Author Topic: Critique my resume (Read 835 times)

SunTracker · « **on:** January 18, 2005, 04:54:53 PM »

I found an entry-level aquaculture job down in in Florida. They have asked that I send in my resume. Well, long story short, I am in college and am working my first job. So my resume is pretty bleak. Can you guys help me work it over?

DAVID B****
OBJECTIVE
   A position in the aquaculture industry.
EXPERIENCE
   2001¡V2005   United Parcel Service   Louisville, KY
Air Package Handler
ƒÞ   Employee of the month on three occasions.
ƒÞ   FAA airpark security clearance.


EDUCATION
   1997¡V2001   Jeffersontown High School   Louisville, KY
„X   Graduated with honors.
2001-2002   Jefferson Community College
„X   Earned 12 credits.
2002-2005   University of Louisville
„X   Majored in biology.
„X   Earned 44 credits.
„X   22 credits in biology related classes.
2004
„X   NAUI certified Open Water Diver
„X   NAUI certified Advanced Open Water Diver
INTERESTS
   Scuba diving, wildlife photography, aquariums, hiking, reading.

ra · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2005, 04:58:31 PM »

How big are your hooters? Post a pic.

rabbidrabbit · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2005, 05:03:36 PM »

Whats the point of objective ?

If you are going to do it use the opportunity to convey some useful information like" Self starting conciencious leader seeking an entry level position in the aquaculture profession. Willing to relocate and travel. Seeks challanging position that will utilize established skills while developing others.

You get the idea, about 3 sentences, to the point that this particular job warrents. Use it to define who you are and what you want while setting expectations of the reader of who will be walking through the door for an interview.

Sandman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2005, 05:08:56 PM »

Not that it matters, but what is "aquaculture"?

SunTracker · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2005, 05:10:03 PM »

growing fish and other aquatic animals in a closed setting.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2005, 05:11:34 PM »

Put your most recent and highest education first. Be more specific in what you are looking for. Show that you have a specific goal.

eskimo

SunTracker · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2005, 05:55:08 PM »

DAVID B****
OBJECTIVE
   Enthusiastic, hard working individual seeking an entry-level position in the aquaculture industry. Willing to relocate and travel. Seeks position that will utilize established skills while developing others.
EXPERIENCE
   2001¡V2005   United Parcel Service Louisville, KY
Air Package Handler
ƒÞ   Employee of the month on three occasions.
ƒÞ   FAA airpark security clearance.
   1995-2004
„X   Multiple fresh and saltwater aquariums ranging from 38 to 55 gallons.


EDUCATION
   2002-2005   University of Louisville Louisville, KY
„X   Majored in biology.
„X   Earned 44 credits.
„X   22 credits in biology related classes.
2004
„X   NAUI certified Open Water Diver
„X   NAUI certified Advanced Open Water Diver
2001-2002
Jefferson Community College Louisville, KY
„X   Earned 12 credits.
1997¡V2001   Jeffersontown High School Louisville, KY
ƒÞ   Graduated with honors.
INTERESTS
   Scuba diving, wildlife photography, aquariums, hiking, reading.

Lizking · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2005, 06:16:13 PM »

I wouldn't put the aquariums under work experience, but move that line down to hobbies.

Back when I was still in school for Marine Biology, I volunteered to maintain the display aquarium (600 gallon, I set it with local species) in the sciences building, and also assisted the grad students when mucking out their ponds to setup for experiments. Have you been able to do anything like that?

(I was also able to take grad level courses as a junior by doing those things, including getting my own 1/20th acre experimental pond).

SunTracker · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2005, 06:23:10 PM »

I haven't dont any volunteering, however, with my ecology class, I did some field work. I measured aquatic insect diversity in two different streams. Also measured tree diversity in a forest.

Heres the listing for the job I would like

Bivalve Nursery/Field Technician
Location:
Company: .
Company URL: Not Entered
Salary: $25,000 - $40,000
Closing Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Date Posted: Friday, January 14, 2005

Qualifications:
Hard work, some heavy lifting, licensed diver, boating skills, work with tools and basic construction methods, aquaculture experience or strong desire

Description:
Full time, Mon-Fri, along with alternating weekend 1/2 day. The work is in a bivalve hatchery, nursery and field location. Hard clam rearing, grading, systems maintenance. Also, work on species such as bay scallops, oysters and others.

Lizking · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2005, 06:33:33 PM »

Sounds like you are qualified, though you should probably expect stiff competiton and the lower end of the salary range. Don't juice up your resume, but impress the hell out of them in the interview. For certain bone up on the particular species they are raising.

Have you taken the Coast Guard boating safety course, and do you have any experience in commanding a small boat? If so, put that on the resume.

I would certainly talk about the field work, and any construction/plumbing experience you may have (in the interview).

Good luck, and remember that on this type of thing enthusiasm and a willingness to work hard is at least as important as your job expereince.

SunTracker · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2005, 06:39:03 PM »

Yeah I have alot of small boat experience (12 foot) but also some in my families 19 foot fish and ski.

Do I need a cover letter?

Lizking · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2005, 06:46:14 PM »

Always a cover letter. Use standard business headings, then:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am responding to your advertisement of January 14, 2005 in the for the position of Bivalve Nursery/Field Technician. My resume is attached <"included" if it is snailmal>.

I look forward to discussing the offered position and your company, and can be reached at (555) 555.1212 during business hours.

Sincerely,

Suntracker

After you write it, read it aloud to yourself and it should take no more than 7-10 seconds to read.

Lizking · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2005, 06:53:20 PM »

Just a few more hints:

Never staple or fold the resume/coverletter. Use heavy bond, not colored paper, and use an envelope big enough to send without folding. Use plain old stamps, no funky ones, and hand print the the addresses on the envelope. If you have the contacts name, put Attention: to the lower left of the company address on the envelope.

Remember, the idea is to get your resume from the Big stack into the little stack, since the interviews all come from the little stack.

Chairboy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2005, 07:00:39 PM »

If you can fit your resume on one page without making it look squished, do it. I gave preference to one paged resumes when I hired people.

SunTracker · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2005, 07:00:50 PM »

They said to email the resume. Should I email the text or attach it as a file?