Author Topic: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume  (Read 5196 times)

Raj

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Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« on: November 02, 2017, 04:37:27 PM »
I'm going to start applying to jobs again, so I edited my Resume again and I'd love an option on it.

I'm also updating my Resume based off the comments.  My newest resume will always be attached to the first post and last post.
« Last Edit: December 22, 2017, 04:38:52 AM by Raj »

APBioSpartan

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2017, 05:27:21 PM »
It's a great start!  Personally, I would look for a different format.  I'm not really a huge fan of it, but that could just be me :).  The bars are a bit clunky and the date ranges don't align with them.

Also, I would suggest adding either a link or a QR code to your LinkedIn page and remove the "Objective" section.  Those really aren't a thing anymore from my understanding. 

I wish you best in your career search!
« Last Edit: November 02, 2017, 05:30:47 PM by APBioSpartan »

405programmer

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2017, 06:24:40 PM »
Looks pretty good! I agree with APBio that the objective section doesn't add any real value. Definitely leave that off if you'll be submitting a cover letter as well.

The bars break up the sections but they don't look modern enough to justify the waste of ink it would take to print this. I would just center the section names. Also I didn't see a GPA listed. I know that GPA is not a perfect indicator of future performance but many recruiters will want to see that and if you don't have it listed they'll just throw it out. I only mention that because it looks like you haven't been out of Uni all that long.

Also why did you put bullet points under the Part-time security guard? Certainly your job responsibilities increased when you became full time, mention that! For your security guard descriptions it sounds like you're filtering the information to only include what you think the reader will care about. That's a fair assumption but give one actual bullet about what you did. Did you work days, nights? HOW did you help customers and coworkers? Were you the one who always knew the way around the shop? Did you prevent any break-ins or thefts? Surely something of note happened. Find a way to describe those things in just a few short sentences!

Sibley

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2017, 07:40:46 PM »
If you haven't found it yet, look at AskAManager.org

Good luck!

jwright

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2017, 08:13:34 AM »
A few minor things -

The education section lists most recent first then older.  The experience lists oldest first then most recent.  I would start with the most recent.
Play up Quickbooks experience, in the US, this is a very common software that tons of companies use.  Don't say "did" journal entries.  You either posted, composed, created, or booked them. Did you create financial statements using the info in QB? 

I agree with others that the black bars aren't a great look.

COEE

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2017, 08:51:41 AM »
Oh, I love resume's!  Here are my suggestions:
  • Always submit your resume as a pdf!  This lessens the chance of someone tampering with your resume AND increases the chances of formatting being correct when the hiring manager finally looks at it.  See the attached screenshot.  When I import this into LibreOffice "Highlights" is funny, and your bullets extend into "Education."  This comes across as "doesn't pay attention to details" - even though you very well might, and you claim to in you very first bullet point.
  • I personally like objectives, but only when it adds value.  You want to be an accountant... aren't there different types of accounting?  What type of accounting do you want to do?  Do you want to do accounting at a fortune 500 company or a startup?  Entry level or Advanced?  Be as specific as possible.  This will also help you know to which jobs you should apply!  Know thyself!
  • I agree that the format leaves a lot to be desired - make sure things are all lined up, centered, formats are the same throughout, etc.
  • Condense your work experience to one company.  Showing you went from part-time to full-time three months after you graduated doesn't add a lot of value in my mind.
  • I'd change "Highlights" to "Skills" and keep all of your bullet points short and sweet.  Detail oriented.  Advanced user of Excel.  Excellent communicator.  Developed time-management skills.  Quickbooks.  VBA?  What other SKILLS do you have?  Word?  Programming?  Something that people in your line of work desire... Keeping it short and sweet lets you get to the point.  If they have more questions, they can call you and ask for more information.  Be sure you know the things you list in this section.  If you don't and they get even a sniff of that you lose all credibility.
  • I really like the Skills, Work Experience, Education format you have - I've gone to this myself in my own resume.
  • I really like that you have volunteer experience.  I look for this in every resume I see.  It helps me know that you're well rounded and you try to give something back.  Even if you only do it for one day a year, you do value your community and have an appreciation for what it has done for you.  The fact that you're working with international students to help with an easier transition is great!
  • Finally, I would edit your resume when you post it online to not give all of your information.  Spam bots love when people do this!  They get ALL of your info for FREE!!!!  It also opens you up to identity theft.  I usually only give an email address so that I can filter any contacts I get.  Be sure to have a separate email account for your job search.  Check it regularly.

