Kevin Murphy, MSW ⋅ Elgin, SC U.S. Air Force, Senior Master Sergeant ⋅ 26 years served

Thank You James I appreciate the expertise and insight. Please let me know if there is anything I can be of service to you. I sincerely thank you for your time and consideration.

Looking Forward to your Reply
Kevin

James Moore ⋅ Ozawkie, KS ⋅ 10 years experience

Hello Kevin,

I would be glad to look over your resume and offer any tips or suggestions.

send it to jamesmoore1818@gmail.com

Thanks,
James

Jacqueline Dye ⋅ Goose Creek, SC U.S. DEPT OF STATE ⋅ 34 years experience

Hello Kevin,
I am having trouble viewing your resume. It will not open for some reason. Employers are looking for specific qualifications that relate to the job you are applying for. Do not submit the same resume for each position. You should review the job qualifications employers are looking for then rewrite your resume and mention specific details that make you the most eligible candidate. Also visit USAJOBS.GOV the Federal Government is heavily hiring veterans NOW. Veterans are being hired over other potential candidates and are given top priority. Review each job announcement locate the name of the hiring official. Call him/her and tell them you are eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA). (SOMETIMES)This will allow you to apply and qualify for all appointments non-competitively.

Krystal Yates ⋅ Lewisville, TX EBR Consulting, LLC ⋅ 19 years experience

Hi Kevin, I too would be happy to review your resume. I believe that job seekers should have as many people as possible review their resume - professionals and friends. You will get all kinds of feedback, and wading through that will be the hardest part.

My advice to you on that is two fold. 1) There is no "right" resume. It is a very personal document that is different for everyone involved no matter what some experts will tell you. 2) Listen to everyone's advice and take only what feels right to you. This is your history and has to reflect you. For example, I will disagree with two pieces of advice you have already been given.

As long as you are looking for 1 specific position you should only have one resume. There is no need to rewrite it for every position, if you need to do that, it hasn't been properly put together in the first place.

Always put your dates on the resume. Leaving them off only makes someone who is trying to do the math (because yes, age discrimination does exist although it is getting better) think you are leaving the dates off for a reason. Bottom line, right wrong or indifferent, if they aren't going to hire you because of your age they aren't going to hire you. They will figure it out.

Mike Davidson ⋅ Saint Louis, MO Behavior Intervention Services ⋅ 10 years experience

Please feel free to email me. I will take a look and get back to you.

Thank you for your service,
Mike
Madavidson3@gmail.com

James Watson ⋅ San Diego, CA General Atomics ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Kevin-

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

David Jackson ⋅ Midland, MI U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 3 years served

Kevin,
The one thing that I would encourage you to do is be very careful of any dates that you post on your resume. The biggest form of discrimination in the country today is "working age" and if you show that you have a lot of experience (26 years) what you're telling an employer is that you're going to be expensive to hire because of all your years of experience. Show your military experience but do it without dates. Rule of thumb in writing a resume is not to go back anymore than 10 years. If you have things that are further out than that, then set up a category on your resume entitled "Additional Skill and Experience" That way you can list all those things that are important but would show your age. Employers want good but they also want cheap. List your education to include all your military training, but without the dates. I worked with a veteran once that showed a Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and because it was from that era, it showed him to be older which was causing him to be over looked for any interviews, and that's all your resume is supposed to do, is get you the interview. There are so many bits of information on resume writing and your military experience that should be included, that I can't possibly put all in here. So, if you would like some extra help, please feel free to get-in-touch with me. (prior service Army in Personnel, taught TAP, and worked for Veteran's Services)

Kevin Murphy, MSW ⋅ Elgin, SC U.S. Air Force, Senior Master Sergeant ⋅ 26 years served

Thank You Jacqueline I appreciate your candid honesty and direction. If you would like to review the template and structure please let me know. If I can be of assistance in away please do hesitate to let me know.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kevin