Somewhat OT - Resume ideas

[mmmmark]

Does anyone have a few good links for fresh, unique resume ideas? While I'm
perfectly capable of creating effective text, I always am curious what other
people are doing "to get noticed."

Obviously, IMHO, less is more. But...sometimes you need more to get
noticed--all else being equal.

Thanks,
-Mark

 

[Jeff Wiseman]

Does anyone have a few good links for fresh, unique resume ideas? While I'm
perfectly capable of creating effective text, I always am curious what other
people are doing "to get noticed."

Fluorescent yellow paper with 18 point fonts. That'll get you
noticed--if only for a second or two

I knew a guy that silk-screened his resume onto tee-shirts. He
got an interview everywhere that he placed a resume simply
because folks just wanted to meet the guy that would do something
like that.

Of course, he WAS looking for a job in marketing. I'm not sure it
would be as effective for someone trying to get a job as a mortician.

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Does anyone have a few good links for fresh, unique resume ideas? While I'm

I knew a guy that silk-screened his resume onto tee-shirts. He
got an interview everywhere that he placed a resume simply
because folks just wanted to meet the guy that would do something
like that.

There was a small trend of making resumes as Flash movies, by programmer
types looking for jobs. Presumably jobs using Flash.

DM

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Please note: my resume seems to work by provoking a determination on the
part of the employer to argue with me about my resume. Nearly every boss
who has hired me has then gone on to tell me I have a terrible resume

Gee, I don't know why anyone would say that, John. Aside from the awful
green shadow font, the too-small name, the blank bullets, splitting the
Military row of your sector experience table between columns, going from
green background to black for "Recognitions", and the odd-ball 4th page
footer, it's a not an utterly unattractive look! <vbg>

(Yes, I know that the only true purpose is to get you an interview - and
I'm sure it does that!).

 

[Jeff Wiseman]

Mark:

Yeah, it is.
http://www.jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/John McGhie Resume 2005.doc

Please note: my resume seems to work by provoking a determination on the
part of the employer to argue with me about my resume. Nearly every boss
who has hired me has then gone on to tell me I have a terrible resume

If you are getting lots of interviews and jobs, then it must be
accomplishing most of it's intent so your obviously doing enough
things right! I'm guessing that since your skills in presentation
and documenting tools are important in your job, then using the
resume as a place to show them off can always be a good idea.
Sort of like the guy I mentioned that silk screened his resume
onto T-shirts to hand out. He was looking for a job in Marketing
and the tactic worked well for him (100% of resumes placed
resulted in interviews)

When I was working as a software engineer for several years, I
used to rigorously structure my resume with efficient use of
white space in a programming-like fashion that would appeal to
software managers, since they are used to reading software all
the time. I wanted my attention to rigor and structure to be
evident in my work.

However, even with the success you have, you always need to ask
the question, "Am I eliminating myself from jobs I don't want to
be eliminated from because of my resume?"

For example, in the areas I look, many, many resumes are
optically scanned into a computer and the inital step of
elimination is done by a program. Even if you give your resume to
a friend who knows that hiring manager, the corporate structure
is that it will have to be scanned in to make it compatible with
HR's recording system. If your resume is not scanner and OCR
friendly, you will NEVER get to first base (i.e., having a human
actually looking at it).

 

[Beth Rosengard]

ROFLMAO!

Beth

Gee, I don't know why anyone would say that, John. Aside from the awful
green shadow font, the too-small name, the blank bullets, splitting the
Military row of your sector experience table between columns, going from
green background to black for "Recognitions", and the odd-ball 4th page
footer, it's a not an utterly unattractive look! <vbg>

(Yes, I know that the only true purpose is to get you an interview - and
I'm sure it does that!).

 

[Paul Berkowitz]

Gee, I don't know why anyone would say that, John. Aside from the awful
green shadow font, the too-small name, the blank bullets, splitting the
Military row of your sector experience table between columns, going from
green background to black for "Recognitions", and the odd-ball 4th page
footer, it's a not an utterly unattractive look! <vbg>

(Yes, I know that the only true purpose is to get you an interview - and
I'm sure it does that!).

