Resume question

paprika28

Since you ladies are all awesome with grammar/formatting skills, I felt this was a good place to ask, especially for those who frequently review resumes.

When you're looking over a resume, would you rather it be paragraph style or bullets? I've had mine bullet style for a while, and I'm just a little concerned it looks like I'm just listing my current & past responsibilities, rather than selling my skills. Any imput?

cupcakesfrosting

I prefer bullet style. Most hiring managers (at least one's I've dealt with) don't READ a resume. They skim through, see what your qualifications are, and either call you or don't. I think that paragraphs give way too much room for errors.

Just what ever you do, don't do a "Functional Resume". They suck.

SarahPLiz

Also, I'd get several people to proofread it. "Imput" is not a word. 

cupcakesfrosting

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_resume-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:55714db0-0fc1-404c-9082-09f3bd7a00a5Post:03ce51ec-3420-45a7-8655-e5bcece0d0cb">Re: Resume question</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, I'd get several people to proofread it. "Imput" is not a word. 
Posted by SarahPLiz[/QUOTE]

Sarah, FTW!

Spell check is your friend. And Grammar check.

paprika28

Haha. I just saw that I put that. I'm such a dingbat. I'm usually pretty good with grammar and spelling; I had a long morning at work, I'm watching a movie and not paying attention to what I'm typing.  I can't believe I actually wrote imput. Wow.

Thanks for the feedback- I'm just trying to update my resume to send out, and the paragraph style threw me for a loop. Avoiding functional resume at all costs. Thanks!

SarahPLiz

Even if its not for spelling or grammatical errors, i still suggest a few proofers. You want to make sure that it is understandable to a wide range of people.

 Avoid using tons of industry-specific or company-specific acronyms. When I get a resume from someone that used to work at Dell, for example, that is littered with internal acronyms, I throw it out. It doesn't convey anything meaningful to me. 

[Deleted User]

Bullets are the way to go, but you definitely want to sell yourself too. If you have a common job title and are applying for something relatively similar, then the hiring manager probably has  a good idea of your basic responsibilities, so try to put down a couple of bullets of job duties and save a couple of bullets to tell the resume reader what you have brought to the table while you've been there.

When someone is reading 1K resumes per week, you really need to stand out. Illustrating how you've contributed to the bottom line or been awarded for your work will do that. A listing of your responsibilities won't.

And yeah. Functional resumes make me want to throw up. It's usually obvious that they are just trying to hide their poor tenure or lack of related job experience.

paprika28

Thank you. I think my biggest issue right now is not over using the words 'responsible' 'maintaining' and 'consistently'. It's popping up on my old resume like crazy, and driving me nuts. So far, I've been able to avoid any company-specific terminology; it's just those three words.

Nebb

What are functional resumes?

SarahPLiz

Nebb, i am assuming those are the ones that list that you know how to operate basic office machines, are a team player, etc. 

cupcakesfrosting

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_resume-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:55714db0-0fc1-404c-9082-09f3bd7a00a5Post:a6feb04a-8208-4d14-bc81-65946e6f99ef">Re: Resume question</a>:
[QUOTE]What are functional resumes?
Posted by Nebb[/QUOTE]

Nebb and Sarah: <a href="http://www.resume-resource.com/Examples/functional-resume-sample.gif">http://www.resume-resource.com/Examples/functional-resume-sample.gif</a>

SarahPLiz

That's what I was thinking. That just screams BS to me. 

Nebb

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_resume-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:55714db0-0fc1-404c-9082-09f3bd7a00a5Post:c7f1a98b-8633-4620-bd46-a280dc4733d7">Re: Resume question</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Resume question : Nebb and Sarah: <a href="http://www.resume-resource.com/Examples/functional-resume-sample.gif" rel="nofollow">http://www.resume-resource.com/Examples/functional-resume-sample.gif</a>
Posted by cupcakesfrosting[/QUOTE]
Ahh those. I hate those.

cupcakesfrosting

One thing I hate about resumes/applications: You attach a resume, and then the app asks for References. Shouldn't your previous employers / supervisors be your references? Why do I need to have 3+ jobs with contact info, AND 3+ references? It's a little irritating. If they asked for 3+ PERSONAL references, I could understand..

paprika28

I really just want to be able to put on a resume that I have basically run this store for the past 7 years but because the district manager and I have different views and opinions on certain aspects of the company, I haven't been considered for promotion and I don't know that I could accept one. I have all of the qualifications necessary for almost any customer service/retail/administrative assistant type job and I'm in the process of getting a degree.

cupcakesfrosting

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_resume-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:55714db0-0fc1-404c-9082-09f3bd7a00a5Post:c439228b-61b0-4b5c-97d9-6688fd6fd65f">Re: Resume question</a>:
[QUOTE]I really just want to be able to put on a resume that I have basically run this store for the past 7 years but <strong>because the district manager and I have different views and opinions on certain aspects of the company, I haven't been considered for promotion and I don't know that I could accept one.</strong> I have all of the qualifications necessary for almost any customer service/retail/administrative assistant type job and I'm in the process of getting a degree.
Posted by paprika28[/QUOTE]

You can't really put that on a resume or an application. Just stun them with your qualifications and the fact that you're in school to get your degree (in what, btw?), and then explain at the interview if they ask why you're wanting to leave Store X.

paprika28

I totally know I can't put it on there- I wouldn't anyway. Business administration, by the way. It's been a long process- DD does not make courses easy- online or in a classroom.