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What is the best way to format my resume?

Veteran

Christopher Welcher Union City, CA

What do you suggest I include from my military experience?

30 September 2018 16 replies Military to Civilian Transition

Answers

Advisor

Stefan Beyer Kirkland, WA

What I have is a "Master Resume", which contains all of my experience and jobs on it, and when I apply for a position I created a version of it that's tailored to be relevant to the position I'm applying to.

For general format suggestions, I wrote an article with suggestions on how I setup resumes (https://acp-advisornet.org/articles/326/resume-cover-letter-multi-talented-individual).

I can review yours if you like, as well.

6 November 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

xxxx xxxx San Antonio, TX

Christopher,
It is best to tailor the resume for the job you are applying for. Parts of the resume would be standard for you.
I would be honored to review and comment on your resume

Richard Buck
richard.buck@ey.com
linkedin.com/in/richbuck

3 November 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Paul Trejo Austin, TX

Thank you, Christopher, for your years of service in the US Military.

My opinion about a resumé is that we must create a Form Template. Modify the Form for every job application -- rewriting the details to match the job at hand.

Eliminate all Non-Job specific text. We can talk about your hobbies elsewhere. A job resumé is really an extension of a Job Application.

The target company's Job Position Opening text will include very specific vocabulary terms. We must be alert to these, and include this EXACT vocabulary in our resumé. That is why a Form Template is always best.

Another rule of thumb -- fit it all onto ONE SINGLE PAGE. At the very, very most, use the front and back of ONE SINGLE PAGE. This plays to our advantage, showing our communication skills.

Other rules of thumb: Keep the "Education section" down to two or three lines. Include Certification there. Include a BRIEF chronology of work history. If it has nothing to do with the technology in this Job Application, just include the company name and dates and move on.

EMPHASIZE the specific technology in the Job Position Opening text. Show the MATCH with your own experience. That's the trick to the resumé, in my reading.

Best wishes,
--Paul

25 October 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Steven Mathews Spring, TX

I have a free process for transforming a garden-variety resume into a Top 1% Resume. People who diligently apply the process historically have a job within 2-4 weeks. slmathews99@gmail.com

Advisor

Joe Pierce Jonesboro, AR

I prefer a chronological format with relevant experience education and keep it short.

Start with name address etc in the center top

nest is title /rank job with timeline

next under that is a brief number of bullets describing the responsibilities and accomplishments

After experience is education followed by and special courses awards and the offer to provide references

Hope this helps It is kind of old school

Veteran

Philip Lantz Kansas City, MO

Christopher,

There are a lot of offers to help. I am available as well; but here are some thoughts for before you get to the "review stage".

1. Generally I suggest using a functional resume. In your case, just as Jerry stated, a Chronological Resume may be better with your level of experience. Take a look at both, see what works for you and have it reviewed, by multiple people.

2. The resume is great but wont work (usually) without networking. If you have any intel experience...run your networking like a source network. (contact me for in depth on this )

3. If you don't have all the hard skill sell the soft ones more. IE ability to learn new skills rapidly, ability to not only Manage BUT Lead (if this applies to you); ability to mentor; etc.

4. Translate the verbiage. I am still working on doing this too. Think of it like an NCOER for a DA Selection Board. Most of the time CSM's on the board (depending on the career field) will come from multiple branches or at least MOS's. This means they will not understand MOS specific terminology. In the case of a resume; pretend there are people from a different service altogether or who are illiterate in "military speak".

5. Ensure the resume is free of spelling and grammatical errors. They occur in posts and sometimes in emails. Resumes should be flawless.

6. When (and most of the time you shouldn't list this way. Cite the accomplishment not the award) you cite military awards make sure its accurate. I have received resumes citing an AAM for combat. (AAM's are not awarded for combat) This makes me question EVERYTHING on the resume.

7. Don't exaggerate; but don't sell yourself short.

I am always available. I only made the transition earlier this year. I had a head start as my MOS deals with industry routinely.

