Resumé writing

Anyone know where I can get a good start on how to write a good resumé that's not a cut and paste option that recruiters can see? I sent in an application to an engineering intern job just kinda testing the waters and they emailed me asking for one. I've been an electrician for 14 years and have had my masters license for 5. I've never had nor written one. Any advice is welcome. Thanks!

 

That's exciting, I hope it all works in your favor! I'm in a similar situation, was a lineman for years, both shoulders failed on me, 3 surgeries later with 1 pending and no longer physically safe to do the job. Career change time. Some tips from an HR hiring manager friend of mine, and being a former hiring manager myself:

Keep it on 1 page, don't overwhelm the person looking and keep it as easy as possible to read. Formatting, punctuation, spelling, etc.

Make your educational accomplishments clear and toward the top. If there are a lot of applicants along with you, key words are a quick way to weed out the people less qualified, education being one of the first they look at.

Another way to sort out the prime candidates is duration at each job. If you bounce around every year or two, they're less likely to take you on knowing they're going to have to start fresh when you leave in a year. You're a dedicated employee of 14 years, let them know you're eager to learn, and looking for a career....not a paycheck

Cater the resume to the job your applying for. You have great experience, word your resume to boast your experience and how it ties into the position you're applying for. Best way to do this is to read through the job posting and it's specific responsibilities, then manipulate your experience to speak directly to those points.

Here's a quick start that helped me a little, with templates.

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/24-practical-tips-make-your-resume-perfect.html


Again, best of luck! I'm sure some other guys have valuable input as well

 

I usually google for specific one like in your case it would engineering intern.
- Name and address on top
- Education/certicates
- Experience: from newest to oldest (bulletin point each line for each task)
- skills/references at last

 

Great point, 2 or 3 applicable references at the bottom would help

 

Great advice. Follow this and your probably golden.

 

@CaptSpaulding has great advice. One of the things that I've looked for when filtering candidates is how well the summary statement meets the key requirements in the job posting/description. The last time I updated my resume, I basically took the listed duties/requirements in the posting and make 3-4 bullets in my summary that showed I was a good fit.

 

I never use one "canned" resume. I always alter it to meet the job description.

 

Are you on LinkedIn? I used that platform exclusively while searching for a job and it's landed me several interviews

 

LinkedIn a good resource and also you work with recruiter. They probably can get you an interview fast and follow up with the company for you.

 

I didn't have a good experience with recruiters, but I also could afford to be selective since I was looking at jobs while I'm still employed. The really good jobs at higher end companies tended to deal with individuals using their own recruiters versus an agency. I had interviews with 2 of the "big 4" consulting firms, a private equity funded oil startup and a Microsoft systems integrator partner.

Recruiters are good when you need "a job" as their goal is to get people in front of companies because they're paid on commisson if their person gets hired

OP, feel free to shoot me a PM if you need someone to look over your strategy, resume and LinkedIn profile.

 

Always a blessing and a curse when looking for a job!

This is how I set up my resume
1. Summary (a relatively short paragraph summarizing you, your experience/education, skills, etc. most resumes are only looked at 3 seconds at a time. Have to make them want to look it over more)
2. Education/experience whichever comes first depends on which is more impressive)
3. Education/experience (this is when the least impressive of the two comes in)
4. Skills
5. References (optional)

Good luck bud!!

 

Indeed.com has a resume builder, helped me out alot!

 

Thanks for the responses! Even without a resume they sent me an invite to start testing. Not sure if it's for the intern position or the power plant electrician. Both are at the same company.

 

My resume


Honestly, when I'm hiring I only scan over resumes. Most people will hype up whatever they do on resumes and when you meet for interviews is when I'm really paying attention.

If you've applied for a spot where there is a job description, write your resume to fit that description well. Match a few keywords if you can, and don't just make a list of bullet points, a little blurb about yourself is good too. I pay attention to things like "works well with others, self motivated, self driven, not afraid to ask questions for confirmation".

Good luck bro. Don't tell them about the valve covers in the dishwasher, it screams rebellious.

 

This is what I have used since college. This is what you want to use as a professional and programmer in HR.

It’s easy to read for recruiters, it’s easy to print and mail, and most of all it’s easy for program languages to read if applying and onboarding online.

 

Mine for engineering and construction management looks similar.

 

The key these days is to analyze the job posting you're applying to for the most frequently used key words and then make sure your resume includes those without just directly copying and pasting from the job posting. If you get past the computers that screen everybody out, the person who eventually looks at your resume isn't really going to care what format it's in as long as they can glean the relevant info from it.

