What makes for a not good, but "GREAT!" calibration resume?

[PMEL_DEVIL-DOG]

Hey guys, since I'm getting out the service, I had to "shoot-from-the-hip" in creating resumes. I have many different types from supervising to gpete to test cell cal and repair. I think maybe some of my resumes might be a lil too cluttered. I supposed you gotta keep'em no longer than two pages long (mine avgs. about a page and a half). Any takers on grading my reumes? I'm open to pointers.

[docbyers]

email me a copy, and I'll give you some feedback...

[Rocket]

No more than two pages is my advice. Keep it fairly brief (bullet statements) w/o alot of specific details, but covering calibration disciplines and types of equipment you have experience with. Key accomplishments look good as well, such as; took ownership and trained 6 technicians in the use and calibration of..., increased productivity/throughput by..., improved lab's measurement capability by..., decreased repair costs or calibration time by..., etc..
In evaluating resumes, I found that the shorter ones with bullets were actually read, whereas the three and four pagers with lots of wording were skimmed.
My two cents.

KL

[Freezer]

I know it goes without saying, but use SPELLCHECK!!!  I don't know how many resumes we've seen that have misspelled words.  Most get tossed immediately, poor communication skills.  Read it fifty times and ask several others to read it too.  You usually only get one shot a a prospective employer reading it, so make it perfect! Don't get labeled a "Cletus".
   I agree with Rocket, 2 pages is about the attention span of most recruiters or HR folks.  The statements he provided look great to me.

[PMEL_DEVIL-DOG]

how many copies should I have at the interview? Should they all be the same type?

[Freezer]

Are you interviewing before you send a resume? 

   I'd say you only need one.  Both copies and versions.  They'll have a copier and you should have tailored your resume to the requirements of the position you're applying for.

  I think an employer wants to feel as though this is the job you want, not one of the jobs you want, so the resume and interview should be all about how you are going to be a good fit for their operation. 

Good luck (but you won't need it)!

[docbyers]

I've generally seen 1, maybe 2 copies at an interview; print them on good paper, not the usual 8.5" x 11" reem you buy at Wal-Mart.  If you mail any resume`s, use full-size envelopes (don't fold it up), and print the resume` (all spell-checked and pretty) on colored paper, like a light blue or a cream color.  Remember, there's a stack of resume`s on HR's desk, and they're all on white paper- the color one stands out, catches their eye, and says "Read me first!"

edit: It might be a good idea to include your references on the resume`, or just put them on page 2 and include it with the resume`.  This does a couple things for you: 1) if they like your resume`, they don't have to ask you for references, and they can call them right away (they almost never call all of them, so list your best reference at the top, then the next best, and so on.  The 1st person they call better have them believing that not only do you walk on water, but Mother Theresa herself had considered giving up her nun job to marry you because you were such an honorable person!  ...and have them tell the story about the time you were calibrating a Simpson 260AFP-1 in the middle of the Iraqi desert, at night (it was 70 degrees, 45%RH), while you delivered a baby and performed first aid on the troops, then called your mother in the states to wish her a happy birthday...  2) it shows the prospective employer that this guy is not only good, he's confident, and isn't afraid of an employer checking out his story.  They know the resume` is a self-agrandizing document that tells the world how wonderful you are.  This says "Call my references, and they'll vouch for how wonderful I am."

The statements shown above were all great.  This company is hiring you to do work which will make them money, so all those phrases about increasing productivity, quality, throughput, training, safety, etc. are all good to use.  Emphasize accomplishments you achieved in previous positions, awards, training, and such...  Any supervision is good: "I trained and led 4,000 Marines that successfully executed the overthrow of President What'shisname on Fantasy Island..."

After the hiring manager reads your resume`, they should think "This guy has his ducks in a row, he's good at what he does, he's a professional, I can trust him to represent my company, and make me look good in the process for hiring him!"

[Sumaina]

new to the list...how many years experience do you have? Are you interested in moving to middle of nowhere Tyler, TX? Lots of travel involved. Slight detour from the PMEL world...though you do perform the same mundane calibration...

[PMEL_DEVIL-DOG]

new to the list...how many years experience do you have? Are you interested in moving to middle of nowhere Tyler, TX? Lots of travel involved. Slight detour from the PMEL world...though you do perform the same mundane calibration...

Yeah, I'm moving to Texas until my wife and I can get on our feet. I'll move anywhere in Tx. What do you have in mind?

[PMEL_DEVIL-DOG]

Thnaks guys for all of your input. You guys ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PMEL_DEVIL-DOG]

Yeah,I hear ya, InLikeFlynn... I don't have any ISO 9000/9001 experience, but I did take a class on it at Central Gerogia Tech College. Any ideals?