I've got to agree that it looks really unprofessional for someone who's
looking for a job in document writing, template making, corporate document
design, and so on. Your achievements are truly impressive, and well stated
to catch the attention of whoever reads it. Excellent. But the formatting
sure would make me doubt that you were any good at it, or had much of an eye
for detail and accuracy, John. Where did the bullets go on the second column
of page 3, for starters? What happened to the space before on the Sydney
Electricity header on page 4? Honestly, if I didn't know it was you, I'd
recommend whoever made this résumé to study your articles, and Shauna's, on
Styles. It looks messy, and definitely not a good advertisement. I think you
need an editor, or just an informed friend, to provide feedback. I'm sure
Beth would do a great job...

--
Paul Berkowitz
MVP MacOffice
Entourage FAQ Page: <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/faq/index.html>
AppleScripts for Entourage: <http://macscripter.net/scriptbuilders/>

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[mmmmark]

Thanks, John. I'll venture a guess that an HR recruiter can honestly say
they've "never seen a resume like it!"

You obviously have considerable depth of experience and have condensed this
great volume of work into a format that--while not high on my personal taste
curve--apparently has secured you continuing employment based on its
content.

Whatever works for you. No one said we tech writers weren't unique. ;-)

-Mark

 

[John McGhie [MVP - Word and Word Macintosh]]

Hi Jeff:

However, even with the success you have, you always need to ask
the question, "Am I eliminating myself from jobs

I hope so: That's part of my resume's purpose

... I don't want to
be eliminated from because of my resume?"

I suspect not.

For example, in the areas I look, many, many resumes are
optically scanned into a computer and the inital step of
elimination is done by a program. Even if you give your resume to
a friend who knows that hiring manager, the corporate structure
is that it will have to be scanned in to make it compatible with
HR's recording system. If your resume is not scanner and OCR
friendly, you will NEVER get to first base (i.e., having a human
actually looking at it).

Yeah. I really hope so

Actually, you raise a very important consideration... Currently, IN
AUSTRALIA, the only companies that scan and computationally castrate resumes
are the "Hot Body" shops pumping the inexperienced and under-qualified into
sweatshops.

I am at that stage of my career when I really don't want phone calls from
the low-rent agencies. So you are quite correct: much of my resume is
OCR-unfriendly. But it wasn't intentional: It's largely laziness

The ghastly green drop-shadow is an original piece of WordArt from Word 6.
I LIKE IT!!!!

Cheers


--

Please reply to the newsgroup to maintain the thread. Please do not email
me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie <[email protected]>
Microsoft MVP, Word and Word for Macintosh. Consultant Technical Writer
Sydney, Australia +61 4 1209 1410

 

[John McGhie [MVP - Word and Word Macintosh]]

Yeah, well... Putting it up in front of you bunch of perfectionists is a
lot cheaper than hiring a proof-reader

Maybe I will get around to fixing it one of these days It's only been
really bad for about five years

I've got to agree that it looks really unprofessional for someone who's
looking for a job in document writing, template making, corporate document
design, and so on. Your achievements are truly impressive, and well stated
to catch the attention of whoever reads it. Excellent. But the formatting
sure would make me doubt that you were any good at it, or had much of an eye
for detail and accuracy, John. Where did the bullets go on the second column
of page 3, for starters? What happened to the space before on the Sydney
Electricity header on page 4? Honestly, if I didn't know it was you, I'd
recommend whoever made this résumé to study your articles, and Shauna's, on
Styles. It looks messy, and definitely not a good advertisement. I think you
need an editor, or just an informed friend, to provide feedback. I'm sure
Beth would do a great job...

--

Please reply to the newsgroup to maintain the thread. Please do not email
me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie <[email protected]>
Microsoft MVP, Word and Word for Macintosh. Consultant Technical Writer
Sydney, Australia +61 4 1209 1410

 

[JE McGimpsey]

The ghastly green drop-shadow is an original piece of WordArt from Word 6.
I LIKE IT!!!!