 

Open up your LinkedIn profile and polish it. My last 3 jobs have been through people just randomly reaching out on linked in

 

BE SPECIFIC


Don’t use the jargon-y “advanced the directives production management while maintaining performance evaluation checklist” bullshit that pollutes so many resumes.

“I managed an office with 10 doctors”

“I ran 3 crews of 5 linemen”

“I was awarded $10mil of contracts while estimating for this firm”

That sort of thing is interesting to an employer not the vague foolishness. Good luck

 

Yup. Quantify that shit. A. It looks better and B. It doesn’t leave gaps for questions or confusion on your accomplishments

 

I find it's better to simply call and speak directly to a person
https://youtu.be/5F-VQtEfbTU

 

I recommend chatgpt for any resume feedback recommendations, it's very crafty.

 

Take the pic of your buddies holding you upside down while you chug a beer bong off your FB page

 

I have a story, but I don't want to derail the thread. I'll find another one to tell it in......

 

well you'd better post a link, dammit.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/what-makes-you-angry.445/page-160#post-3219297

 

Yes it is that easy but if you have a resume already you can prompt or ask chatgpt " improve my resume" and then after that past in the text of your resume and it will do as such. The more specific you are with your prompt/questions you ask it, you will get a better result.

For example i prompt/asked chatgpt write one page resume for an electrician with 14 years of experience and master license for 5 years resulted in.....

[Your Name]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

Objective:
Highly skilled and licensed electrician with 14 years of experience and a master's license for 5 years. Seeking a challenging position in a reputable organization where I can utilize my expertise, knowledge, and problem-solving abilities to ensure safe and efficient electrical installations and repairs.

Summary of Qualifications:
- Master's License in Electrical Installation and Repair.
- Extensive experience in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems.
- Proficient in interpreting electrical blueprints, schematics, and diagrams.
- In-depth knowledge of local and national electrical codes and regulations.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team or independently.
- Committed to maintaining a safe working environment and adhering to safety protocols.

Professional Experience:
Senior Electrician, XYZ Electrical Services, [City, State]
[Month, Year] - Present
- Install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in residential and commercial buildings.
- Perform wiring, conduit bending, panel installations, and grounding.
- Troubleshoot electrical faults and perform repairs to ensure system functionality.
- Collaborate with clients, contractors, and team members to determine project requirements.
- Ensure compliance with electrical codes and regulations during installations and repairs.
- Train and mentor junior electricians, providing guidance and support.

Master Electrician, ABC Electrical Contractors, [City, State]
[Month, Year] - [Month, Year]
- Oversaw electrical projects from planning to completion, ensuring adherence to project timelines and budgets.
- Managed a team of electricians and supervised their work to ensure quality and safety.
- Conducted inspections and performed tests to identify and resolve electrical issues.
- Developed and implemented preventive maintenance programs to minimize downtime.
- Interacted with clients to understand their electrical needs and provided appropriate solutions.
- Maintained accurate records of project details, including material usage and labor hours.

Electrician, DEF Electric Solutions, [City, State]
[Month, Year] - [Month, Year]
- Installed and repaired electrical systems in residential properties, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
- Conducted electrical inspections to identify potential hazards and recommend corrective actions.
- Collaborated with contractors and clients to determine project requirements and specifications.
- Assisted in the development of project estimates and timelines.
- Managed and maintained electrical equipment and tools.

Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, [University Name], [City, State]
[Year]

Licenses and Certifications:
- Master Electrician License, [Issuing Authority], [Year]
- CPR and First Aid Certification, [Certifying Organization], [Year]

References:
Available upon request

Note: You can also ask chatgpt to customize your resume according to your specific experience, skills, and achievements or the job description. Consider including any relevant additional training, professional affiliations, or awards you may have received.

 

My go to link is askamanager.org and look up resume examples.

 

Highly recommend this; in fact, I can vouch for it working. Why?

Because I literally just got a job this way. Applied on the 4th of May for a job in Virginia near where my wife's parents are. Prospective employer called on the 17th to schedule an interview for the 2nd of June; and offered me the job on the 5th of June.

One thing I've personally found during interviews is that (with some very obvious caveats) it is never a bad thing to be honest and up front. I won't lie or pad #'s or what have you for anyone, nor will I try to oversell myself. For example, I hate the question "Tell us why you'd be the best fit for the job."

I hate that question. I always start out the same way: "I can't tell you why I think I'd be the best fit for the job; I don't know all of the details nor do I know the competition, but I CAN tell you what I bring to the table, and what my strengths are...."