New College grad looking for advice for his resume. Please help

krwell

Senior member
Feb 11, 2001
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Hey guys I just graduated college a week ago and the computer job I was counting on fell through with the recent slow down in the industry. I'm now on the lookout for new jobs. Can you guys take a look at my resume and make suggestions. Thanks

Here it is RESUME
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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take your GPA out. Unless you're about 3.5 or better you shouldn't have GPA in there. Only list stuff that will really SELL you.
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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you should change "Fred Mayer" to "Fred Mayer Grocery Store" or something of that nature, its kinda confusing to people who aren't familiar with that store chain.
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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lose the templeton's too, employers don't care if you were a babysitter 10 years ago, keep it simple and powerful.
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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Also, try to find other references than old high school teachers, see if you can get a college professor, or other businessman who've you've done a little computer work for on the side maybe.
 

flot

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
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Man, your resume needs some help. First, it should all fit on one page. References should be something you provide only after a company asks for them. Just put "references available on request" at the bottom. Get rid of things that aren't relevant - like your templeton stuff. Format it so that your best points are easy to spot on a quick read through. I'd leave the GPA if you're happy with it. On your coursework, there's no reason to list courses #1 and 2, just say "C++ programming," etc. On your "second highest in class" isn't there a word for that? (forgive me I was 58 out of 63 ;-) Your work experience should list WHAT you did not WHO you did it for...

Look online at some sample resumes, use them for guides. Also your school may have a career center etc and they can help you refine your resume.. but really it could use a lot of work. There are books and lots of other references out there, find them!
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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write an objective section on the very top too, or do it on a cover letter. Write about how you'll help the company, and how you can be a benefit.

I see a lot of people who, in the objective section write crap like, "I hope to learn a lot from this job and...." employers don't give a crap what you want to do for yourself, they only want to know how you'll help them!
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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I may not have stated this, but this resume isn't going to get you hired anywhere. It need a lot of work.

Maybe you should go to like the Career Services office of your former college if they have such a thing, and get some help there.
 

GasX

Lifer
Feb 8, 2001
29,033
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ONE PAGE!!!! A college grad with a two page resume is an unemployed college grad

You have little relevant work experience, so make sure your education and Paladin job show off your skills.

lose the babysitting.

references should be provided upon request

have the dates of each job right justified and accross from the employer.
 

Urinal Mint

Platinum Member
Jan 16, 2000
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<< OBJECTIVE: To seek a challenging position and gain experience by utilizing my skills in Computer Science, Mathematics, and/or Business Administration. >>


If your objective is seeking this challenging position, I'd say you were already successful.

You need to change this badly... try:

OBJECTIVE: A challenging position utilizing my skills in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Business Administration.
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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I think a slight name change might help you, You seem to like your middle name, so maybe you should accentuate it, and become K. Robert Welling, you know, kinda like F. Scott Fitzgerald.

I'm gonna do that to my name someday.
 

Urinal Mint

Platinum Member
Jan 16, 2000
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You might also consider listing some of the more important coursework of &quot;Twelve 100-400 Level Mathematics Classes&quot;... I mean, I took 15 100-400 level math classes in college myself!

Also, don't bullet each course... rather, place them in a comma-separated list.
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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NO NO NO, you objective SHOULD NOT be to better yourself, it should be to HELP THE COMPANY. ARRGH! I mean, look at it this way, you resume is like your sales pitch, the company wants to hire you to help them make money.

And your objective says, not that you want to help the company, but that you want to help yourself, this implies that:

1. You have a deficiency (because you're trying to better yourself)
2. You are selfish.

This is not true, but the resume makes it look that way.

Say stuff like,

I would like to help this company by using my skills as XYZ in this way. I am qualified to meet the challenge and hope to help the company suceed...
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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also, the line that you want to &quot;gain experience&quot; sort implies that this job is just a first stop, and you'll leave the company for greener pastures.

There is absolutely NOTHING that companies hate more than spending time and money getting people trained and certified for something, then 6 months later they take a job somewhere else.
 

Helpless

Banned
Jul 26, 2000
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Yea, I agree on the coursework section...I listed everything but the kitchen sink for my first job in economics :) And I was told by many human resource managers to lose the objective statement. They know your objective--to find a job....all that BS &quot;I want a challenging and rewarding blah blah blah&quot; can go, but not everyone agrees with me. I used the extra 3-4 lines to cram some skills on the page. I would, however, state your objective in the cover letter.
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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ya, it is kinda accepted both ways, but the best route to go is to have a generic resume, than an individual cover letter for every company that you apply too.
 

Urinal Mint

Platinum Member
Jan 16, 2000
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I'd post my resume here as a guide (I got 7 job offers and did 28 interviews when I was graduating college last December), but there is some information I don't want people to see unless they're intended to... so, sorry :(

I might be able to post it later tonite, however, if you're still interested.
 

Helpless

Banned
Jul 26, 2000
2,285
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Likewise...when I go home this weekend, I'll email a copy of mine if you PM your email address...got a pretty decent track record...applied for 3 jobs 2 months ago...received 3 offers :)


I think you are not making good use of paper, too...I have mine spaced out across the paper and far fewer bullets taking up vital space.


[edit] I'll just upload it to my @home account and make a webpage when i get home...I'll send you the URL.