Would you hire me based on this CV?

[gauchogolfer]

Hi everybody, and thanks in advance for feedback.
I'm putting together a resume for job hunting that will start in a few months, and thought I'd get some feedback from the MR technical folks on my resume.

It's been a few years since I've put one together, and quite a lot has changed, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to put it together. It's attached as a pdf, so let me know if you have any feedback.

Cheers, and thanks again.

 

[mpw]

Right now I have the same feeling I imagine I'd have if Lassie was trying to tell me the little boy was stuck down the well.

I read the first two paragraphs or so, and I know you were trying to tell me summit, but it just didn't make sense.

Don't worry I'm not having a pop at you or your CV, both of which I'm sure a very nice, I'm just feeling a bit stoopid. I keep meeting people who seem to have brains the size of planets lately and am feeling a little out of my depth.

Thought about changing my job recently and now realise I'd better not as my CV screams 'idiot' compared to that. I think not having used my brain in all these years has sent it into atrophy. I used to be considered kinda bright.

 

[gauchogolfer]

Right now I have the same feeling I imagine I'd have if Lassie was trying to tell me the little boy was stuck down the well.

I read the first two paragraphs or so, and I know you were trying to tell me summit, but it just didn't make sense.

Don't worry I'm not having a pop at you or your CV, both of which I'm sure a very nice, I'm just feeling a bit stoopid. I keep meeting people who seem to have brains the size of planets lately and am feeling a little out of my depth.

I realize that asking people for feedback here might be a bit difficult, since most people aren't used to looking at resumes that are 3 pages long . It's a side effect of getting too much education

Having said that, I guess what I'd like is feedback on the layout, clarity, readability (if that's even a word), etc., more than the technical content. If there are technical folks here who'd like to comment on that aspect of it, that would of course be great.

 

[caveman_uk]

Hi everybody, and thanks in advance for feedback.
I'm putting together a resume for job hunting that will start in a few months, and thought I'd get some feedback from the MR technical folks on my resume.

Since this is a CV for a job can I suggest you actually say something about yourself - all you've said so far is that you're highly skilled and have know a lot about your chosen area. You haven't said anything about what you think your strengths are, what sets you apart from other highly skilled applicants. Do you have any project or people management skills. Throw in lots of good words like 'focussed' or 'team worker' and such like (only if they are remotely true though).

Remember, people in HR get hundreds of CVs every day. You need to stand out. HR people generally aren't experts in your field and won't know what the stuff on your CV means. You need to sell yourself.

 

[gauchogolfer]

Remember, people in HR get hundreds of CVs every day. You need to stand out. HR people generally aren't experts in your field and won't know what the stuff on your CV means. You need to sell yourself.

Thanks for the reminder, caveman. I think that most of the places I send this to will be pretty focused, i.e. there is probably an advertised opening in this area; I don't think I'll be competing with hundreds of people for this type of job. But, it's always good to put the best possible CV into someone's hands, so thanks for the feedback.

 

[satty]

Most important, what's the job you're looking for?

Your CV has to match with the position you want to apply for.

For example: If you're looking to get a position in a restaurant, people would have a good laugh at your CV I would assume
Even in IT consulting I would have major doubts someone would consider you with your - I have to admit very, very impressive - CV.

I write for each new position a new CV and try to think of what that specific company is really looking for.

 

[gauchogolfer]

Most important, what's the job you're looking for?

Your CV has to match with the position you want to apply for.

For example: If you're looking to get a position in a restaurant, people would have a good laugh at your CV I would assume
Even in IT consulting I would have major doubts someone would consider you with your - I have to admit very, very impressive - CV.

I write for each new position a new CV and try to think of what that specific company is really looking for.

Thanks for responding, and that's a fair question that I didn't provide any context for. I'm a researcher in semiconductors, mainly in the materials growth/characterization side of things. The specific growth technique is pretty focused, and is used by all of the potential employers that I'm assessing. Maybe my thread title was misleading, since I'm not looking for a job here from a MR-user (although if there is an R&D head from PARC skimming through, please contact me).

I do plan on tailoring the 'objective' section of my CV to the individual company/organization, although that's not apparent from what I've posted here so far. Thanks for the reminder about focusing on what the company is looking for/needs. rather than only on my qualifications.

Cheers

 

[Queso]

Actually that sounds like you're just the man I'm looking for. I want to work in London but live in Barcelona and need some from of teleportation device to cut down the commute. It has to be ideally handheld, but prototypes can be as big as a suitcase if you like. And no Heisenberg Uncertainty accidents please. I like my limbs etc. where they are now.

If you can do it by Friday, you're hired. What do you say?

 

[mpw]

....What do you say?

