How do I change the experience on my resume without it looking weak?
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
Yes, I would consider the use of the words "extensive experience" in this case to be misleading. Perhaps you could replace it with something like "sound experience".
Quad skating his way through the world since the early 80's... Booger Mobile - My bright green 1964 Ford Falcon - check out the blog here!! | If you feel generous - make a donation to Camp Quality!!
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
This is also not the best time to look for work! It's coming around next year feb to may! ;)
My programming get away... The Blog... DirectX for WinRT/C# since 2013! Taking over the world since 1371!
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Yes, I would consider the use of the words "extensive experience" in this case to be misleading. Perhaps you could replace it with something like "sound experience".
Quad skating his way through the world since the early 80's... Booger Mobile - My bright green 1964 Ford Falcon - check out the blog here!! | If you feel generous - make a donation to Camp Quality!!
yeah I agree. I've been at this game nearly 20 years and the words "extensive experience" are used by *spit* recruitment agents *spit* and appear nowhere in my CV. When I have been involved in hiring and I have seen CV's with such statements - my eyebrows tend to rise, and I then cross check with general IT experience. But that might just be a cultural thing also. Or maybe I'm cynical. Bryce
MCAD ---
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This is also not the best time to look for work! It's coming around next year feb to may! ;)
My programming get away... The Blog... DirectX for WinRT/C# since 2013! Taking over the world since 1371!
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
First, are you using your resume as bait (for head hunters to call you) or as a key to get you into a specific interview. If the former, then pepper your CV with the terms that you will get your resume appearing on resume searches that best suit you. Ditch the adjectives and list the stuff you know. For the latter, craft your resume specifically to the job your after and ditch the extensive. If I'm hiring I always do a phonecall first and within 2 mins I know the level of experience. I smell a liar and the phone's back on the hook. So: look for jobs that are specifically OK with your level of experience. Then there's no reason to be shy. Second, build up that experience. Experience does not have to be paid experience, it simply means how long you've been practicing, honing and using your skills. I'd employ someone who's spent a year learning and playing with node.js in their spare time and has then posted 2 CodeProject articles on the topic just as much (if not more) than someone who's been doing it as part of their job for 2 years. Number 1 thing employers in Tech want is someone with a brain, someone who can learn new things quickly, someone who wants to get the job done and leaves the ego at the door, and someone who has the basics of software development (eg OOP, SOLID principles) down pat. Everything else is just details.
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First, are you using your resume as bait (for head hunters to call you) or as a key to get you into a specific interview. If the former, then pepper your CV with the terms that you will get your resume appearing on resume searches that best suit you. Ditch the adjectives and list the stuff you know. For the latter, craft your resume specifically to the job your after and ditch the extensive. If I'm hiring I always do a phonecall first and within 2 mins I know the level of experience. I smell a liar and the phone's back on the hook. So: look for jobs that are specifically OK with your level of experience. Then there's no reason to be shy. Second, build up that experience. Experience does not have to be paid experience, it simply means how long you've been practicing, honing and using your skills. I'd employ someone who's spent a year learning and playing with node.js in their spare time and has then posted 2 CodeProject articles on the topic just as much (if not more) than someone who's been doing it as part of their job for 2 years. Number 1 thing employers in Tech want is someone with a brain, someone who can learn new things quickly, someone who wants to get the job done and leaves the ego at the door, and someone who has the basics of software development (eg OOP, SOLID principles) down pat. Everything else is just details.
Chris Maunder wrote:
Number 1 thing employers in Tech want is someone with a brain, someone who can learn new things quickly, someone who wants to get the job done and leaves the ego at the door, and someone who has the basics of software development (eg OOP, SOLID principles) down pat. Everything else is just details.
Unless of course its a non technical person doing the hiring. Then they need boxes ticked to cover their own arses. I.e. Christan Grass himself wouldn't get a job coding .net in a Government Dept if he didn't tick all their HR boxes. (you know what I mean) - so (as Chris -one pint- Maunder says) tailor the CV/application to the institution/company. Bryce
MCAD ---
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
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First, are you using your resume as bait (for head hunters to call you) or as a key to get you into a specific interview. If the former, then pepper your CV with the terms that you will get your resume appearing on resume searches that best suit you. Ditch the adjectives and list the stuff you know. For the latter, craft your resume specifically to the job your after and ditch the extensive. If I'm hiring I always do a phonecall first and within 2 mins I know the level of experience. I smell a liar and the phone's back on the hook. So: look for jobs that are specifically OK with your level of experience. Then there's no reason to be shy. Second, build up that experience. Experience does not have to be paid experience, it simply means how long you've been practicing, honing and using your skills. I'd employ someone who's spent a year learning and playing with node.js in their spare time and has then posted 2 CodeProject articles on the topic just as much (if not more) than someone who's been doing it as part of their job for 2 years. Number 1 thing employers in Tech want is someone with a brain, someone who can learn new things quickly, someone who wants to get the job done and leaves the ego at the door, and someone who has the basics of software development (eg OOP, SOLID principles) down pat. Everything else is just details.
Wow. Thank all of you guys for your quick replies. It means a lot. 1.) I have my resume out on Monster and my state's Talent Bank, but am not aiming for recruiters/staffing agents (though they've been calling me about it from Monster). I don't know anything about them, and I want a direct hire (no contract work) in the first place. So, I haven't been paying them the most attention. Should I start using them? So far, I've been applying to postings that match my experience, and that hasn't gotten me too far. 2.) Whenever I find a position that matches my experience, I typically keep the same resume, but craft a cover letter where I try to match all of their listed requirements with my qualifications. Should I be morphing the resume as well? As of now, I only change the resume if the posting says they don't want Cover Letters. 3.) Does work really heat up in Feb-May? My unemployment isn't going to last past December. I've got money to last for about 2 months after that (barring no disasters). Crap. 4.) As I mentioned before, I plan on making a portfolio I can show off to prospective employers once I'm done learning what I can about C#. However, I don't know what project I can do or how to set up a site on a webhost (told you I'm rusty). I can probably scrounge around on sourceforge for projects to help with or code to inspire me, but do any of you know of a good, cheap web host I can use for a site that won't see very much traffic?
