Thread: Resume advice

  1. #1
    Cheesy Poofs! PJYelton's Avatar
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    Resume advice

    I'm getting ready to write my resume to start applying for my first programming job and I've got a question.

    My fiancee who has had great success with her resumes in the past, although only for admin assistant type jobs, swears that I need a small section/paragraph at the end to be used as a "get-to-know-you".

    She says that it helps give an employer a better idea of your personality, and all of her resumes have an "Interests" section at the end that will list things like Architecture, travel, water skiing, Harry Potter, Indian curry and others.

    But all of the sites that talk about resumes don't mention something like this at all, and when I tell her that maybe I shouldn't have it she thinks I'm making a big mistake.

    Anyways, for the professionals out there, what do you think? Should I have such a section? If you were hiring somebody would you want it on there?

  2. #2
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    Skip the "get-to-know-you" section. That's what I call my "Objective" section. I just explain what I'm looking for in a job.

    Keep in mind that you should keep a resume to 1 page, and going on about your personality for a paragraph isn't (or maybe shouldn't) leave enough room to list your past jobs/experience. An interviewer isn't going to care that you enjoy biking or that you have the biggest ball of earwax on the planet. They want to know what you can do for them and for their company. If they care about what you're into on the side, they'll ask you during the interview or on a lunch break a week into your new job.
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  3. #3
    Cheesy Poofs! PJYelton's Avatar
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    Well, she argues that it shows you are a well rounded person which should be more attractive than some drone who only lists their qualifications - all other things being equal.

  4. #4
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    Like I said, I'm sure they'll find all that out in the interview. They don't want to know that you're a jack of all trades or that your neighbors adore you because you have a sense of humor, they want to know that you can do the job you're being hired for. Period.
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  5. #5
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    Anyone else heard about professional resume companies? Like, you give them your information and they paint the rosiest picture possible with it? I've heard good things about doing something like that.

  6. #6
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    bah... why pay for it? There's enough examples on the web and I'm sure just about everyone here knows someone that is decent at creating resumes.
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  7. #7
    It's full of stars adrianxw's Avatar
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    Everyone who has replied so far has been from the US, so it is probably a cultural thing, but my "short CV" is about a page and a half, and includes, not a paragraph, but a short list of keywords about my interests. I always send a third document, (Covering mail, short CV are the other two), which goes into a little more detail about some of the firms I have worked for and what I did there, this is about 3 pages.

    I also think there is an element of fashion in CV's one year there longer, the next shorter.
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  8. #8
    Cheesy Poofs! PJYelton's Avatar
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    Thanks for the advice!

    Does anyone else (preferably in America!) agree or disagree with ober about not putting interests in a resume?

  9. #9
    Usually you only put your interests on the resume when the other information doesn't fill out the page - it's a filler.

    I always include my objectives which is a very short blurb about my goals and future plans - like certifications I'm aiming for or the field of interest I have concerning programming.

    At the bottom I include my relative experience.

    I've also found that sending your resume via a FAX is the most sure way to get a response.
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  10. #10
    cereal killer dP munky's Avatar
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    i know a couple of other people have already said this, but i have to agree, a potential employer doesnt really care about your personal interests, he wants to know if you can do the job, the get to know you comes afterwards.....when you get the job. why would they care about your personallity if they might not even hire you?
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  11. #11
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    Originally posted by OneStiffRod
    I've also found that sending your resume via a FAX is the most sure way to get a response.
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  12. #12
    Its not rocket science vasanth's Avatar
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    Well many of my dads friends who hire people here give me a different picture.. They do read information such as personal interests etc... They say they do this because it gives them an insight into the persons thinking.. THough this is not necesary for simple jobs.. jobs where you are required to co-ordiante, manage people, work in team etc.. will require that you add other details...

  13. #13
    Are you kidding ME??

    I get a response next day or same day when I send my resume by FAX as opposed to email which will often go days without response or at all.
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  14. #14
    Cheesy Poofs! PJYelton's Avatar
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    Vasanth, is this in India or America?

  15. #15
    It's full of stars adrianxw's Avatar
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    >>>
    I get a response next day or same day when I send my resume by FAX as opposed to email which will often go days without response or at all.
    <<<

    Any firm that did not acknowledge my e-mailed CV within 24 hours, (assuming I had sent it at a reasonable time), would have blown their chances as far as I'm concerned. I don't however, ever recall that happening. It would be impolite not to at least acknowledge receipt and give some idea of when they will write again.
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