resume heLp

[sniffa]

it's been years since i put together a new resume, and i need to get together a new one. now, i don't have to gussy it up bunch for my Lack of experience.

any good resume sites, or good resumes i use as a bLock?

my time here is coming to an end - eventuaLLy. anywhere from a few months to a year, but IF we get the finaL contract i'd be empLoyed for quite a few more years. i've been sought out by another company for management position and i feeL i have to take it - Leaving here on my own terms as opposed to being Layed off... but i'm scared shitLess. switching jobs is aLways stressfuL, but now i'LL be back at the top of the totem poLe (prior to this company i had the same position, and it put hoLes in my stomach).

anyhow, i just need to taLk myseLf through this and any tips wouLd be appreciated, as weLL as urging me to not pass this up.

----

the new pLace wouLd be kinda far away - cost about $5K in traveL a year. is a $10K raise too much to ask for?

[MsFlorida]

1. having been an exec recruiter

in a former life, I've always liked the crisp look of a clean resume, ie; white paper, black arial type. Name Centered at the top, followed by education, experiences, etc.

When negotiating your compensation, take a look at just what the market will bear. $10k is not excessive and in some cases may be too low

[NewJeffCT]

3. agreed, $10K is not a lot to ask for

I'm currently in the early stages of looking at two jobs that would require me to relocate. One is a good $50K raise, but would require me to move to a more expensive zip code; the other would require me to move to a pink state (Virginia) - and, even though the cost of living is a bit cheaper in Virginia, I flat out told them I'd need at least $10-15K more per year just to think about the move.

[NewJeffCT]

2. what do you mean $5K in travel?

Is that the added expense of more gas for a longer drive? If it is solely that (and any highway tolls, etc), don't forget to add in wear & tear on your car. If your new job would be 50 miles farther away from work than your current job, you may want to look into moving, as you'd get a tax deduction.

If this new company understands that you now have a longer commute, then $10,000 per year more is not a lot to ask for, unless you're talking $15,000 a year to $25,000 per year.

[sniffa]

4. about 100 miLes driving round trip

currentLy i take the train to work - LocaL train, not commuter raiL.

so i took an accurate guesstimate on how much it was costing me when i had a simiLar commute at my previous job - gas + wear n tear + more frequent oiL changes & tires & whatever

the new job wouLd aLso be Looooong hours, and most LikeLy saLary (i'm hourLy now, with time and haLf OT). i'd aLso be working with my best friend (different division, but he's the one who recommended me) and i never Like to work with friends - it usuaLLy Leads to disaster. and the management position wouLd probabLy bring a return of the stomach aches. doh!

on the pLus side, i'd be doing fuLfiLLing work - right now, i feeL Like a monkey pLugging away. i'd aLso get back on track for career advancement.

[Osamasux]

5. Don't forget to consider parking

If parking has to paid for, the differences between cities can run $3,000 per year.

[sniffa]

6. true, but now a worry here

i'd be moving from an office in the city to an office out in the sticks (centraL ma) - no parking worries.

i may be getting ahead of myseLf - i haven't been "offered" anything yet. i need to put together a resume, go in for an interview and such. i'm just a bit panicky at the thought of it.

[NewJeffCT]

7. where in Central Mass?

My wife works a little bit west of Worcester (or, Wuh stah) near Sturbridge. It really is the sticks.

[sniffa]

8. east of there - fLavor country

marLburrry

[jukes]

9. sniffdude

don't eschew the lower case 'L' in your resume!!!

:spank:

[Osamasux]

10. I look for accomplishments on resumes.

When I look at a resume, I don't just want to see where you worked and what the job was. I want to see a few specific bullets about what YOU did while you were there. (Created x, improved y, integrated c and d.) Then I'll follow up on those accomplishments during the interviews to test the persons understanding of them. That gives me a decent read of the person and helps differentiate between candidates. Keep them brief. Translate company-specific terms to general industry terms.