Where's a good site w/ reasonable rates on resumes'? or even some good software? Place I've been wanting to get on at the last few years has an opening and my resume did not even get me a phone call last time. HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!

 

Did you remember to include a cover letter with your resume taylored for the specific position and directed, ideally, to the person with authority to hire? It's crucial that you do. A cover letter needs to include three things 1) how you heard about the position and the fact that you wish to be considered for it 2) it enhances the resume by bringing up a few more details/examples about how your skills apply to the position thus making you qualified, and 3) paves the way for future communication (in your case, the phone call that YOU should make). I like to put some verbage in the cover letter which indicates that I will be contacting them in a few days (allow time for mail and in house paper shuffling). Then, I make it a point to follow up on the date that I indicated in my cover letter.

Monster.com should have a few examples of resumes and cover letters, yet there are many sources online. One thing to remember is that many of the people that charge you to prepare a resume are not all that great. For example, a person who is not especially familiar with your line of work may have difficulty expressing in words the things that are needed to make you shine. For this reason, I would suggest scouring the internet for examples. Focus on what the person is wanting to do, then take note of the things they use to try to sell themselves. With that in mind, think about what an employer will want to see in a person for the position at stake and taylor your resume to fit, remembering to NOT lie, but to illustrate what you can do for them. Also, there is nothing wrong with having more than one resume, each focused specifically for a type of work.

The person with the authority to hire will be more impressed with a resume that shows action and results as opposed to a "tombstone" resume. For example, I like to use phrases such as "revised welding proceedures resulting in a 10% reduction in manufacturing time and reducing overall warrenty costs by 20%." Things of this nature are great converstion pieces at interviews. A tombstone resume would simply say, "I improved welding proceedures". Also, the excessive usage of the word "I" bores people and becomes irritating to read. Try to use verbs showing action. As you prepare your resume, bring up examples of how you improved CQS. CQS???? That is Cost, Quality, and Schedule. Notices how my line above uses numbers to illuststrate the impact of my actions? Manages like to see these things as they directly impact the bottom line.

If you would like me to critique your rez when the time comes, feel free to let me know. Opinions from others are good, but do remember that different people will have different opinions on how your rez should look. Regardless of the format you use for your rez, it should be easy to read and follow, focused, to the point, and not ramble or be redundant. Plan on the person that looks at it spending just one minute reading it (unless you are applying for a CEO position). You need to catch their attention fast to get them to read it again, along with the cover letter, and spend more time thinking about it and ideally placing it in the pile of "I want to talk to this person" resumes. In the end, finding jobs is still like the dating game. You can be the most qualified, competent, skilled person out there but no matter how darn hard a guy tries there are places where you will never get in the door; that includes me. And as always, having a friend or acquaintance at the company that is in good standing will be to your benefit. Hope this helps and good luck .

 

Thanks for the offers, one of my wife's coworkers has someone to do it for me. The job is production supervisor with a golf cart manufacturer. The plant is about 2 miles from my house , be nice to drive less than 5 min to work, instead of the 35 min ride I have now. Just hope I can get it. Thanks again!!!!!!

 

Good luck!

 

Good luck man...I like anything that has to do with golf

 

Good words of advice Bill.

It can be tough to get your foot in the door - I am in that boat myself right now - have had some interviews but to no avail as of yet. Several months is way too long not to be working I think. Though for the number of resumes I have put out, I have not got the calls I have should be.

tyzf150 - good luck on your job hunt. When it comes to resumes, no software is going to get the trick done and as far as I am concerned the online resume services are a waste of money. Best bet is to look for examples of resumes for the type of work you are looking for. Bill's advice was very good.

 

Just to enforce that VERY IMPORTANT FACT...

I don't even look at "tombstone" resumes.

I am a business owner. I look for results. Those that can prove their history of results get the job. Period.

I'd say good luck but most of the time finding a good job doesn't have a darn thing to do with luck. It's all skill. So...Good Skill!