Chapter 15 focuses some of the steps that you need to go to when searching for a job. It covered constructing a resume, writing an application letter, forming a portfolio, and interviewing.
When it comes to writing a resume the chapter suggested that you could use a template but then change parts of to make it original. In my own opinion I feel that creating your own “template” by changing font size, color and alignment produces a much better looking resume than anything created with a template. As the book suggests there are multitudes of websites out there with suggestions.
I found the section on writing an application letter to be very informative as I’ve never had to write one and never really knew what went into writing such a letter. I for one hate resumes. To me they just seem like exaggerated lists of how awesome you think you are. I especially hate it when I hear people say “You should do this, it’s a great resume builder.” However I feel that writing an application letter and tailoring it towards the company you are applying at seems like a much better idea. While it is easy to put a few lines of fluff into your resume it seems like it would be a lot harder to fill a whole page with fluff.
I also liked the section on making a scannable resume. While I know that companies scan resumes I had never thought about tuning my resume specifically for that purpose. I also felt that the section on interviewing, while very basic was a good starting point.
Finally my biggest complaint with this chapter was the section on the portfolio. While a portfolio would be understandable in visual or design oriented career, it seems out of place for a technological career like the one I plan on pursuing. While I could sort of see it being useful once you’ve been in an industry for awhile, just getting out of college I can’t really think of anything interesting to put in there. My research presentation from COM 315? My group lab report from CIT 276? I don’t think so. It just seems like more work and more paper for the employer to me.
Scannable resumes
I also never thought about making a scannable resume. When writing my previous resumes, I mostly wrote them thinking that one person would be reading the resume. Now I will be applying for jobs with larger companies that are receiving many more applications for a small number of openings. It is almost guaranteed that at some point, someone will be scanning my resume, whether it be a computer or some other form of "gatekeeper" audience. Creating an easily scannable resume is important for either one. Getting the resume past this first person/computer is the only way to reach the higher level personnel that has the power to give you an interview. I never thought that this was important but will definitely keep this in mind when writing all future resumes.
Nice Perspective
I really enjoyed reading your reading your article over chapter 15 because it provided a different perspective to almost all of the blog entries I have read. Most people wrote that for the majority of the reading they agreed with this book. It was nice reading a blog entry that provided valid reasons for being critical of the topics covered in the book. While I do feel that resumes are more than 'exaggerated lists", I agree that cover letters are a much more effective way of displaying your personality. This is because cover letters allow for much more creativity compared to the structured resumes.
Reply
I have to agree with you and say a portfolio really only seems useful if you are going into certain fields. The chapter really seemed to stress the importance of having a portfolio to go along with your cover letter and resume, however in my experience many of the technical and IT jobs I have applied for don't want or ask for a portfolio and many do not even want a cover letter. However I do think writing a cover letter and tailoring it for the company your applying for is a good way to make yourself stand out among applicants.
Patrick Griffin
pgriffin@purdue.edu
Reply
If you do have a portfolio, make it so you can add and remove sections before presenting it at an interview. Depending on the interviewer, some like to see that you have become prepared with valuable information rather than just showing up with just a piece of paper full of “fluff”.
I recommend before interviewing that you only have information that is important. Have it presentable in a reference to a title of a class or report rather than a course number or lab 5. Example labeled as Senior Design rather than MET 400. If you really want label both reference, e.g. Senior Design, MET 400.
Zebulon Rouse
Template
I agree with your thoughts, especially on the template. How would turning in a pre-made template set you apart, right? I heard a story once of a guy who loved snowboarding and he really want a job involved with Burton snowboards. Its very hard now a days to get a good job with Burton snowboards. What this guy did was write his Resume on a Burton snowboard with a marker and then mailed it to Burton industries. He got flown out for an interview and the employer said he just wanted to meet the man you writes his resume on a snowboard. He now works for Burton Industries. How is that for a template!
Portfolios for technical careers
First, I want to say that I think your writing is very good, you do a good job of applying the reading. I was caught off guard by your take on portfolios. In my major at Michigan State, Agricultural Communications, we are required to create a portfolio. We use it as a way to sum up what we did while we were in school. Many of the people in this major are planning to be graphic designers, so obviously it makes sense for them. However, for people like me who are interested in sales and marketing, I use it as a kind of scrapbook. You would be suprised how much you have done and what you can show off if you put it together in a binder. I have been on three job interviews since I have had a portfolio and I have not taken it with me, but it is a good reminder of what I have done and a good way to organize my old writing samples, projects and even pictures of events I have helped with in school.
Mike Sheridan
Reply
I agree with about the portfolio. It just seems to me that I wouldn’t have anything to put into a portfolio that would make an impact on a recruiter. It just doesn’t seem like there would be anything worth putting the effort into making a portfolio. In the end I don’t think “fluff” really matters at all. It seems most important when you are first trying to enter the job market. After a certain point I feel that the “fluff” you worked so hard to gain through high school and college becomes pointless.