Seeking Resume Help!!!!

Updated on August 28, 2010
B.W. asks from Minneapolis, MN
5 answers

I am in need of help with my resume. I have been struggling with it for months and I can’t really begin searching for a job without one. I’m in my early 30’s and had only worked for one company for almost 12 years when I was laid off in November. I think part of my problem is that I absolutely hated the company I worked for and the dead end jobs that I held. Towards the end I decided to go back to school however I was not the best employee… to say the least. My attitude and work ethic suffered. I stayed there after I was done with school for almost a year until I was laid off. I guess it was like a blessing in disguise because I was afraid to move onto something else and I have been given the chance to be at home with my kids for almost a year.
That being said I NEED to go back to work, but this resume business has really thrown a monkey wrench in my job search. I have looked at tons of websites, been to the library, workforce center, and spoken to the career placement counselor at my school…… but I’m still stuck. I feel so stupid that I can’t get a handle on this one task. I was lucky enough to be accepted into the Dislocated Workers program and that was the going to be the jump start I needed……. Maybe I’m being to passive in what I need assistance with?
Does anyone have any advice are suggestions websites, books, resources? I don’t want to pay someone because 1) I can’t afford it and 2) I’ve been told that employers can tell when a resume has been professionally written.
I’m so depressed, HELP!!!!

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More Answers

A.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi B.,
In my job I review resumes all day every day so I have a few suggestions for you....

Like the last person said you just want to list your job and the job duties under it. Make sure you have an opening paragraph that highlights your attributes (excellent communication skills, advanced skills with Word, Excel...etc) List your education and your major. List where you volunteer or any hobbies you have. Put at the bottom that references are available at request. Make it clean and to the point.

When it comes to your old job don't worry too much. It is against the law for your old job to say anything really bad about you. Pretty much all they can do is verify employment dates and that you actually worked there. If they want references then give them someone’s name that that you still get a long with as a work reference and not necessarily your boss.

One more tip...when explaining your gap in employment put that you were job hunting after being laid off...that sounds better then saying that you were at SAHM.

Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

this church has a free career counseling that will help with resume's as well as interviewing skills. it''s totally free and open to anyone, whether you belong to the church or not. also, they teach you how to do it and offer a lot of guidance and resources.

my husband went there several months ago and got tons of help.

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&vgnextoid=...

click here to find the one located nearest to you:
https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/center/find_center.jsf

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N.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

How you felt about your last Company will not reflect on your resume. All you need to do is bullet point what your responsibilities were and your personal qualifications. Highlight your accomplishments even if they were in your earlier days at the company. What were you studying at school? Were they career development courses? If so you should also put that on your resume as well as any training and languages spoken.

Do you think it will present a problem when they call for a reference? I’m asking because you said “I was not the best employee”.

When I had to revamp my resume I utilized Monster.com. They have a section where you can get examples of resumes and suggestions. Then I got the opinions of people from the Employment agencies I met with.

Best of luck to you!

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D.D.

answers from Detroit on

B,

Do you already have a resume put together that just needs cleaning up? If you have a starting point please feel free to PM me. I would be happy to look it over and give you some pointers (you can leave off your address and contact info if you like - we will just deal with the body). Just as important as the resume is your cover letter (sorry to add more stress), I always request a cover letter as it gives more insight into the persons ability to communicate.

PM me, I am not a professional resume writer (i.e. you do not have to pay me) but I have helped several friends and I have read enough good and bad resumes to know what generally works.

D.

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am a career coach and a professional resume writer. Employers can tell when a resume has been poorly professionally written. Some resume writers produce "cookie cutter" resumes that are so general it becomes obvious that someone who doesn't know the person wrote it.

I volunteer at WomenVenture (www.womenventure.org). They have highly experienced people to help with your job search and they offer their services at a sliding scale.

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