Overall, good work!  You're on your way!  Always keep refining your resume - it is your most powerful advertisement tool.  I rarely send out the same resume twice... small refinements everywhere. 

Keep track of how many jobs you hear back from.  What are your percentages?  You're in accounting - what data can you get glean from a simple phone call that lets you know your most powerful advertising tool is working?  My last job search I ended up with a 75% call-back rate after submitting my resume.  Of those 75% I was getting about 75% of those people asking for an interview, and 50% asked me for a second interview or made me an offer.  These are incredibly high numbers if you ask me - what are yours like?

Tax season is coming in the US, probably in Canada too - have you thought about working taxes for a season to get more skills?

Proud Foot

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2017, 09:42:42 AM »
Several good suggestions above. As you look at and apply for internships try to tweak your resume to show what education and experience you have that would help you excel in the internship role. As you have limited work experience, especially since it is not accounting related, spend more time and emphasis on your education and skills.

GnomeErcy

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2017, 09:42:42 AM »
I'd remove your address altogether. There's no reason to include it. You could perhaps keep the general area/metro area on there, but even then it's less important than it used to be, and I think it's assumed that if you're applying to a role in a different city, you're willing to relocate.

bognish

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2017, 12:55:20 PM »
I am a controller with 20 years of experience and have reviewed lots of entry level accounting resumes. I agree with everything above.

you don't need your street address on your resume. Listing your Toronto, ON lets me know if you are a local candidate or not.

Drop the objective unless it really adds value. I will know you are looking for an accounting internship if you have applied to a job posting for one.

How did you get quickbooks experience? Is this from a class or a job?
It looks like you completed 2 programs at Seneca? I would list the school first once and the 2 degrees next then the bullet points. GPA for each program would help if it was good-great.

Similar with the work experience. Just list IGI once with dates from Aug-2013 to present. If you were doing the same work the whole time I would not care about full time or part time, especially if its not work related to the position advertised.

Cover letter looks well written.

Good luck. If you are looking to add more skills I would suggest learning some SQL coding or excel macros. Being an accountant that does not rely on IT to create a report or who can deal with lots of data is a great differentiator.

Raj

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2017, 08:54:35 PM »
First of all I'd just like to thank everyone for their suggestions and will now address all of them, I've updated my Resume and put it as a PDF file.

It's a great start!  Personally, I would look for a different format.  I'm not really a huge fan of it, but that could just be me :).  The bars are a bit clunky and the date ranges don't align with them.

Also, I would suggest adding either a link or a QR code to your LinkedIn page and remove the "Objective" section.  Those really aren't a thing anymore from my understanding. 

I wish you best in your career search!
Several people mentioned they didn't like the look of my headings and suggested a plain version, so after some thought I switched back to a plain text centered, bolded and bigger than the surrounding text.

I've never considered adding my LinkedIn URL directly to my Resume, I assumed if any of the company's were interested they would just Google me.  Since I've added an artificial middle name it's easy to search me up.

Looks pretty good! I agree with APBio that the objective section doesn't add any real value. Definitely leave that off if you'll be submitting a cover letter as well.

The bars break up the sections but they don't look modern enough to justify the waste of ink it would take to print this. I would just center the section names. Also I didn't see a GPA listed. I know that GPA is not a perfect indicator of future performance but many recruiters will want to see that and if you don't have it listed they'll just throw it out. I only mention that because it looks like you haven't been out of Uni all that long.

