I need help with my resume!!! Needs to be better!?

Question

I'll add as I go because it's longer than 1000 characters.
My dilemma- I wrote up this resume, need a job, and one of my friends bosses wants a copy of it so he can help hand it out. Up until now none of my friends have read my resume, and now that someone else is going to read it, I really really don't want it to suck. So please, any help you can give me is so greatly appreciated!! Here goes:
Kristen Schowe
5015 n Cleveland Kansas City, MO 64119
Phone: [phone]

OBJECTIVE Full time dependable job

EXPERIENCE

2/2006 - 8/2006 Beagley Lawn Care Kansas City, MO
Landscaping
General maintenance, mulch, weeds; building rock walls. Some bookkeeping with QuickBooks.

5/2005 - 2/2006 Wackenhut Overland Park, KS
Security / Receptionist
Black & Veatch Co. Security-Patrol building. Monitor surveillance TVs
Receptionist-operate six line phone system; distribute badges and direct visitors. Basic use of computer, MS Word, Excel, and the internet. Typing spd 55wpm.

Answer 1

I agree with FAQ that it is a great idea to tailor your resume to a specific job that you are applying to when possible. When it isn't, having a good general resume is next best.



I think the first rule of resume's is that they should only be one page- unless you have cured cancer and built a better mousetrap! It doesn't have to cover everything you have ever done. You want it to convey enough about you and your skills that the employer wants to interview you and that is where you can really sell yourself.



I disagree with bonacker about the dates of your employment. I think you should definately put them on the resume, otherwise the employer is going to wonder what's up. You should expect that an employer will ask why you left each job, and have an answer prepared, it happens in most interviews no matter how long you had been at a job. It's best not to dump on a previous employer too much, but it is reasonable to talk about the opportunity for new skills at a new job, or moving to a job that paid more, or explaining that there was no room for advancement at a position. It is great if you can provide the name of a refence from an employer. (Usually good to check with the reference first).



A good resume needs to be easy to read and in a format that isn't too fussy. If I were you, I wouldn't put an objective on the resume. Unless you have a really specific objective, it is just wasting space, and most employer's don't really expect it. If it is the kind of job that requires a cover letter, that is good place to put this kind of info.



If you put an email on the resume, make sure it is professional, even if you need an additional yahoo or hotmail account. Hotpants.com can turn some employers off.



I would go with a nice three heading resume:





Name

Street

City

Telephone

Email



EXPERIENCE (bold)



Beagley Lawn Care, Kansas City, MO, date

(your description is good, did you work without supervision, were you responsible for supervising anyone or directing work flow among co-workers? Don't minimize your experience by saying "some" bookeeping experience).



Wackenhut Overland Park, city, state, date

were you bonded? add job description



Firstline, city, state, date

Sounds like you were responsible for judging security risks, diffusing tense situations, managing passenger flow, and honed decision making skills under time contraints.



Amity Woods Animal Hospital, city, state, date

(Move the weekend kennel manager to the front- supervising six people is an excellent skill!)



Animal Clinic...., city, state, date

(Emphasize your lab skills, mention specific equipment- sounds like these could be transferable)



Claycomo....., city, state, date





EDUCATION (bold)



Maple Woods Community College, city, state

Fall Semester 2002



Full name of high school, city, state

Diploma, (date received)

(If you played sports or were in band or were on honor roll or in plays- I think it is fine to mention here. Sometimes people interview you b/c they have something in common with you)



SKILLS (bold)



Typing Speed 55 wpm, Multi-line phone system, Microsoft Word, Excel, Quick Books, Internet, valid driver's license (Add in specific lab/medical equipment if relevant to the job you are applying for)





Add "References available upon request" to the bottom if it is true. I would leave off your Summary of Skills section.



To me it looks like you have some really good experience- keep your skill set in mind and sell yourself- finding a job is a job in and of itself. Good Luck

Answer 2

The short duration of all your jobs makes potential employers think that there are issues with your work. I would lump your three types of work together, that is, kennel work, security work, and landscaping. Do not provide specific dates. Add a line that you will provide references upon request. Also, have a section on business skills, where you can mention your typing speed and software skills. It helps to state that you are industrious and will work hard. Employers value these traits. Good luck!

Answer 3

i think of of the appropriate call you have have been given on a resume is your guy or female call, then handle, cellular telephone and digital mail on the secondary line. i ought to attempt to circumvent the impulse for some element "magnificent," with the aid of reality in each and all of the years i've got have been given had to bypass over resumes, i've got have been given through no skill (i advise that) been inspired through using a "call." good success to you!

Answer 4

When I did my resume I searched the internet for each job that I had and used wording and grammer from other listings from jobs posted as well as other resumes found. It helped immensely.