View topic - What's so bad about my resume???? :: Work and Career Discussion Board

Katy

This is a last resort, because there simply has to be something on my resume that screams "YOU DON'T WANT TO HIRE THIS PERSON EVEN IF SHE WERE THE LAST PERSON ON EARTH!!!!!" to HR folks. I know people who are stupid and irresponsible, people are former crackheads who still spend their weekends getting so drunk they can't find their way home, etc. who get jobs yet I don't. I've included my resume and a sample cover letter--this is one I used to apply for an Administrative Assistant job not long ago.

My skills aren't bad--I type fast (faster than most people and far faster than the requirements for every job I've ever seen), I know a lot about computers, I'm semi-fluent in Spanish and Braille, I've done a lot of volunteer work, my GPA was not TOO bad... All I can come up with is that there must be something horribly wrong with my resume and applications. I've had many people check over my resume--friends, people from Michigan Works! etc. and they never find anything wrong except little stuff like wording and where some things are listed. But there must be something absolutely awful about it, so maybe someone here can see it.

Known weaknesses:
--It is long. Currently I'm trying to get it back down to two pages; unfortunately once I get just my skills and this very small part of my employment history on it, it spills onto two pages already so I don't know what else I can take off.
--There is no objective. I will not put one on. I tried using one in the past and between forgetting to change it to apply for different jobs and feeling that the objective seemed to serve the same purpose as the cover letter, I choose to leave it off.
--I know there are things about church listed; I can't help it that's where much of my leadership experience comes from so I chose to leave it rather than looking like I don't have this experience.
--I know it is rather unfocused; that's because *I'M* rather unfocused. I haven't had a specific education for a specific job, and I haven't held a certain job for ten years and hence that's what I can do. Truth is, there are a lot of things I can do/could learn to do, so I choose not to tailor to any specific position; I also feel that I have so few strengths/experiences that I need to list everything I have. I do not have the time or patience to write a new resume for every crappy job I apply for.
--And yes, I know there's a huge employment gap; this was due to not being able to find a job over one summer (summer of '04) and after graduation. I haven't a clue how to explain it, being as the simple truth is: no one would hire me. It's not like I took off time to join the Peace Corps or have open-heart surgery or go back to school or anything that's not going to look bad.

Sorry about the difficulty of reading...that's what happens when a formatted resume gets pasted. Note that in my actual resume, I use bullets in the "skills" and "activities/honors" section.

Thank you! I just don't know what else to do.

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EDUCATION

2001-2005 [my alma mater]. Bachelor of Arts in Communications, cum laude. GPA 3.66

SKILLS

-Excellent spelling and grammar
-Outstanding writing ability
-Good organizational skills
-Experience in leadership positions
-Able to meet deadlines
-Self-motivated; capable of working both unsupervised and as a team member
-Experience working in a stressful, fast-paced environment
-Experience working with the general public, both face-to-face and over the phone
-Familiar with multiple versions of Microsoft Windows (including programs such as Word, Works, Outlook, Access, Excel, Publisher, and Microsoft Picture Editor) and Apple Macintosh operating systems (OS X and earlier), experience with Linux operating systems
-Experience in cash handling, including closing procedures
-Above-average keyboarding skills (70-80 wpm)
-Language skills: some knowledge of Spanish, basic knowledge of -Grade 1 Braille (interested in continuing education in these areas)
-Knowledge of AP style
-Knowledge of standard office machinery

EMPLOYMENT

Nov 2006-present [name of bank I work at] Data Services Department ([my location])
Providing support to Data Services department, its employees, and its management. Organizing, tracking, and submitting bills; attending meetings and taking minutes; scheduling meetings; tracking attendance and preparing payroll materials for HR; first contact/access control for visitors to the secure area; preparation of documents, spreadsheets, databases, and materials using programs such as Word, Publisher, Access, and Excel; ordering of supplies; preparing reports using data; tracking and preparing some billing to outside businesses; distributing mail; organization projects; filling in at the Help Desk (tech support) as needed; interacting with and assisting employees of the bank within the main offices/branch and statewide, as well as some outside vendors and customers; general office duties such as faxing, copying, filing, typing, proofreading; other projects as necessary.

Mar-Aug 2006
[name of eBay consignment store I worked at] ([my location])
Writing and editing eBay listings using specialty software; evaluating items for listing; photographing items to be listed; editing photographs using Microsoft Picture Editor; customer service (both face-to-face and over the phone); coordinating, writing, and editing customer newsletter; filing and organization; some packing and shipping; some other word processing; other tasks as needed.

Aug-Dec. 2003
[name of student newspaper at my alma mater] ([location of college]; [name of college]student newspaper)
Copy Editor/Staff Writer
Checking articles for spelling and grammatical errors; editing length of stories; interviewing for stories; writing regular news and feature stories

ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

-2004: Inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society.
-2001-2005: Contributed to the [name of student paper] as a staff writer or guest writer, photographer, and copy editor
-2001-2005: Received scholarships for ACT score, music, and community service
-2001: Developed, organized, and chaired a fundraiser to benefit the victims of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks
-2000: Ordained as a deacon in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and served on the Board of Deacons from 2000 through 2001, and January-April 2006. During these times, I worked with the [name of local food pantry network] as a representative from my church to the executive board. My duties included attending board meetings, writing articles for my church's newsletter about the Food Pantry, and assisting with food drive activities.
-1999: Developed, organized, and chaired a car wash fundraiser to benefit earthquake victims in Turkey.
Throughout my college career, I achieved academic status that allowed me to be on the Dean's list seven of my eight semesters at college.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

2003-2005 [name of student paper] (student newspaper)
Staff Writer, Copy Editor
Checking articles for spelling and grammatical errors; editing length of stories; interviewing for stories; writing regular news and feature stories. Developed new ideas for stories and regular features.

