Resume Advice

[hinakiba777]

So, as I've told some of you, I'm taking the year off school for various reasons. Top amongst those reasons is that I need to earn some money to pay for school. I am ineligible to get a student loan because I have already exceeded the maximum 5 years allowed by the Canadian government to spend on one degree. So my plan is to work for 8 or 9 months full-time, then go down to part time hours/find another job when I go back to school next May. The only problem is that my resume is a mess.

The largest issue is that I have no officially attended three universities. First University, Bad University, and Current University. Listing all three schools plus when I graduated from high school takes up a huge space on my resume. Part of me thinks I should just remove First University and Bad University from it all together, but one of the jobs I have listed (the longest position I have ever held), was working for First University. So I feel like I need to include it, as well having my full education listed helps account for the gaps in my work experience.

Second, how should I list jobs. I know I'm supposed to list them from most recent to least recent, but what is the ideal number of jobs to list. I feel like it's three, but should it be more? As well, should I only list my most recent jobs, or should I list certain jobs that specifically apply to the position that I'm applying for?

Third, I worked at the Hotel for three summers. How do I put that on my resume? Do I list it just as three years, do I make three separate entries, do I just do one entry but list all three dates? I want to establish that I was there for as long as I was, but I don't want it to appear like i'm saying I was there more than I was. I don't want it to look like I'm lying. Should I just put a note somewhere around the entry?

Fourth, The Call Center is closed. They shut down shortly after I moved to the city to attend Current University. The phone number is correct, but the place is closed. So I'm not sure how to explain that. If I should put it in my cover letter, put it on the resume, or just leave it out. (I also, unfortunately, don't have the contact information of any of the former managers or supervisors. oops. )

Fifth, What's the best layout?!

Finally, how should I address the fact that i'm taking the year off in my cover letter. I have to mention it, because I haven't finished my degree, and I don't want to give the impression that I am actually currently a student.

Those are the things I'm a little confused about. If there are other resume suggestions you have, I would love to hear them. Were I living at my parents I would just go to the job center and get resume help there, but the Service Canada center in this city doesn't seem to offer that service. They send me to the Canada Job Bank, which doesn't have any answers to my problems. I haven't had a job interview since I left Wally World in 2010, other than the Call Center. I worked at the Hotel Summer 2011, then the Call center Fall 2011 to Spring 2012. I really can't figure out where I'm going wrong. I've applied for over a dozen positions since I finished my last semester of school, and have gotten zero call backs.

[bhskittykatt]

I would put at least First University and Current University, if not all three.

Three is a fair number of jobs to list. I would list at least the most recent one, and then focus on your experience that pertains the most to the position you're applying.

For the hotel, I would put a notation that it was seasonal summer work somewhere in there. Depending on your formatting, you could put something like "Summers Only 2009-2011" (or whatever dates), or make a note where you go into more detail about your work experience that you worked summers only.

For the Call Center, if it's a relevant experience you're putting on your resume you shouldn't need to put the phone number on there. Usually the company and city name are sufficient for the resume portion (keep your references on a separate page). If you feel they may want to use the call center as a reference, you can probably mention it in the cover letter somewhere, but don't worry about it on the resume. Worry about work experience pertaining to what you're applying for.

As for formatting, find some Word templates and play around with them. Google different resume formats. Sometimes you need to tinker to fit all the info you want to put on there in an organized manner.

As for your school, just tell them exactly that in the cover letter. You want to take a year off and are looking for full-time, followed by part-time work as you star school again. It may look bad if you look like you want to take-off after the first year, so if you are willing to work part-time through school later mention that.

[Jester]

The largest issue is that I have no officially attended three universities. First University, Bad University, and Current University. Listing all three schools plus when I graduated from high school takes up a huge space on my resume.

Shouldn't take up too much space, unless you make it like that. Personally, I see no reason to list your high school, as you have attended universities. So the high school is presumed, and thus superfluous on your résumé.

How I would list it is like this:

Education
First University, Corn Field, IA, 2009-2010
University of Arizona, Crapston, AZ, 2010-2011
Current University, Unpronounceable French Town Name, LA, 2011-2013

No muss, no fuss, no problem. Also, list education after job experience, at least until such time as your education is more important and relevant to the position you're applying to than your work history is.

Second, how should I list jobs. I know I'm supposed to list them from most recent to least recent, but what is the ideal number of jobs to list. I feel like it's three, but should it be more? As well, should I only list my most recent jobs, or should I list certain jobs that specifically apply to the position that I'm applying for?