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
Wow. Thank all of you guys for your quick replies. It means a lot. I can't relocate right now; don't have the money, and I might have to rely on my emergency stash to survive past December. 1.) I have my resume out on Monster and my state's Talent Bank, but am not aiming for recruiters/staffing agents (though they've been calling me about it from Monster). I don't know anything about them, and I want a direct hire (no contract work) in the first place. So, I haven't been paying them the most attention. Should I start using them? So far, I've been applying to postings that match my experience, and that hasn't gotten me too far. 2.) Whenever I find a position that matches my experience, I typically keep the same resume, but craft a cover letter where I try to match all of their listed requirements with my qualifications. Should I be morphing the resume as well? As of now, I only change the resume if the posting says they don't want Cover Letters. 3.) Does work really heat up in Feb-May? My unemployment isn't going to last past December. I've got money to last for about 2 months after that (barring no disasters). Crap. 4.) As I mentioned before, I plan on making a portfolio I can show off to prospective employers once I'm done learning what I can about C#. However, I don't know what project I can do or how to set up a site on a webhost (told you I'm rusty). I can probably scrounge around on sourceforge for projects to help with or code to inspire me, but do any of you know of a good, cheap web host I can use for a site that won't see very much traffic?
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Chris Maunder wrote:
Number 1 thing employers in Tech want is someone with a brain, someone who can learn new things quickly, someone who wants to get the job done and leaves the ego at the door, and someone who has the basics of software development (eg OOP, SOLID principles) down pat. Everything else is just details.
Unless of course its a non technical person doing the hiring. Then they need boxes ticked to cover their own arses. I.e. Christan Grass himself wouldn't get a job coding .net in a Government Dept if he didn't tick all their HR boxes. (you know what I mean) - so (as Chris -one pint- Maunder says) tailor the CV/application to the institution/company. Bryce
MCAD ---
I read that as "Le Christian Graus" so I think I'm just going to call him Le Graus from now on. Yeah: him and HR in any place that favours paperwork over results. Not pretty. And it was an extra large pint, that one. I swear.
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I read that as "Le Christian Graus" so I think I'm just going to call him Le Graus from now on. Yeah: him and HR in any place that favours paperwork over results. Not pretty. And it was an extra large pint, that one. I swear.
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
More often than not, companies don't necessarily care that you know a particular language, they are more interested in what you did with it. For example, "Used <language> to integrate accounts payable with the distribution center inventory, resulting in a 15% reduction in time spent gathering parts."
"One man's wage rise is another man's price increase." - Harold Wilson
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
"extensive experience" already looks weak.
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"extensive experience" already looks weak.
Do you think it be something concrete, like "Over 2 years academic and personal experience writing small programs in C++, Visual Basic and [all the other languages I've encountered], with over 50 programs written."
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It was a schmiddy, and light beer at that.
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
It helps to have a solid article (with your code) on CodeProject, showcasing your original work. When I was looking out to for a change, I quoted a couple of my CodeProject articles on my resume; my current employer looked at that code, and I believe, was convinced enough. Of course, you need to work on an original problem, making sure that none of the work done for your past employers is getting posted. Also, I feel that employers look for problem solving capabilities using a language, rather than expertise in that language itself (unless it is a compiler company you're applying for).
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It was a schmiddy, and light beer at that.
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
'Qualified and trained in C++, Visual Basic and SQL.' 'Commercial experience in FoxPro and .Net' Currently gaining experience in........ ? You should be working on home projects for the last one. The world is your oyster. Just supplying a piece of paper and saying 'yes please' will not get you employment.
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Hello, all. I'm new here, and have a resume question. I warn you, this will be long. I've been on the job hunt since being laid off in August. However, a new fear has cropped up that has me truly shaken. I feel I am exaggerating my experience on my resume. I've heard this is the type of stuff that can get you blacklisted from a company. I want to change it. It's one section; the skills section at the top. In it, I say that I have extensive experience with C++, Visual Basic, and SQL. I also say that I have experience integrating database interaction into VB applications. Everything else in the resume is standard. The truth is that my experience with those is mostly from Community College and University. I listed those as "extensive" because of all the languages I ran across in CC and Uni, those are the ones I handled the most. I did integrate DBs into VB apps, but that was in a class (and a volunteer spot, using VBA). Since graduating with my Bachelor's Degree (Computer Information Systems) 2 years ago, I haven't coded much at all on my own time. Since then, I had a job for almost a year and a half, but they had me mostly doing stuff in FoxPro. I might have done .Net work there once or twice. Since my layoff, I've been looking for work, but have recently shifted to learning C# in order to perhaps build a project I can show to the world in a portfolio. I'm not nearly at that level yet though. I've also realized I'm not at the level with C++/VB where "extensive experience" is justified to say. Not with my level of rust. So, for now, I'm trying to change what that skills section says. But how can I address a lack of experience without seeming weak?
Instead of "extensive", you may use "experienced/skillfull in" something. In my opinion, the experience gained from course work is considered to be good experience as long as you are confident for what you learned. Certainly it might not be the real business world solution you coded. But the technology involved and skills required are all applicable to the real world.
TOMZ_KV