Also why did you put bullet points under the Part-time security guard? Certainly your job responsibilities increased when you became full time, mention that! For your security guard descriptions it sounds like you're filtering the information to only include what you think the reader will care about. That's a fair assumption but give one actual bullet about what you did. Did you work days, nights? HOW did you help customers and coworkers? Were you the one who always knew the way around the shop? Did you prevent any break-ins or thefts? Surely something of note happened. Find a way to describe those things in just a few short sentences!
I'm afraid my GPA was nothing particular special being 3.2, if you think it wise I'll include it but seeing as it's not particularly high I don't think it's the best of ideas.

I worked nights, but I'm a construction night guard now so if anything my responsibility decreased actually.

From what the construction workers tell me, I'm unusually alert for long periods of time but I'm not sure how to list that to be honest.

If you haven't found it yet, look at AskAManager.org

Good luck!
I haven't checked it out before, but I'll make sure to do so.

A few minor things -

The education section lists most recent first then older.  The experience lists oldest first then most recent.  I would start with the most recent.
Play up Quickbooks experience, in the US, this is a very common software that tons of companies use.  Don't say "did" journal entries.  You either posted, composed, created, or booked them. Did you create financial statements using the info in QB? 

I agree with others that the black bars aren't a great look.
I've changed the order.

Changed the wording of my Quickbook experience

I am a controller with 20 years of experience and have reviewed lots of entry level accounting resumes. I agree with everything above.

you don't need your street address on your resume. Listing your Toronto, ON lets me know if you are a local candidate or not.

Drop the objective unless it really adds value. I will know you are looking for an accounting internship if you have applied to a job posting for one.

How did you get quickbooks experience? Is this from a class or a job?
It looks like you completed 2 programs at Seneca? I would list the school first once and the 2 degrees next then the bullet points. GPA for each program would help if it was good-great.

Similar with the work experience. Just list IGI once with dates from Aug-2013 to present. If you were doing the same work the whole time I would not care about full time or part time, especially if its not work related to the position advertised.

Cover letter looks well written.

Good luck. If you are looking to add more skills I would suggest learning some SQL coding or excel macros. Being an accountant that does not rely on IT to create a report or who can deal with lots of data is a great differentiator.
I got my Quickbooks experience from personal experimentation actually.  We did a project that was around 40 hours of work on Sage Simple Accounting, and one of the things my professor suggested was that we try using the experience we got from the project to try other Accounting software.  I messed around with Quickbooks and found it to be fairly similar with most of the things I learned applying to both.  I list Quickbooks because it's a lot more well known.

I'd love to learn some more skills so thank for mentioning SQL coding, as I'd love to learn some programing I'm happy to have a direct field to work on.

Freedomin5

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #10 on: November 03, 2017, 09:32:36 PM »
Quote
I'm unusually alert for long periods of time but I'm not sure how to list that to be honest.

"Vigilant, attentive and adaptive to changes in the environment."

Raj

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #11 on: November 04, 2017, 07:57:44 AM »
Quote
I'm unusually alert for long periods of time but I'm not sure how to list that to be honest.

"Vigilant, attentive and adaptive to changes in the environment."
Thank you very much, it sounds perfect and I decided to add it right away.

After a fair bit of thought, I added to the statement "on shifts up to 12 hours"

So the full statement is

"Vigilant, attentive and adaptive to changes in the environment on shifts up to 12 hours"

I'm also trying to do research on how I should show my needing Co-op on my Resume.  I haven't graduated yet as I'm still looking for my 4 months of internship experience, but I'm fully finished all my classes December 2016.

After some thought I decided I would change it to present and explain in the cover letter that I've finished all classes and just need to do my internship in order to graduate.

APBioSpartan

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #12 on: November 04, 2017, 05:02:27 PM »
I've never considered adding my LinkedIn URL directly to my Resume, I assumed if any of the company's were interested they would just Google me.  Since I've added an artificial middle name it's easy to search me up.

Yeah, I have a QR code at the top of mine that links to my LinkedIn page.  You're correct that they will just google you, but you'd be surprised how many hiring managers have commented on it saying that it's innovative and a great idea.  One of those things that sets you apart!

Kwill

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #13 on: November 04, 2017, 05:15:17 PM »
I'm also trying to do research on how I should show my needing Co-op on my Resume.  I haven't graduated yet as I'm still looking for my 4 months of internship experience, but I'm fully finished all my classes December 2016.