1996-2005 [name of my mother's former workplace] (non-profit resource & referral agency)
Clerical Volunteer
Various duties including filing documents, faxing, typing, photocopying, shredding, proofreading, stuffing envelopes, and participating in outreach events in the community

In addition, other smaller volunteer experiences with organizations such as [name of my church], [name of my town's recycling program], [name of my town] Law Enforcement Explorers, work in the [name of my alma mater] nature preserve.

Earlier employment history available upon request
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To whom it may concern,

My skills in customer service, clerical work, communication, and computer operation, as well as my experience in these areas, make me the ideal candidate for your opening for an Administrative Assistant.

My current position is as an administrative assistant in the Data Services (technology services) department of [name of the bank I work at]. My duties are numerous and include scheduling of and notation at meetings, ordering of supplies, data entry and document/spreadsheet/database creation, receptionist duties for the department, preparing attendance and payroll materials for the Human Resources department, tracking department bills and preparing billing for outside businesses, providing support at the Help Desk (tech support for the 120+ branches statewide), and many ongoing projects. During my time at the bank I have created many new methods of organization to streamline operations for both myself and others, and have worked to expand my knowledge of banking and information technology.

I have always possessed outstanding communication skills; I not only acquired my skills through my courses toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, but have, throughout my life, utilized my abilities through writing (including school papers, journalism, persuasive writing, and marketing materials) and some public speaking. My writing and proofreading/copy editing talents are excellent, and I am often the person coworkers, friends, and fellow students have come to for help with schoolwork, business documents, resumes, and other papers.

I have computer skills in many areas, including across three operating systems and in Microsoft Office. Many of my computer skills are self-taught, as I learn easily both by using programs and by information gathered from others through observation.

Much of my previous employment experience was in fast-paced environments, from McDonald's at dinnertime, to late nights at a newspaper on deadline, to projects that need to be completed as soon as possible. In addition, earlier jobs and volunteer activities gave me expertise in operating most office equipment.

My current and past employment, as well as my education, have given me skills in organization and multi-tasking; all required that I handle multiple tasks, adhere to deadlines, and pay close attention to organization and detail. It was also imperative in all that I work with some level of independence and without supervision, and many required a fast pace of work. I have worked with projects where I needed to take initiative to get the job done. In addition, my background almost entirely comprises customer service (face-to-face, over the phone, and over the internet); I have worked with customers in many situations, including help with company services, giving information about the company, and solving problems.

I urge you to speak with my references, one of whom is a Mortgage Banker at [name of company I applied to], who can advocate my skills and character. They comprise former employers, former professors, and mentors who are well-acquainted with my abilities and potential.

I am excited at the prospect of working with you at such a successful, highly-regarded, and experienced company as [name of company], and I would love to talk with you further about my qualifications and how I would be of benefit to you. Please feel free to contact me at [my phone number] or [my cell phone number] if you have any questions or agree that I am the right candidate for the position. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[my name]

Mary

I'm in the USA, but here's the deal. Your format isn't consistent with what is usually expected for professional jobs. Employers like standard formats because it helps them evaluate candidates with "like" information. That's why they like applications -- same info on each candidate helps them compare. That's # 1; number 2 is if your resume is more than one page -- it shouldn't be. You haven't been in the work environment that long -- nor are you in an executive occupation or a high tech or medical field that would allow you to have more than a one--pager. Make it one--page -- PERIOD! Another problem -- you say you choose not to put an objective. You have to. A "specific" objective not only tells the employer what you want, but it helps you direct the language of your work history so that it slants toward a goal. Otherwise, it becomes a mis-match of words that don't really relate and only tells an employer that what you want in a job is only as good as your last job -- same ole thing, darlin! Change it according to the job you are seeking . I know you said you couldn't keep up with it, but that's the next problem. You don't see the job hunt as a job. The job hunt itself is a job. You must plan it -- plan for it and work it like a job. If you get lazy with it, you'll not get the best opp. It's a marketing effort and your resume is your first and best marketing tool. There's so much about this effort that screams marketing skills that I'll tell you this one thing that will probably be the best advice I can give...As a professional networker and someone who has written resumes professionally for all types of job seekers for years successfully -- NO ONE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO WRITE HIS/HER own resume without help. I honestly couldn't do the best job for myself. My take is that we know too much info about ourselves to edit our own history and know the best words to market ourselves. So, engage a professional to help - best money you'll ever spend. Will save you hours of frustration. Or, find a good template that will guide you. I believe in providing information and insider tips on not only how to write the best resume but also the best cover and what words are better to use. Some people "poo poo" the whole "key word" approach to resumes, but it absolutely works! There are just certain words that grab. I've helped people who are not even US citizens get job opps and also people with little work history secure good job opps with the right words. You really have to approach this as a marketing gig. You can get what you want -- you just have to give it some attention -- format, form, the right words and on you go. Good luck.

Warren

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