I've spent 5.5 years on active duty and 6 in the reserves. I'm Artillery officer by trade but right now I work in the MAGTF Staff Training Program helping to train MEF staffs in planning. On the civilian side I am an operations supervisor for a medical supply company managing their delivery drivers. I'm looking to move up in my career but I don't think my resume adequately portrays my experience. I'm looking for some help in reshaping it to make it more appealing.
Answers
Hi Adam-
I am retired after a 40 year career in industry where I hired over 100 people. Now I am helping veterans like yourself by helping with their resumes. If you would e-mail me your resume (drjamesfwatson@gmail.com) I would be happy to comment on it. I also recommend the book "Tired of Eating Peanut and Butter Sandwiches? - Tips to Get a Job Fast" available on Amazon. It contains practical advice. Good luck in your search!!
Jim Watson
Adam,
My company provides free resume critiques to all military service members. You can submit your resume to us via email or by using our secure online submission form:
Email: Info@ExpertResumeSolutions.com
Form: http://www.tinyurl.com/ERS-Critique
Please allow 3-5 business days for completion.
We use two different formats for corporate and federal applications. I can send you examples of each to get you started.
Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kellywilliamsmaresca/
Thank you for your service.
Warmest Regards,
Kelly Williams
Career Strategist & President
Security Cleared Careers
Expert Resume Solutions
Business: (732) 686-6455
Email: info@expertresumesolutions.com
www.ExpertResumeSolutions.com
Job Board: wwww.SecurityClearedCareers.com
My family and I thank you for your service. The other two respondents offered their assistance in shaping your resume and I'm sure they will do an outstanding job. My question is - do you have the right material to put on the resume for their structure to be more impactful? If you want to move up in operations, have you considered getting an advanced degree such as an MBA? or a Six Sigma Black Belt or Lean Black Belt certification? Do you have volunteer activities that stand out? To me, these types of things show a well rounded individual who is looking to do more than the regular guy. You're a Marine 04, so you clearly have the intelligence and drive to succeed. Good luck. Semper Fi.
I'm also willing to review your resume if you send me a copy. I heartily endorse making sure you add specific accomplishments -- measurable. You can also take a look at adding information about why that accomplishment made a difference -- and how you accomplished it. I recently helped a young man who had "managed apartment complex" on his resume. It ended up stating that he "maintained 95% occupancy for three years." It also included some details on "how" he did that. This is the kind of information that matters to potential employers.
Adam, send me your resume and a couple of the positions that you'd like to apply for, and I can give you some guidance. In general, you want your resume to be self-explanatory and full of examples. A bullet point shouldn't read like a general statement. As an example, "Increased efficiency", is not a good description of what you did. However, "Increased efficiency for a 500-person team by 25%" does. It's probably not that your resume is bad, it's probably that it's so general that no one can grasp your performance. If you do nothing else, but add metrics to your existing bullets, you'll have a much better resume.
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