After some thought I decided I would change it to present and explain in the cover letter that I've finished all classes and just need to do my internship in order to graduate.

Are you sending out the resume to get internships? In that case, maybe you could add something like, "Coursework complete as of December 2016." It would be good to get that internship done so that you can move to your next step. Can your academic adviser or someone in your university's career office help with the internship assignment? They have a responsibility in this, too.

Raj

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #14 on: November 04, 2017, 05:46:23 PM »
Yeah, I have a QR code at the top of mine that links to my LinkedIn page.  You're correct that they will just google you, but you'd be surprised how many hiring managers have commented on it saying that it's innovative and a great idea.  One of those things that sets you apart!
It's a fascinating idea, and your right it will help set me apart.

I have the room for it as well.  I'll have to look up QR Code and decide the format of how I want to put it.

Are you sending out the resume to get internships? In that case, maybe you could add something like, "Coursework complete as of December 2016." It would be good to get that internship done so that you can move to your next step. Can your academic adviser or someone in your university's career office help with the internship assignment? They have a responsibility in this, too.
I am indeed trying to use my resume to help me find an internship so I'll change it to that.

As for my Academic Advisor I'm honestly not sure, I send an email on Oct 30 mentioning that I'm going to be actively looking for a job again but she hasn't responded.  I'm not sure how much help she'll be able to give as the main thing they do is give access to the Co-op job board which will have given most of the jobs late September, to early October.

She hasn't replied back yet, I'll send another email on a Weekday in the afternoon to maximize my chance of her responding and I'll try calling as well.

Raj

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #15 on: November 04, 2017, 06:00:51 PM »
I've changed Present to Course Complete as of Dec 2016.

Similarly I've added a QR Code, but I'm not sure if the format is quite right for either of them.

I messed around with it for several minutes before deciding this way looked best, but if you have alternative suggestions I'd love to hear them.

MrThatsDifferent

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #16 on: November 04, 2017, 09:26:52 PM »
Hi, I’m a boss, so I get plenty of resumes and I’m quite brutal. I’ll share my thoughts directly because you asked.
1. Always have a purpose for your resume. What job are you going for? Make the resume match the job, use language that is in the job posting. Your resume should match what is being sought. This resume has no purpose. Do you want a security job, accounting job or mentor job?
2. I’d get rid of that code thing. Don’t make anyone work to understand what you’re doing or extra steps. Create a simple LinkedIn address and include that.
3. Just put the years for the school 2013-2016, that’s all you need with the degree obtained
4. Don’t include your actual phone number when asking for advice or posting online, keep yourself secure. Do of course for the real application.
5. Tricky one here: I see you use Daniel as an option to Raj. If you feel that using Raj might hold you back (sadly, racism exists), consider using Daniel Singh and creating a gmail that reflects that.
6. I think the first part of the resume just repeats what is covered in your experience.

I’d like to give you more advice but tough without the focus of the resume, the job you’re aiming this at.

Good luck!

Raj

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #17 on: November 04, 2017, 10:42:16 PM »
Hi, I’m a boss, so I get plenty of resumes and I’m quite brutal. I’ll share my thoughts directly because you asked.
1. Always have a purpose for your resume. What job are you going for? Make the resume match the job, use language that is in the job posting. Your resume should match what is being sought. This resume has no purpose. Do you want a security job, accounting job or mentor job?
2. I’d get rid of that code thing. Don’t make anyone work to understand what you’re doing or extra steps. Create a simple LinkedIn address and include that.
3. Just put the years for the school 2013-2016, that’s all you need with the degree obtained
4. Don’t include your actual phone number when asking for advice or posting online, keep yourself secure. Do of course for the real application.
5. Tricky one here: I see you use Daniel as an option to Raj. If you feel that using Raj might hold you back (sadly, racism exists), consider using Daniel Singh and creating a gmail that reflects that.
6. I think the first part of the resume just repeats what is covered in your experience.

