Is it just the market or is it my resume?/ Resume Critique

[rharor]

I have been in search for the right job for a few months now but have only had 2 per-screens and nothing more.

I am currently employed but looking for something new and have been applying to "Project Coordinator" type roles. Based on my experience do you think that I should be applying to other roles(Based on experience, not titles)? I like the project management path in terms of a career if that helps.

Please have a look at my resume here(removed) and let me know if maybe it's just my resume.

Please and thank you

Work in progress (changed titles to suit tasks): Here(removed)

[konfusion666]

Look up "SOAR" and "PAR".

Your resume needs to be more Accomplishment focussed.

The first point (at least) under each of your previous positions should be a significant accomplishment which generates a feeling of "wow" or "cool" in the reader. Right now, it reads as "meh" to me (i just did a 15 second lookover, which is what many recruiters/agencies will do).

Also, for some reason your second-last job seems to come across as more impressive than your current job. (probably because your second-last job has at least one PAR statement; your current job description has none)

[whitebear]

Looks clumsy and unprofessional

Think this way. Under your "SKILLS" section, why you need to start every point with words like "Ability to" that is redundant. "SKILLS" already means "you are able to". Also don't repeat words "Ability", "Manage". Better use once only. Why you use "General Software Skills"? Again, why not just write "Software: MS Office, Outlook..." By the way, MS office already includes Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Ask yourself how you can be precise and professional. For example, your first point of experience "develop strategic..." Why not just write "Implement marketing strategies and develop sales network"? Precise and straightforward. Don't have to write little things like "with associations, accreditation bodies, relevant corporations, overall goal"..that's too much and unprofessional, you are not writing an essay in your junior high.

just my thoughts

[komal]

Personally, I'd say put your education first. But don't put the 'counting hours towards', that just looks bad. Find a better way to describe your current status in pursuit of the PMP designation. Say when you started pursuing it, when you expect to be finished. At the very least, remove the 'counting hours towards' and instead say 'Currently working towrds achieving PMP designation' + the date you started.

Then experience. Then skills. Then social/other activities. You might also fold some of your skills into your job roles and show how you developed or what you did that was special or impressive.

[rapashoo]

I agree with above poster. I would put education - experience - skills - activity in sequence.

[sjones]

Actually I've had people tell me put skills first and then work experience second, just as the OP has it. Basically it helps to identify if the individual is a good candidate for the position or not at a glance.

First thing I noticed is that the resume is wordy. I think you should be to the point and make every word count. For eg. "General software skills: M.S. Office/PowerPoint/Outlook 2003-2010", write instead "Proficient in MS Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word), Outlook". Also revise third line to read something like "Project management role in piloting SharePoint". Most reviewers want to pick out key words so use them and also tidy up the word length to reduce unnecessary wordage.

Best of luck.

[komal]

I put skills before experience as well, but the OP doesn't have too much to put into the skills section. It should be expanded and re-written but there are so many issues I didn't feel like going through and re-writing it.

[waterloser]

dude, unless you are applying for VP+ position, nobody will read a 2 page resume! I automatically ding 2 pagers.

3 bullet points MAX per experience. Make sure you state your task/responsibility and then the achieved result. For example:
+ Effectively managed a team of 10, reduced budget by 10%

Don't list skills like "time oriented" or whatever, SHOW them in your experience. for example:
+ Effectively managed a team of 10 consultant, billed 50 hours per week per consultant on average

[lpsaad]

dude, unless you are applying for vp+ position, nobody will read a 2 page resume! I automatically ding 2 pagers.

3 bullet points max per experience. Make sure you state your task/responsibility and then the achieved result. For example:
+ effectively managed a team of 10, reduced budget by 10%

don't list skills like "time oriented" or whatever, show them in your experience. For example:
+ effectively managed a team of 10 consultant, billed 50 hours per week per consultant on average

this!!

[rharor]

Thanks everyone for you suggestions. I'll be making changes to my resume tonight with considerations from everyone's input.

[CatDog]

OP, I would build skills into your work experience. I'd delete the references available upon request as well.

You'll be at 1 page then. Play with the margins if you need more space.

[dealerschmealer]

too functional .... talk more about what you can do/contributed rather than what was achieved

[weedb0y]

Experience should be first, education second. No one cares for education if you have the experience.

[tcharged]

Experience should be first, education second. No one cares for education if you have the experience.

perfect and true.