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25 March 2008

Dear Metachat: please help with my resume?[More:]

So here's how it looks right now. Sorry for the Times New Roman, but it's the most compact and legible font I have at that size.

My background is in engineering, but I want to try applying to some product design-type jobs. How do I sell the idea that all this engineering work is an asset, and I'm capable of more than just crunching voltages, and I just kinda need a bit of training so I can also think from a designer's point of view?

I'm not trying to turn this place into career counseling central, but I really would like some objective feedback about it - most of the friends and professors I've asked just said things like "ooh, you've done lots of stuff, very good." Which is nice, but I keep thinking there's stuff I could improve, and I'm pretty sure at least a few of you have actually been on the receiving end of resumes, so...please let me know what you think?

Thanks, bunnies <3
OK, engineering is not my specific area, but I'll offer my thoughts:

laboratory research, simulation, and product and prototype design
– give some specifics.

Experience as part of project development teams
– what was your role, or give more info.

Investigated methods of improving efficiency in multi-user wireless networks simulation design
What are the results
– if you investigated, did you summarize, propose follow-up or have a final “outcome”.

Contributed structural and aesthetic input on design of client projects
– I think you could fluff this out to more closely align with your future goal.
posted by mightshould 25 March | 10:56
Oh, er, should that be "investigating" with the wireless networks? I'm still working on that stuff for the master's (haven't graduated yet).
posted by casarkos 25 March | 11:07
Why did you include that part about being a native-born citizen?

I don't think it helps the resume; a reference to national origins, citizenship and those sorts of things runs the risk of making HR types uncomfortable because it touches on issues that people file lawsuits about.

I would remove "References available upon request" because it's a bit redundant. If you're looking for work, you almost certainly do have some references lined up.
posted by jason's_planet 25 March | 12:16
The native-born part is there because I'm Asian-American and government engineering jobs (and contractors who work on government projects) frequently require you to qualify for some level of security clearance, and I didn't want to lose those opportunities simply because my name or face looks foreign - I've had recruiters tell me "sorry, we need a U.S. citizen for this" right as I walk up, and then it's embarrassed looks all around when I point out that I am.

You probably do have a point when it comes to non-government jobs though.
posted by casarkos 25 March | 17:25
Yeah, remove any personal information apart from your name and contact details - they make people nervous in case they accidentally discriminate against you.

Google "action verbs"+resume and make sure every statement you make starts with and/or includes at least one (yours are pretty good, but watch the repetition).

You have seven seconds to make the right impression - have a look at your resume and see what you get out of it in that time. Better still, ask someone who has never seen it to do so. At the moment, I would throw it out because it's simply too hard to read. If you're trying to keep within a certain number of pages, leave the font larger and work on tightening up your wording. Arial narrow is a good font for getting lots in a small space and maintaining readability.

Good luck! I'm in the middle of yet another application for promotion where I work, so I feel for you.
posted by dg 25 March | 17:25
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