Resumés

[dewline]

I have an assignment from my job search coach: select three advertisements for jobs I'd like to apply for, and work up another two-page version of my resumé. Said revision should include as many "keywords" from the advertisement(s) as possible within the first half-page.

I feel as though I'm missing the point again here, because I am focusing on line- and word-editing instead.

Comments

[princessofgeeks]

Do you know about the website Ask A Manager?

[dewline]

Yes. Noticing the tag for "resumes"...

[thewayne]

Keyword front-loading SUCKS. You can no longer let your work history speak for itself.

[dewline]

Indeed not. For those of us with the work histories that read like the flight paths of migratory birds - including me - it's even more troublesome.

[agoodwinsmith]

I am of the very not helpful opinion that this is busy work. All this does is allow HR beings to scrape a pile of resumes that will not be considered, but will give the illusion of a "wide field".

Sorry. I know that some of the function of this exercise is to remind the job-seeker that they *do* have a raft of skills that can get lost in the compression of a life into two pages. Also, sometimes the jargon has changed, and the job-seeker needs to keep up because the gate keepers have only one job, and boy do they love it. Sorry, sorry, sorry. My sarcasm is up to eleven. I shall retire and pretend it was with dignity.

[pauamma]

An acquaintance of mine used to (maybe still does) maintain a spreadsheet with 3 columns: position held, job duties, and keywords, and search the 3rd for positions to highlight in their resume or cover letter.

[dewline]

I am growing sicker of designing and maintaining spreadsheets, but I'll have to build this one too, won't I?

[pauamma]

The way I see it, you will end up having built it anyway. Whether up front, on the fly, or a mix of both depends on what you find easier to do.

[sambuca_smile]

You've got this Dwight! <3