I’d like to give you more advice but tough without the focus of the resume, the job you’re aiming this at.

Good luck!
Thank you for your advise.

I'm going for Accounting, but Security is the only experience I currently have.  I think it still adds something due to my limited experience.

I used Course Work completed because I haven't officially graduated until I get my Co-op credit, which I need 4 months of internship to get.

I could remove my phone number but considering it's in my Linked In profile etc, I don't really think it's necessary.

As for the Linkedin I could change it to a link instead, one of the other members suggested it saying it showed tech savy.  I'll do some research since I got conflicting suggestions there.

The (Daniel) portion is solely for online searching purposes, Rajvir Singh is a very common name and could get me confused with a number of people.

Rajvir Daniel Singh on the other hand is a unique person and if you search it you get my actual facebook, linked in, google profile etc.

As for the second half repeating the first half, that's due to it elaborating on exactly how I obtained my skills although I can see it would feel repetitive.

MrThatsDifferent

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #18 on: November 04, 2017, 10:54:51 PM »
Ok, that makes sense. Here’s a format that I think works better for you: https://coverlettersandresume.com/accounts/sample-entry-level-accounting-resume/

Here’s some better language/positioning of the security role: https://www.myperfectresume.com/how-to/law-enforcement/security-guard-resume-sample/amp

Lance Hiruma

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #19 on: November 05, 2017, 06:30:47 PM »
I am not familiar about your industry but what I can tell you that is, you need to have the correct buzzwords. When I hire, by the time the resumes showed up in my inbox, they all have passed computer program analysis (yes, the robots are already here but still ANI). And I am not sure what kinda job you are looking for, maybe put some for the "target" instead of "current/past"?

LeRainDrop

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #20 on: November 05, 2017, 09:10:12 PM »
The points from MrThatsDifferent are really great, especially the first one.

"Detail-oriented" is the first word of your resume, so you better make sure your resume shows that attention to detail.  It's QuickBooks, not Quick Books.  Some of your clauses have periods at the end, and others do not.  Sometimes you use the Oxford comma, and sometimes you do not.  The phrase "in regards to" is not proper (http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/regard-versus-regards).  Why do you capitalize "International Students"?  Why do you capitalize "Pivot tables"?  Why do you capitalize "Conditional formulas"?


ditheca

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #21 on: November 06, 2017, 10:49:56 AM »
Everything is phrased passively: things you experienced, things that happened to you.

Active phasing would make you appear to be a stronger candidate. I created, I accomplished, I saved...

I'd rather see your big accomplishments than read about your daily responsibilities.

I want to see specific projects and demonstrated experience. Don't tell me that you learned QuickBooks and Excel, tell me how you used it.

Finally, (and I'm so sorry to include this!), my company has a hiring manager that would take your resume out of the pile solely because he can't pronounce your name.  You might consider eliminating Rajvir and the parenthesis, and just going by Daniel Singh.  Only HR needs to know that isn't your formal name, and they don't need to know it until after a job offer is on the table!

I'm not sure how much my advice applies to you though, because it's unclear what industry you are trying to get into.  I hire IT specialists and value problem solving and showing initiative. A larger organization or another discipline might not care as much about those qualities.

dhc

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Re: Can someone tell me what they think of my Resume
« Reply #22 on: November 06, 2017, 08:38:38 PM »
Here's what goes through my head reading your resume:
  • No accounting experience.
  • Not clear if you finished your program and got a degree or not (what the heck is "coursework complete" with a date almost a year ago?)
  • Heavy on fluff; light on substance
That's it - you're on the no pile just like that.


Google "new graduate resume" and look at some examples. What I'd rather see for someone in your position is:


-Education first, stated in a normal way (what degree, when, from what school, with what honors, awards, maybe coursework)
-Maybe some sort of skills list (but make it a list of actual skills, not sentence-long bullets)
-Short work experience section. Since it's not related, I don't really care about the duties you had, although I do care if you won awards, changed something for the better, etc. that tells me you'll be a good employee.


If you can get some personality across while doing the above, great. If you can't, better to keep it short and to-the-point than to have long awkward phrasing.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!