You should list them chronologically, most recent first, and back through your history.
There is no ideal number of jobs to list. As long as your résumé is neither too busy nor too empty, you're fine. No one expects or even wants your entire work history.
And of course, if certain previous jobs are more relevant to a position you're seeking, make sure they are on the resume, even if that means leaving some other jobs off.

Third, I worked at the Hotel for three summers. How do I put that on my resume? Do I list it just as three years, do I make three separate entries, do I just do one entry but list all three dates?

One entry, slotted in your chronology based on the last date you worked there. In other words, if you worked there last summer, you would put it on the resume before any jobs you finished working at prior to last summer, and behind any jobs you finished since then, or are still at.
The entry itself is easy enough.

The Hotel, Hot City, AZ, June 2012-August 2012, June 2011-August 2011, June 2010-August 2010.

Or...

The Hotel, Chillsville, AK, Summer 2012, Summer 2011, Summer 2010.

Or...

The Hotel, Boredom City, OH, Summer 2010-2012.

You get the idea.

Fourth, The Call Center is closed. They shut down shortly after I moved to the city to attend Current University. The phone number is correct, but the place is closed. So I'm not sure how to explain that. If I should put it in my cover letter, put it on the resume, or just leave it out. (I also, unfortunately, don't have the contact information of any of the former managers or supervisors. oops. )

Leave it on as a job. The fact that it is closed is not really your problem. You worked there, the contact info is correct, so there's nothing you can do. Or if you want, you can list it as

Call Center, Sweatsburg, FL, 2011-2012. (Closed November, 2012.)

Fifth, What's the best layout?!

I prefer name and vital statistics (address, phone number, email) at the top, with the name the center of attention, ie, larger and bolder than everything else. Just like any other form of marketing, you want the brand name to come shining through.

Then an job or career objective, if appropriate (it isn't always). Then work history and education. Also, list any awards or recognitions you have received. If it's very relevant to the position you're seeking, you can even put that up near the top. For example, as I am seeking a position as a bartender, the fact that I won First Annual Rum Brand Bartender's Challenge in 2006 AND that I achieved certification as a mixologist from Prestigious Mixology Course in 2012 are listed boldly right at the top of my résumé. If I decided to seek a job in an office setting, these would still be listed (they denote accomplishment), but less prominently. Also, any awards you may have received from a particular employer should be listed under that employer's listing. For example...

Gravekeeper's Tavern, Sky Train, BC, 2009-2011. Employee of the Year, 2010.

Uncle Jester's Removal Service, Undisclosed Location City, ME, 2008-2012. Sniper of the Year, 2009.

If there are other resume suggestions you have, I would love to hear them.

Yes. The very famous KISS. Which stand for Keep It Simple, Stupid.

A résumé is nothing more than a tool. Its job is to get you in the door for the interview. A résumé does not get you a job, or a promotion, or people swooning in the aisles. It is a door stop, period. Or a key if you prefer. It is a door opener.

So don't stress too much about it. Make it clean, make it simple, make it readable, and don't big it down with too much extraneous shit. The fact that you were Employee of the Week once, or that you received a perfect attendance award in high school? Extraneous bullshit. And obvious padding to anyone who looks at resumes.

And...and this is important...a résumé should never, ever, EVER, be more than one page. "But I worked at so many places." So what? Use the most recent and/or most relevant. "But I don't want to leave stuff out." Leave it out. "But-" But nothing. And don't use any funky colors. Your choices are white, off-white, ivory, things like that. there are people who will automatically pitch any colored résumés as a matter of course. It's pretentious, it's unprofessional, and it's unnecessary.

One page. Period. End of story. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200, do not dance with Dick Clark's ghost. One page. Simple. Clean. Neat. Readable. Why?

Because a résumé is nothing more than a tool to get you in the door for an interview.



But I wouldn't expect you to take the word of a person who's been in the food service industry for 20+ years, such as myself. I would, however, expect you to take the word of a person who was a secretary in the corporate world, often in administration, for several decades. That is, after all, who I got all of this advice from. I call her Mom. And Mom knows her shit. (I've talked to many people over the years who are in charge of hiring in different fields who confirmed all that Mom told me about this.)

[wolfie]

And don't use any funky colors. Your choices are white, off-white, ivory, things like that. there are people who will automatically pitch any colored résumés as a matter of course. It's pretentious, it's unprofessional, and it's unnecessary.

And others will automatically pitch any that are on ordinary copy bond as a matter of course, since "This person obviously doesn't care if they didn't take the extra effort to use proper paper".

[Jester]

Oh yes, Wolfie has a point....make sure you get it printed on good stock. If you're not sure what good stock is, ask the print shop for resume stock. They'll know what it is.

