What do you want to see?

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George Stolz

George Stolz

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Location
Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
Occupation
Service Manager
Saw an ad for an opening for an RW with a local shop. The ad said to fax a resume to xxx-xxxx.

I was wondering, because I would normally just fill out an application: what do employers like to see on resumes? I've never actually created one.

Looked for some ideas online, but found they conflict more than we do! :D

I appreciate the help, in advance.
 
Re: What do you want to see?

I normally want to see work history (employer name, service dates, and job responsibilities), along with educational history and certification(s). That normally is plenty to let the employer know if they want to interview you or not.
 
Re: What do you want to see?

Originally posted by pierre:
make a copy of all the posts on this site that you are involved with and add it to your Resume. :D
Click to expand...
I think I will pass on that suggestion if I ever have to look for work.

The future employer will wonder...

When does this guy actually work?
:eek:
 
Re: What do you want to see?

It may be different in your side of the profession, but here?s a few hints that may be of some use to you:
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  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The shorter the better. Keep it to two pages at most.</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"></font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Leave out any personal stuff (e.g., ?married with two kids? or ?my hobbies are . . . .?).</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"></font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Have a separate document with the names and contact information for three or four references. Then in the resume you make the short statement, ?References are available on request.?</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"></font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Emphasize skills (what you can do) and experience (what you have done). My preference is to de-emphasize the names of past employers. But if you do not list them on the resume in chronological order (as I do not), then you should have another document handy that has an employment history (as I do). On my resume, I state, ?References and a detailed employment history are available on request.?</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"></font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Keep foremost in your mind the one and only one purpose of a resume: To convince prospective employers that they want to talk to you. They see many, many resumes for any posted position. They will not read all of them in detail, but will scan through them, one-by-one, looking for reasons for tossing it into a file drawer (e.g., ?This guy never did any residential work, so he?s out?). You want them to keep yours on the desk. The way to do that is to figure out what they might be looking for, and tell them near the top of the first page that you have done that.</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Good luck.
 
Re: What do you want to see?

Exactly what Charlie b said.

While I was looking for my last position here, I had my simple two page resume out. I got a few calls from potential employers that called me and said they wanted a little more information. Tried to explain to me that I should put that information on my resume.

My answer was, resume's purpose is to get you to want to call and ask me more questions. Seems to me like it worked. Those positions didn't pan out financially anyway.

Ever heard of the KISS theory. (Keep it simple stupid). It usually works in most all situations.

Remember one of the other things Charlie said too. They look for reasons to throw your resume out and not bother. They don't want to waist their time. They try to narrow things down to 3 or 4 maybe 5 tops prospects if they have that many resume's to review.

Believe it or not sometimes they don't get as many as they lead you to believe. It's just like shopping for a car or a house. They try to get you to believe they have lots of people to choose from so they can keep the offer down.

Job hunting is not easy. You need to convince them that you can benifit them.
 
Re: What do you want to see?

Thanks for the replies, guys, keep them coming. :)

My problem is, I can't honestly drag a lot of good qualities out. My asset column is pretty low. :(

What would you call assets on your own personal resume?

"I can strip and tie reasonably quick" sounds retarded. "I usually see the fastest way to get the job done" "I do things right the first time" sounds stupid too. Besides, I've said there and heard the biggest losers out there brag about how good they are, and how fast they are. :(
 
Re: What do you want to see?

George are you running jobs for your current comppany? If so do you typically pull jobs in under your alloted schedule. From what I see you have a solid grasp on the code which is a hugh plus in my opinion. just sell yourself the best you can and remember make sure you get the job before you quit the one you have.
 
Re: What do you want to see?

George if you can't honestly drag a lot of good qualities out you should run for public office. But if your set on working for a living try tailoring your resume to the job you are seeking.
RW is a residential electrician, right. This is what you are doing at the present so you must be qualified. I would start with that seeking stable employment with a change for advancement line. You know, the reason you want to work for their company and not the one you're with. Then try to give some reason why they would wish to hire you and not the next guy. Things like you are sober, drug free, show up on time ( and every day ) , clean driving record, no criminal record. Then your goal if hired ( and if possible how you are doing to achieve that goal, classes or study ). Then the old work history, try and show that you are responsible and work well with others. I would try to visit the company and maybe a job site and that will tell you a lot of what to expect( on the sly of coarse). You never know, they may want someone to work real hard for real low pay. They never say that in the add for some reason.
 
Re: What do you want to see?

whats happening, first time i have talked on the site, but have been reading the posts for a while. you should try to find where the office is and drop off the resume, if they see you, they will see your serious about the job, and hopefully talk to you on the spot. it has worked for me in the past.
 
Re: What do you want to see?

Originally posted by seths:
... try to find where the office is and drop off the resume, if they see you, they will see your serious about the job, and hopefully talk to you on the spot. it has worked for me in the past.
Click to expand...
He might be on to something there. To me, appearance is half the battle. If I saw that you were well groomed and weren't wearing a wife beater, dirty cutoffs and had long greasy hair and all tatted down, I'd be likely to shift you to the top of the pile.
 
Re: What do you want to see?

look at typical resumes for one that fits your details. You are young without too much history so your resume will be neat and terse. good.

I assume RW shop meant residential wiring, but...SO...

far right justified, or centered, name address, phone, email

justified left (all edges aligned) for all that follows;

Goal: (optional) to obtain a more responsible position in electrical construction field.

Experience: yada yada years as a residential electrician. Complete experience from pre-construction plan check to punch list and trouble-shooting.
(if self employed, contractor, contractor's license, say so but emphasize professionalism, and experience would include bidding, estimating, and material take-offs.) here is where an honest but deep appraisal of your skills becomes a great asset. The right put up, but not too much. Get some help here and don't be afraid to ask for someone's help here.

Employment History:

DooWah Electric 123 back road hts 1998-2000
apprentice electrician

Speedo Electric 101 indust park 2001-2004
residential electrician, all phases.

Quality Electric ....................2004-2005
custom homes, old work specialists.

Education:
Just Another High School Tuscon, Az 1995-1998

IBEW apprentice classes So&So JC 1998-2004
or
Mike Holt's Grounding Seminar 2003

Such&Such Tech. Training, Overhere, TX, 2004

put on paper everything that you have, type
it out, then look at how to space it out.
don't worry if you resume is short. BUT
make your best point stand out without being
too obvious.

if it seems too sparse use more space for
the details, and space inbetween headings.

if you have a very good background in l.v.
or trouble-shooting, or anything, add it in
where it seems to fit.

paul
 
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