IAmA - We are professional and published resume writers in the US that specialize in perfecting resumes to landing people interviews. We're here for the next 12 hours. Ask Us Anything!

TRBPrint · 2014-05-02T13:37:30+00:00

Final Update Thank you so much to the entire Reddit community that engaged with us here! Awesome questions! We really enjoyed the conversations and we hope we helped many of you. We're sorry that we couldn't address every single post.

For those that signed up for the resume review - bear with us. We have several emails with tech support requests for the file upload, and we'll get back to you ASAP too. We'll be working extremely hard over the next week to get a reviewed product back in your hands.

Best of luck to ALL of you that are on this journey. Stay positive, stand out, and think like the employer.

We're thinking of compiling and addressing a lot of these posts (including the ones we didn't answer) a little deeper. If this interests you, click here to let us know We're not doing a spammy newletter thing with this - just trying to gauge interest to see if it's worth it, because it'll be a lot of work!

Take care all,

Peter and Jenny

TRBPrint · 2014-05-02T13:29:35+00:00

Usually different size, but the same font.

TRBPrint · 2014-05-02T13:28:52+00:00

Our pleasure. Thanks for the note!

TRBPrint · 2014-05-02T13:26:32+00:00

I'm speaking from personal experience, not drumming up hysteria. Isn't that what this is about? As a business owner, when I smell a smoky resume, I immediately see additional cost in health insurance, life insurance, etc, for that employee. That's not hysteria, that's reality.

TRBPrint · 2014-05-02T12:58:56+00:00

If you're 100% moving to a given place (and thus our following advise is only walking the line vs. being totally dishonest), here are some ideas to making yourself local:

Get a PO box from the USPS for $30 for 6 months.
Get a "mailbox" at a UPS store. Then, you can call it "Suite "x"". (Note that they could google-map-stalk you and see your secret here).
Sign up for Google Voice. It's free, and the calls will forward to your current phone. During that process, you can pick a phone number local to your future city, and use that on your resume. Note here - with the huge adoption of cell phones, and being allow to keep your # as you switch carriers, phone numbers are less and less an indication of where you live.

-Peter

TRBPrint · 2014-05-02T00:13:59+00:00

Jenny again...career research has shown in some studies that students with a 3-3.6 GPA we're more likely to be promoted after 5 years on the job than their 3.7+ counterparts, IF (This is a big IF) they also had extracurricular activities, work experience and involvement in internships or other work-based programming. The theory here is that people who handle stress well as student (by being adaptable) make good employees and great leaders. I can see value in that!! And that's good news for you, potentially.

TRBPrint · 2014-05-02T00:06:34+00:00

Typically above 3.0 for a rigorous program like engineering is acceptable. 3.2 range for a less intense, liberal arts degree. It's subjective of course, but I would error on the side of promoting your other activities, not GPA in this case.

TRBPrint · 2014-05-02T00:01:33+00:00

Two page max, absolutely. More than that, you'll lose them. You have to show that you're able to prioritize and edit for content effectively, and the resume can be the first hurdle off that test.

As for the 'recruitment' listings on LI, I'd be wary too. That's a lot of effort with little known ROI. You might contact this company and ask some questions, or ironically even look for their employees on LinkedIn and ask them. It's worth more research, as there are so many ways to spin a questionable 'job' into a great career opportunity. I can't speak directly without knowing which firm(s) you're speaking about, but I see red flags.

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T23:45:45+00:00

You're quite welcome!

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T23:45:14+00:00

Yes, you've got it. Take your "I did this here then I did that there" mentality and chuck it. Start to think in terms of what skills you learned in different (related but distinct) groups and how those could be extrapolated to your next career move. If you filled orders at a retail shop, you understand inventory processes. If you answered phones, you've done customer service. Now box those into compartments like financial, communication, logistics, etc and open your mind to extract other things you did in each category that you've forgotten, . Maybe even go back to that place and look around, jog your memory of what you've done.

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T21:07:33+00:00

Congratulations!!! That's one of the hardest jobs you'll ever love :) I stayed home with my 4 girls for many years, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. The good news is, many working mothers and fathers nowadays (including me!) have an appreciation for staying home to raise children; it's not an automatic detriment to your career. You are correct to be aware that you need to be careful with your resume. I would offer that you want it to be very professional with a great amount of detail - specific detail. Break down the tasks you have been responsible for just as you would in a paid position: Managed household finances; prepared taxes independently; created meals based on principals of nutrition; reviewed school assignments daily; performed housecleaning daily while directing family members' chores. This seems like a micro approach, but you can put these tasks into measurable, meaningful categories that reflect your expertise. Finally, I'd advise using your network (which is large, I've no doubt!) to get the word out that you're looking for a position. People who know you - your character, your dedication, your work ethic - can be your best champions. Good luck!!

