Resume Help

AOX81 · #1 05-14-2003, 12:39 PM

It's been two years since I've worked on my resume...

Question #1: How cheesy does this sound?

Objective: I am an ambitious and motivated individual looking for an outstanding career opportunity with growth potential, an exciting environment, and a demanding pace.

Question #2:
Should high school be included? My husband says no.

Question #3:
What other BS looks good on a resume?

HELP!

MooseGirl · #2 05-14-2003, 12:53 PM

I'm no expert, but I have taken quite a few resume workshops....

#1 - sounds good for what you want out of your job, but from my experience, you should include the position u r looking for, or at least the field

#2 HS is a no...along with anything else that dates back to then (activites, awards, etc)

#3 - depends on who you're sending it to...remember BS can always backfire too, so be careful. Just highlight accomplishments as much as possible (i've seen some resumes that have an entire section under that heading....personally, not me)

Marie · #3 05-14-2003, 12:55 PM

I think your objective is good, but here are some other portions that you might want to consider. (also, it may be diff. depending on how much experience you have)

1. Perhaps you can talk about what you can bring to the company. ex. how your skills, experience, or any other special talents (foreign languages) can help the department/company.

2. If you are past your freshman year in college you should remove any awards/leardership positions, etc. from high school. Once you graduate from college you can remove the name of your high school all together. (since your resume shouldn't exceed 1 pg. you'll find that you need the space).

3. Obviously you want to add relevant work experience. I include my leadership positions and relevant organizational affiliations. I also put some major awards that I have won, if they relate to the type of work that I'm doing. You might also put relevant coursework (if you're in college) and other skills or certifications. Lastly, many people include if they have studied abroad.

Lesley

sunnygirl · #4 05-14-2003, 01:02 PM

I think it depends what high school you attended. My high school opens a lot of doors, maybe even more than the college I went to. So I include that on my resume.

AOX81 · #5 05-14-2003, 01:11 PM

I graduated from college in 2000 with a BA in Sociology and History. I have been working as the Head Researcher for my company since April 2001.

I am getting ready to move to a new area and I'm trying to keep my resume somewhat general so I can send it to a lot of different places without having to make a ton of changes. I hate my current job and I am seriously looking for a new career path and I'm open to almost anything...

AXJules · #6 05-14-2003, 02:20 PM

My advertising professor conducts a madatory resume workshop for her students. She has given me some totally awesome tips.

Since you are applying for all kinds of jobs, a summary of skills section could be helpful. Basically you just list what you're good at, also special training like being bilingual,Quark/Photoshop, etc. Especially good if you don't really have job experience in that area and your page is looking blank.

She also conducted research with recruiters, and they said that a call to action is really important if you're using a cover letter. Just add that you will be contacting them in one week to follow up, then do it. It shows initiative.

KSigkid · #7 05-20-2003, 12:22 AM

I wouldn't totally count out the high school thing. Naming your high school/diploma type may be out of the question, but you never know with awards.

I won a few national journalism awards in highschool, awards where i was competing against professional journalists, or against students across the country - I included them because of the competition I faced in each.

I'd say make a judgement call on things like that, not just get rid of them right off the bat.

DeltAlum · #8 05-22-2003, 11:58 AM

Once again, speaking as a hiring manager, I find most all "objectives" on resumes good for a nice chuckle -- then move on to what I thing is important -- experience.

I think I mentioned on another thread, resume forms have changed -- and continue to change -- every few years. I think that is so the "experts" and HR people can continue to be "experts" and HR people.

In reality, I think it's what you've done and accomplished that get's you an interview -- not how nicely worded your "objective" is.

And, even after graduating in 1965, I still list my high school. If the hiring manager doesn't care, she/he won't read it. And, although not too likely, you might run into a recruiter who is from your home town or even your high school, and it draws attention to yourself and even gives you a conversation point.

Only my opinions with no basis in fact.