If you had one of those why work? I'd just teleport in/out of bank vaults for cash. (and women's locker rooms for kicks)

 

[Queso]

If you had one of those why work? I'd just teleport in/out of bank vaults for cash. (and women's locker rooms for kicks)

Well, I was going to be generous and let everyone have them. But I see your point except for the WOmen's locker rooms of course

 

[gauchogolfer]

Well, I was going to be generous and let everyone have them. But I see your point except for the WOmen's locker rooms of course

Well, I suppose I shouldn't be generous either and just do this as a job-for-hire. Once I've built my prototype, I'll try it out on a few banks and let you know how it goes.

You'll be able to tell by watching my sig. See if it changes to -> QuadG5 w/30" display + Ferrari Maranello

 

[Queso]

Well, I suppose I shouldn't be generous either and just do this as a job-for-hire.

Damn!! I was hoping you were one of those no-common-sense academics like in Bond films and stuff. Now I'm going to have to hold your cat ransom or something

I blame mpw for giving the game away.

 

[mpw]

I get the blame for everything

....Now I'm going to have to hold your cat ransom or something...

Awww nice p*ssy.

 

[balamw]

gauchogolfer, I'd consider you for a position and I actually do understand all the technical gobbledigook. The most important thing is you have a decent pedigree. (I know the folks you've worked w/ at UCSB).

However I'd suggest cleaning up the formatting of the CV into easier to swallow chunks. e.g. make sure your experience and education fit on one or two pages and your publication list starts on a new page so you can chose to include it or not. I wouldn't call out the distinctions between your papers as it is clear to anyone reading this far which ones you are first author on, etc... (You could summarize your publication list on the main CV someting like this: author of XXX peer reviewed journal papers and YYY conference papers.) You will tend to omit the full publication list and provide only a summary as it gets longer and longer.... (Mine is 4 pages long now).

Personally, I'd emphasize the where instead of the when for the experience and education sections. Try putting the institution first and the date last.

Another thing missing is the usual "References" section, which can be a crib sheet of "who do you know, so why should I consider you for this job". I had a hard time figuring out who your thesis advisor was, and you don't provide any info as to who you worked with at CNRS.

EDIT: and if you're trying to get a job in the US, you might wish to state your US citizenship or imiigration status as it may be required for working in your field , where some research may be government funded and may be subject to ITAR or other restrictions...

B

 

[UKnjb]

Back on the serious side of the thread .....
What a CV! Except that it seems to me that there are some additional points you might put in to round it off:

As far as layout goes, my own (or UK/bio-med) preferences are for a tabular layout, with the dates (most recent descending) in the left (narrow) column and details in the right (wide column). Host institute in bold as the first line, head of department 2nd line and what you did following after on successive lines.

At your level of expertise, do you think that it might be appropriate to fill in, as sub-sections, the practical approaches (specialised methodologies etc) with which you have fluency for each of your various doctoral/post-doc positions? My own CV is also very technical, but on the bio-med side, and I detail the various techniques with which I am fluent or have at least a broad understanding. Maybe within your own field, it is immediately recognised what those areas are, but if not, I would lay them out. It gives a fuller picture.

Again, at your level, and in these days, can you manage to legitimately fit in some managerial and teaching experience, with details?

My own 0.02 worth. And I shall keep a look-out for you in New Scientist and Nature!

 

[63dot]

Hi everybody, and thanks in advance for feedback.
I'm putting together a resume for job hunting that will start in a few months, and thought I'd get some feedback from the MR technical folks on my resume.

It's been a few years since I've put one together, and quite a lot has changed, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to put it together. It's attached as a pdf, so let me know if you have any feedback.

Cheers, and thanks again.

it looks pretty good, but i would try and condense it down to the most important points and make it two pages

experienced ceo/EDs/board presidents of multimillion dollar organizations have 2 page resumes and most resume help books will point that out with very excellent examples

 

[balamw]

Again, at your level, and in these days, can you manage to legitimately fit in some managerial and teaching experience, with details?

This is a great point. As a Ph.D., the unfortunate truth is that you will have to add management to your roster of skills sooner rather than later. Even if you stay in academe you'll have students of your own to supervise, and in industry you'll soon be doing little else than supervising others. You probably did some of this in either of your post-docs...

experience ceo/EDs of multimillion dollar companies have 2 page resumes

There is a difference between a CV and a resume, and at this stage of the game, a full, long CV is more appropriate for him.

B

 

[gauchogolfer]

However I'd suggest cleaning up the formatting of the CV into easier to swallow chunks. e.g. make sure your experience and education fit on one or two pages and your publication list starts on a new page so you can chose to include it or not. I wouldn't call out the distinctions between your papers as it is clear to anyone reading this far which ones you are first author on, etc... (You could summarize your publication list on the main CV someting like this: author of XXX peer reviewed journal papers and YYY conference papers.) You will tend to omit the full publication list and provide only a summary as it gets longer and longer.... (Mine is 4 pages long now).

Personally, I'd emphasize the where instead of the when for the experience and education sections. Try putting the institution first and the date last.

Another thing missing is the usual "References" section, which can be a crib sheet of "who do you know, so why should I consider you for this job". I had a hard time figuring out who your thesis advisor was, and you don't provide any info as to who you worked with at CNRS.