[hinakiba777]

I have to buy new paper?! But I don't have money.

I have office paper, that's it. I suppose when I go home for visit my family I can get my parents to take me to a print shop to price the paper and have them purchase it for me.

Um...any other resume advice that is going to cost me money? I've already re-written my resume thanks to Jester's great advice. (THANK YOU ^_^), but I don't want to waste the ink to print them if the paper quality is going to get it tossed.

So any other things I should know before i apply anywhere?

[It's me]

I have to buy new paper?! But I don't have money.

I have office paper, that's it.

Office paper will be fine. A resume should suit the job being applied for. if you are applying to be a top person in a marketing department your resume should look high-end -- quality paper, clean layout etc. But if you are just applying to organize files etc. something basic that communicates the relevant information is more than good enough.

[Jester]

I have to buy new paper?! But I don't have money.

I have office paper, that's it. I suppose when I go home for visit my family I can get my parents to take me to a print shop to price the paper and have them purchase it for me.

We're talking a few cents here. My most recent trip to the print shop, where I had them print out 10 resumes, cost me just over a dollar. And I live in an expensive place, where prices are higher. And that price included labor. So....yeah, it's not a huge expense, to be honest.

[Gravekeeper]

Gravekeeper's Tavern, Sky Train, BC, 2009-2011. Employee of the Year, 2010.

Uncle Jester's Removal Service, Undisclosed Location City, ME, 2008-2012. Sniper of the Year, 2009.

I can't help but feel these are the wrong way around ;p

The good resumes we get at my office are typically 1-1 and a half pages and a cover letter ( ie faxes ). Name rank and serial number so to speak. Clean, easy to read and free of irrelevant information. ( No one needs to know your hobbies unless you're applying into a large Corporate Culture(tm) where it might relevant ). You don't need your entire job history, but you should include your most relevant job history to the job you're applying for.

Nobody needs to know I had a paper route when I was 12, but my 10 years in the call center industry is quite relevant if I'm applying for any other CSR type position.

Otherwise, some asshole graveyard CSR that has to check the faxes is going to read your resume and laugh that you thought we give a shit you like kayaking and bird watching. <cough>

[Sapphire Silk]

I have to buy new paper?! But I don't have money.

I have office paper, that's it. I suppose when I go home for visit my family I can get my parents to take me to a print shop to price the paper and have them purchase it for me.

The office paper should be OK as long as it is a good quality office paper. You don't need to use fancy paper anymore, in fact many employers discourage it.

[fma_fanatic]

You don't need to use fancy paper anymore, in fact many employers discourage it.

Most of the resumes we get from walk ins tend to be on 28# bright white (92-100 bright) paper, pretty cheap at about $3/ream depending on where you go. Office Depot/Max/Staples/Whatever local office supply store should have a decent selection. You can probably get a really good deal now that school has started/will be starting soon.

[auntiem]

Dusting off my resume (again) just now, so my few thoughts are:
Unless the job you are responding to specifically asks for a level of education beyond HS - most places suggest just leaving that whole thing off. If they ask for "some college courses in place of experience" or some such I will put that in.

I have one seasonal job, tour manager, and I have it as one entry with the dates worked in order.

Paper - I have resume paper that I adore, but has very tiny flecks of color - which means it does not scan/photocopy well. Stick with white to print and hand in with applications and save the file as a PDF (for emailing). I print the resume out on my "resume" paper for when I take copies in for interviews.

Half my resume is office closed/has an 800 # to verify employment/no one there I worked with is even in the state anymore. Luckily, I live in a small town so any HR worth their salt would know the situation with those places (the layoffs at one was big enough to have made the front page after all). I have a large list of references (co-workers and clients) instead that I can provide when/if asked.

As for the style, I'm currently using a skills based resume since that works better for my situation right now (it also hides my age a tiny bit since the dates worked are at the very bottom portion of the resume).

[Dentarthurdent]

Uncle Jester's Removal Service, Undisclosed Location City, ME, 2008-2012. Sniper of the Year, 2009.

I...I love you.

[Jester]

Of course you do. You have taste.

[evilfarmer]

I just got bunch of advice on resumes.

Put Name followed by address, phone, email right below.

If you are looking for a job based on your education list it first. I personally hate having Gaps in my resume so I list all of the schools in colleges. If you are looking based on previous experience then list at least the last 5-6 years of jobs if you have that much. Ive only been asked for the last 10 years of experience for an extensive background check for security work.

The worst thing people told me to do is to have a gap in your history. It can raise red flags that can lead you left in the no pile..I hope this helps