Respectfully,

Philip Lantz
MSG (R), USA
Acting Deputy Director of Global Security
Black and Veatch

Advisor

Stefan Beyer Kirkland, WA

I wrote an article a while back about highlighting how a diverse skill set will make you a good candidate for a position: https://acp-advisornet.org/articles/326/resume-cover-letter-multi-talented-individual

If you still need someone to review your resume, let me know.

Advisor

Jerry Paul Spring, TX

Christopher, as other suggested, it is best to tailor the resume for the job you are applying for. If you are looking for a job in the technology industry (electronics, computers, etc.), then I can help review/format the resume.

Advisor

Henry ("Dr. Hank") Stevens Fort Lauderdale, FL

VERY short story . . . . get the book, WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE" by Boles. Make it your new bible as in addition to offering sound advice about resumes, it covers many other topics such as interviewing and job sourcing.

Advisor

Lex Levin Northborough, MA

Christopher,

My specialty is Federal resumes and I work mostly with Veterans transitioning to Federal civilian jobs. If you are interested in a GS job, please get in touch and I'll be happy to review your resume and offer some advice.

One more thing: a lot of people will shout at you on here about not paying for transition assistance. If you are thinking about going Federal, take that particular advice with a grain of salt. There are no organizations preparing Federal resumes for free for veterans, as far as I know. Hire Heroes does an OK job with private sector resumes (they use templates so all their resumes tend to look and sound alike) but they don't write Federal resumes and are not experts in that. Sometimes, paying for professional assistance is warranted as an investment in yourself, so don't let people pressure you into rejecting that option at the start of your search.

Best,

LL

Advisor

James Bond San Diego, CA

I agree with Jose and not so much Terri and Jerry. I volunteer with a few organizations and all too often they are attempting to support junior enlisted, senior enlisted, and officers. Unfortunately this at times lends to either one group being supported really well or all being supported in a subpar fashion. Not to mention your time is valuable as are those who you are seeking help from. So while yes I volunteer my time often I also know how to limit those I work with and protect my personal, work, and family time. I have opened three veteran support centers at different colleges and universities, and worked on the board of three non-profits helping with transition.

My suggestions are:
take a personality sorter and ensure you take a look at possibilities outside of what you did in the military http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

Once you have a few possibilities find some openings and get the job descriptions

Pull a few resume templates and fill in what you can

Seek mentors here or Linkedin who are in those roles to help you improve your resume and talk about what those roles are really like

Advisor

Jose Roman Norfolk, VA

Plainly, your resume should include everything that is relevant to the job description.

I'm the Veterans Employment Coordinator at the Military Resource Center. Let me know if you need help with this and you want to talk about developing a strategy. This is my bread and butter and it is free. jroman@regent.edu

Best,
Jose

Advisor

Teri Graves Littleton, CO

I completely agree with Jerry Welsh's response...an ACP mentor is a terrific idea!!! I hope you will take advantage of that.

Advisor

Jerry Welsh Middleville, MI

Christopher, with 6 years experience focus on a chronological that targets the job opening. So build a Master Resume that may hold many different accomplishments in a wide variety of areas, but you can, as Matt suggested, re-work into meeting the company's need.
DO NOT PAY FOR TRANSITION ASSISTANCE! Far to many great organizations offer this free and provide top notch advice. Hire Heroes USA.ORG is a great resume assistance organization, provides you a coach at no charge. Also pick up a mentor via ACP! Thanks for your service and God Bless.

Advisor

matt pe Chicago, IL

Christopher, thanks for your service.

Suggest you include all history, but bring to the top a summary of relevant experience to the field you are applying for. You can also include descriptive comments such as "honed project planning skills through my logistics assignments" or something like that

Lots of good samples on the internet as well as the other responses who may be able to give you expertise.

Good luck

Advisor

Taube Weiner Dedham, MA

Hello Christopher. Thank you for your service. In appreciation of the service men and woman I work with military folks at no charge. I am a career coach and have helped many military find what they want in the private sector.

I would like to help you and in order to do that I'd like you to go onto my website and read about me. Fill out the form and I will call you to discuss your needs and go from there.

Best,
Taube
TransitionsbyTaube.com
TraditionsbyTaube@gmail.com

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