[vox-jobs] intent in a resume

[Michael Wenk]

On Tuesday 15 July 2003 09:39 am, Peter Jay Salzman wrote:
> hi all,
>
> i'm starting to realize that i may have a big problem.  my tenure at
> lugod has made me damned handy installing, configuring and
> administrating linux.  and it's something i REALLY enjoy doing.  alot.
>
> i also love to program.  i can easily sit in front of a computer and
> hack out C code for a 10 hour stretch and not feel like a second has
> past.  and it's something i'm good at.  i think my strength here is the
> broad knowledge of various libraries that i've learned over the years.
> much more than the _typical_ CS student graduating from college.
>
> i have experience in both fields, and can't decide which one i'd rather
> do.
>
> when looking at some people's resumes, i found myself envious, because
> their resumes clearly state their intent.  they program.  nice and
> simple.  there's no question about it.
>
> do people think it's better to have a narrow and focused resume?  or is
> the scattergun approach good too (just laying everything out on the
> resume)?   and if the scattergun approach is viable, what do i do about
> my objective?   would stating that i'm looking for admin as well as
> programming jobs sound too diversified?   what would the right approach
> be?  my true feeling is that i just want a job.  don't care if it's
> programing or admining.  i'm happy with both.

I have a general resume.  You can view the html version at 
http://praxis.homedns.org/~wenk/resume.html 

This approach is working as well as a friend of mine who has a more specific 
resume.  However, Ive had enough feedback from various people, that I'm gonna 
go with a directed resume that lists both skills and accomplishments.  I'll 
have one for each job I feel I am qualified for and have done(programmer and 
system admin.)  I sympathize with you, I have been out of work for 14 months 
now, and I really want a job.  I have for that entire 14 months.  I figure 
that on average I send out four resumes a week, so that ends up being 260 
resumes sent out.  I figure that Ive sent out for most jobs that I am even 
borderline qualified.  Of that number I have gotten probably a dozen phone 
calls back, and around 7 interviews.  Of that seven, I have gotten one offer, 
which was later recinded after I accepted(the company in question laid off 
around 15% of its workforce a day after they recinded.)    


> i just got terrible news.  i've sent out 8 resumes about 2 weeks ago.
> got 1 call back for a "quant" position.  made it through an interview,
> then a proficiency test in C/C++, then a 2nd interview.  it was a very
> high paying job and things looked very hopeful.  yesterday i was told
> that they don't have a position for my skill set.
>
> does anybody know what "we don't have a position for your skill set"
> mean in plain english?  is that a code phrase for "you suck" or
> something?

It means either they found someone they liked better(possibly better 
qualified, or possibly willing to take a lower amount of money) or its 
possible the company was just testing the market.  I've seen this happen, get 
through the interview process with a bunch of hope only to be told that the 
position the company had was never really there, they just did the 
interviewing in the hopes it would be approved by TPTB, and it was not.  Its 
always a good idea to ask for specifics as to why you were not selected.  
They do not have to answer, and sometimes the answer is BS, but sometimes 
they do give good feedback.  You also have little to lose by asking(They're 
not employing you now are they?  Even if they may in the future, its a good 
idea to get their preferences, right?) 

> so now i'm trying to hone my resume a bit more.

Resume honing is a good idea, reading up on interviews is another good idea, 
getting out to meet people in your specific field(and more importantly people 
in companies you want to work for) is also a good idea.  

> this is utterly disheartening.  i'm beginning to understand why everyone
> seems cynical about job hunting now...   :(

Well, the job market is terrible.  

NY city(which is close to NJ, no idea if its close to where you will be) has 
been pretty active when Ive looked nationally(2-3 times a month.)  However, 
if you want a job, its extremely likely that you'll have to settle.  I would 
suggest looking at all programming positions that are within any methodology 
you're familiar with.  It will definitely increase your possibilities.  In 
other words, look for programming jobs in all Unixes, not just Linux, and 
probably add windows programming jobs in there.  You may not enjoy windows, 
but hey, work is work.  

Mike

-- 
wenk@praxis.homedns.org
Mike Wenk