hell NO.

He said we are not a charity and cannot afford to waste time on unqualified candidates so send them to Linked-in to network with companies for roles they would be good at with companies they like and perhaps take a less perfect role (Engineering Support versus Design Engineering) until they can work themselves up to a role they like and are good at. Hint many companies pay internal referral fees of $2K to $5K so network with potential peers regarding jobs advertised on Linked-In to submit your resume to HR and then the hiring manager so they follow their internal referral program and actually get paid IF you get hired. This saves companies a fortune over guys like me ;-)

Moral of the story: manage your career, education, and certifications and Social Media so that they comply with the needs of a ruthless Executive Recruiter and you will always be in demand.

FYI I only have a LI account with Skills Summary and references/endorsements and NO Facebook or other social media as I work in Cyber Security and say it is a security precaution to hiring firms but really also not to be doxxed by any of my Post RVF Red Pill rejects or other pumps and dumps. Even if you are married or in an LTR do not let your wife/baby momma and kids control posting to your social media as it can be negative for your career. Did you like a Master Red Piller marry an HB9/10 and now live an idyllic life - why make some Corporate Recruiter or HR screener, likely an SJW Harpie Orca or married to one, hate you for your better life decisions. Success is Secrecy and Secrecy is Success. HTH

[LeBaron]

Here is the CV model I use that was given to me by a friend who paid for it.
I personnaly think that it looks very good, and I nearly got a 100% response rate every time I applied to a job with it.

Only problem is that it is in french but it's not hard to understand what is what.