Rate my Resume

[tfinch2]

mine...

www.tfinch.org/resume.doc

I have an interview tomorrow

 

[Furyline]

Just a couple general things. You need to give SOME kind of detail. Your new resume looks very.. white, which will not impress anyone, I don't think, and that's generally what you want to do with a resume. You don't want to bore them either, of course, but it does need to be fleshed out a bit.
Also, list relevant courses.
What is 'video production'? go into this more if it may pertain to the job you're going for.
What did you do at your jobs, and how did you perform?(if you did poorly, you don't have to tell them, of course)
If you give a cell phone number, indicate it on the resume. An employer wants to get in touch with you, they don't want to deal with roommates, family, or answering machines. And have a professional sounding voicemail message, just say who you are, tell them to leave a message and you'll get back to them.
This was advice I got from the coop office at my college. Good luck in the job search.

 

[necine]

Newest Resume

Okay... I took all of your suggestions. Tfinch2, I stole your format. I hope you dont mind. Very good suggestions, I used them extensively.

 

[necine]

v

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: necine
Newest Resume

Okay... I took all of your suggestions. Tfinch2, I stole your format. I hope you dont mind. Very good suggestions, I used them extensively.

As others said, and as you have done, nix the "references" thing. It is cliche and furthermore it is a given. I mean obviously references will - or should - be given on request. In fact more than likely you will fill out some formal application (often times just so they have some paperwork for the wonderful task of record-keeping) and that will ask for references.

I have determined that resumes more than two pages are perfectly acceptable *if* you have the experience and applicable years to make it reasonable. If you are just a few lines into a second page, that is bad, but for example my resume takes up right at one and half pages. Also, though, it does depend on the field. I work in the scientific fields and curriculum vitae (as they like to call them) can be expected to be well over a page long.

Guess my point with that is, there is no hard and fast rule on what a resume should look like. It depends on experience and the industry.

Personally I don't like the table look on a resume. I think it gives it more of a form feel and makes things look, I dunno just odd I suppose. That being said, if you like it and that is a popular style with the field you are trying to get into, then more power to you.

I have read some place that say an "Objective" is cliche and not the in thing to do. I have a summary of experiences/background in one paragraph at the top in place of the "Objective." The reality is your objective is to land a job, and the people interviewing you know that as well; it's not some big secret.

Here is another hint I have learned which I think is pretty useful. Put your name in the center (like you did) or over to the right hand side, never to the left.
Why, you ask?
When you staple or put a paper clip on a stack of papers, where do you usually put it?
Chances are it won't be on the right hand side right . . .

Personally I would leave out:

Active member of the Philosophy Club. Invited to Advanced Philosophy survey course (only 15 invitations were issued).

Perhaps you are proud of it, which is fine, but I would feel that is something that would be better suited to come out in the course of an interview. Additionally you are trying to get a job doing technical work, and I don't think taking an advanced philosophy class is pertinent information.
Again, though, you should try to work it in a conversation about how well round of an individual you are. Employers seem to like that.

Helped to set up digital TV studio (including security cameras). Went on several professional TV and Film shoots. Designed floor and lighting plots.

I would phrase all of that as:

"Assisted in the setting up of a digital TV studio as well as installation of security cameras.
Attended several professional TV and film shoots. Designed floor and lighting plots for XYZ (I would add in a specific example if you got one)."

Just an idea.

Resolved hardware and software issues with PCs.

I would go with: "Resolved consumer/corporate/business (insert whatever) PC hardware and software issues, with 95% of calls resolved without further escalation."

Personally I feel that you still have a rough draft of a resume. It's getting there, it is a vast improvement over your first one so don't let me beat you down on it! I feel, though, that your experiences are just written on the bland side. Do not use "fancy" or overly technical words (not at this point in your career) but just spend a little more time on those sections. Heck you do not even have to write in complete sentences but rahter you can make bullet points; it is word choice and grammar that can make a big difference.

Also I would put the name of your experience in bold or italics or some other font to break up the monotony of your resume. Your entire experience area just looks like one big entry, at a quick glance (which is all many resumes get) it is difficult to quickly see how much and the location of your experience.

Good luck!