EDIT: and if you're trying to get a job in the US, you might wish to state your US citizenship or imiigration status as it may be required for working in your field , where some research may be government funded and may be subject to ITAR or other restrictions...

B

Thanks for all of the feedback, I appreciate you taking the time.

I will certainly add in the References section: that was a rather bad oversight

I also agree with the institution-first approach rather than the date approach, since that seems more important as well.

I might change the publications section to a 'notable papers' that fits into a 2-pages total resume, with the full publication list available if desired. I'll see how this looks.

As far as layout goes, my own (or UK/bio-med) preferences are for a tabular layout, with the dates (most recent descending) in the left (narrow) column and details in the right (wide column). Host institute in bold as the first line, head of department 2nd line and what you did following after on successive lines.

At your level of expertise, do you think that it might be appropriate to fill in, as sub-sections, the practical approaches (specialised methodologies etc) with which you have fluency for each of your various doctoral/post-doc positions? My own CV is also very technical, but on the bio-med side, and I detail the various techniques with which I am fluent or have at least a broad understanding. Maybe within your own field, it is immediately recognised what those areas are, but if not, I would lay them out. It gives a fuller picture.

I'll see about combining some of these suggestions with the ones from balamw and see how it looks. A bit more tabular style may make keeping everything straight more feasible. I'll give this a go tonight and hope to get more feedback tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, I appreciate the effort.

 

[UKnjb]

There is a difference between a CV and a resume, and at this stage of the game, a full, long CV is more appropriate for him.

I agree 100%. You are in an esoteric academic field and this 2-page long CV is, IMO, total nonsense. You put the whole kit and caboodle down in pedantic detail, including and especially your publications. FWIW, and with no shame or bragging or any other thing, my own CV runs to 29 pages, comprises a short- and a long-form CV, has a Table of Contents page and is also bound. And it works - within my field.

As an extra - have you got any grants/awards that you can detail?

 

[63dot]

I agree 100%. You are in an esoteric academic field and this 2-page long CV is, IMO, total nonsense. You put the whole kit and caboodle down in pedantic detail, including and especially your publications. FWIW, and with no shame or bragging or any other thing, my own CV runs to 29 pages, comprises a short- and a long-form CV, has a Table of Contents page and is also bound. And it works - within my field.

As an extra - have you got any grants/awards that you can detail?

as an former hr person, i have never had to look at a teacher/professor resume, so i guess academia may be a field that can be an exception as to length

i once applied for a couple of teaching positions at a college and the application wanted to have the whole resume/experience written down in long hand...i had no idea if that was for handwriting analysis but many MDs out there, if they applied to the medical school, would fail in the handwriting department

 

[gauchogolfer]

I agree 100%. You are in an esoteric academic field and this 2-page long CV is, IMO, total nonsense. You put the whole kit and caboodle down in pedantic detail, including and especially your publications. FWIW, and with no shame or bragging or any other thing, my own CV runs to 29 pages, comprises a short- and a long-form CV, has a Table of Contents page and is also bound. And it works - within my field.

As an extra - have you got any grants/awards that you can detail?

I don't think I'll make it to 29 pages, but it's good to know I've not hit the ceiling yet . I'm looking more for industrial-type jobs, rather than academia at this point, so I'll likely be trying to keep it a bit more streamlined. I'll give it a go this evening and share my results when I've got some real changes made.

I'd say the only award so far is the Chateaubriand fellowship that I'm studying under in France right now...I'll try and highlight that in my revision. Right now it's kind of buried with my work experience.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[®îçhå®?]

The first thing that i noticed before i realised that it was too advanced for me is that you went to California Uni. It does seem a little wierd that you are such an avid Arsenal fan.

 

[gauchogolfer]

The first thing that i noticed before i realised that it was too advanced for me is that you went to California Uni. It does seem a little wierd that you are such an avid Arsenal fan.

Well I'm living in France right now and since Henry is the best player in the Premiership, I've naturally gravitated towards Arsenal

I'm pretty much a sports nut in general, and I'll even follow cricket on occasion, which I hear is unusual for an American.

 

[®îçhå®?]

Did you watch the Edgebaston test in the Ashes last year. That was gripping cricket, England winning by 2 runs!!! cricket is a really good sport. What i don't get is American football. Is is not really rougher than rugby and they wear so much safety equipment. If you want to be murdered, go into a rugby scum, Andrew Sheridan (English prop) has lost 2 inches in height in 1 year due to the pressures on the spine.

 

[SmurfBoxMasta]

Too many words = too many pages. More pages do not equate to a better candidate, just a faster trip to the "round" file.

Try to minimize your long-winded descriptions and statements.

Too much white space between the data, makes it seem as though you are strectching it out just to fill some more pages.....

I see very little about YOU, but ALOT about your education & research. Lots of facts, but very little substance, so to speak

Finally, where is your cover letter ???????