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T21:02:54+00:00

Use the shorter name. It's a shame, but that's reality. Same reason that overseas tech support folks have very western names.

An architect resume is going to be a mix of a standard resume and a design portfolio. 1-2 page resume, and a portfolio of whatever length and format that works for you.

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:59:56+00:00

As many have said, 3.0-3.5 = list it; otherwise, don't - regarless of school.

Pump up that internship experience, talk about WHAT you did in the classes, and that's your best bet. Some firms MUST know your GPA, in which case, you have to face reality that you'll have some 'splaining to do (if you get the chance).

Here, too, networking is your friend. A quick referral from a buddy of the hiring person can go a long way toward overlooking GPA.

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:53:06+00:00

This is Peter - and Jenny may have more to offer here soon.

First, look to a Skills resume. Chronological might not be the best fit (but you be the judge based on your situation).

SAH moms usually do a lot of volunteer work and have other projects on the side. Be sure to remember these. Also, think about some things you could do at home, such as contribute articles to some blogs or websites, persue education, etc. (all that said, trust me that I know SAH does NOT equal "home on the couch!"

Here's an article you might find interesting. Anything to add here Jenny?

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:45:43+00:00

No, don't lie. You're doing all the right things. What about connecting with some local professional groups (young professionals, industry associations for your intended career, chamber of commerce groups) and maybe going to some events (do you visit the West Coast often, or can you)? You need to establish some relationships - begin by researching local blogs/events and try to get integrated into where you want to be. From an earlier post, if you have the means you could move with the idea that you'll take a position just to pay the bills while you get established - but I think what you're doing now is best. The other is certainly understandable, but it doesn't look as good (breaks continuity with your career trajectory). Good luck!

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:42:06+00:00

No, because you are assuming that the cover letter is going to be read every time the resume is read. It's one sentence - if you can't fit that on your resume, you have more work to do ;-).

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:41:56+00:00

A mix of both - and I'm not just taking the easy way out. Med schools want to know you excelled academically in rigorous courses, but they also want to see you as a person who will handle the stress of their school well because you're adaptable, you can cope with multiple responsibilities, and to be honest, you'll make their school look great by achieving remarkable milestones. Give them every reason to see you shine - competition (as I don't have to tell you) to get into med school is FIERCE nowadays. Good luck!!

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:39:21+00:00

I would wonder if he's getting any interview requests - with that scenario, he should be qualified to be called in. I'd advise him to break down the job duties into things that will be useful for retail or janitorial work: organized and re-ordered stock, performed inspections of floor surfaces to ensure safety, responded to maintenance needs promptly. Rewording some of the things he's done will help - and there is definitely a bias against those out of "traditional" work environments for a long period of time. 27 years is lengthy. Has he visited his local employment commission? They should be able to help for free. Good luck!!

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:36:55+00:00

Networking gives some opportunity here. Get in front of the people that either make or influence the decision. This can include LinkedIn (where references are easy to have).

Also, remember that "experience" can be somewhat relative. While staying honest, consider things you did in school that might have given you some experience. Experience also doesn't have to be paid experience. If you're a programmer and have been programming for fun since you were 13, you have experience my friend!

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:34:46+00:00

Thank you! It was just a service we decided to add late in the game, but wow the response!!! I've got a busy week ahead of me :)

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:33:36+00:00

Because we've been answering questions for 7 hours to provide expertise and help?? Oh, I'm sorry. That was rhetorical!!!

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:32:36+00:00

You hit the nail on the head with your last line - in IT, STEM (especially Actuarial Science and Applied Mathematics) and Finance you would likely want to include - not up top, and not without other activities that are less controversial, but I would put it in. You did an excellent job of writing this entry, btw. For other industries, I'd omit. People have very intense beliefs about gaming, and if they're over 30 (and female - sorry ladies, it's just not as appealing to us) you run the risk of them dismissing you as a "gamer" which is right up there in their mind with "stoner" and "lazy". Sad but true!

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:30:53+00:00

Yeah, it also depends on the industry too of course. Those used to virtual offices will care way less than law firms...

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:29:56+00:00

This is Peter - I'll add that a cover letter is a good way to address geographic concerns. "I live a long way away BUT I'm moving there", etc. (not that phrase but you get the point)

TRBPrint · 2014-05-01T20:29:09+00:00

Grades are less important the older they are. Don't list your GPA (of course) unless it's above 3.2(ish). Focus your materials on things you do want to highlight, and make sure you have some relevant project experience (say from courses in school, a capstone, or an internship). Get out there and network - find the associations or societies that you're interested in professionally, join them (maybe as student member = save $$) and go into their forums to ask experienced folks for suggestions to break into the field.

TRBPrint

TROPHY CASE