All:
Thank you so much for this website. Hard to explain but it had a strange calming effect throughout my job search.
The beauty of military life is that your career is generally progressed through the years along standard paths. Finding this isn't the case in the civilian world. It's exciting and daunting at the same time.
After lurking through a number of posts, wanted to see if anyone would be willing to review my resume and cover letter. Taking someone's advice, I've written both "military" and "business" versions (i.e., one having more in-service jargon than the other).
Would appreciate your help and feedback.
Very respectfully,
DK
Answers
It helps to have a "Skills" section in your resume. Hiring Managers have very little time to review resumes and a skills section allows you to highlight the specific experience you have in the areas in the job posting....it is important to use the "buzz" words in the job posting. Many companies use a software that scans for certain words. If it doesn't find them, you are passed over.
If you send me your resume, I will take a look. tomlinsonjk@aol.com
Judy Tomlinson
Thank you for your service. I agree with Graciela and Judy's imput. I could also share some pointers if you send information on the job you seek as well as your resume to melinda_figueroa@cargill.com. Best wishes!
Thank you for your service. I agree with Graciela and Judy's imput. I could also share some pointers if you send information on the job you seek as well as your resume to melinda_figueroa@cargill.com. Best wishes!
Daniel, you have a great background but your resume is written like a military officer. If you think about how a commercial firm will view it, use their language. Describe yourself as a project manager. Make your language skills prominent. Most important, don't just write a general resume and scatter it around; target the few companies you really want, network with people who might be connected to them or their industry, and focus your resumes for individual jobs there. Ask for informational interviews in these industries and let people help you learn the language.
Hi,
First of all, thank you for your service. I glanced at your resume. First, it has too many acronymns; all need to be spelled out and then the acronymn follows in parenthesis and then you can use the acronymn, if you were to use it a subsequent time or times. Try to avoid a lot of acronymns that a civilian wouldn't have the first clue what it means. Translate, translate, translate. Secondly, you have to translate more of your experience into civilian talk. It's hard, even for me a veteran to understand how your skills would be an assett to any company. It's very overwhelming. Most civilians will not read this. I would focus on accomplishments. For example, I came up with some ideas that saved my squadron $2 million dollars. Also, I saw a mispelled word, so please be sure to use spell check on your word processing software. Lastly, if you send me a copy of your resume, I will gladly try and help you translate some of these many wonderful accomplishments, into civilian speak for you. Or at least ask some questions that will prompt you to dig deeper.
Kind Regards,
Betsy Arroyo
betzaida.arroyo@hp.com
I agree with Graciela! That's exactly what I would have told you.
Daniel, I will review and comment but only if you also send me the job description you're applying for at this time. That way, you'll match your resume to the opportunity you seek. That's the way it works--it's a marketing and branding exercise to differentiate yourself. You can start with a "master resume" if you'd like, then tailor it to specific jobs you're applying for each time. I'm happy to help.
Graciela
You can send a your resume and I will review and comment.
Richard Buck
76warrior85@gmail.com
914 391 3375
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