Would you hire this fool?

[Ibram]

I've finaly graduate college, and would like to get ya'll's opinion on my resume. I've been activly searching for a job for bout 5 months now, and have so far had only one interview... so if anyone has a pointer or two (or a job position )...

Objective: An entry level hardware/software design position.

Education: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
Bachelor of Engineering, August 2005
Major: Computer Engineering Minor: Computer Science
GPA: 2.27 / 4.0
Experience:
• As part of a team designed and developed a sensor array for the Sports Science Research Laboratory at Old Dominion University. Specifically: Researched parts for use in the system, developed and implemented the computer interface, and developed and implemented the interface between the computer and the sensors (using an OOPIC microcontroller). September 2004 to Present
• Worked with a team to develop a hardware based image compression system on an Altera Flex chip, using a Motorola 69HC11 microcontroller as a gateway between the Flex and the computer. Project involved: developing the communication between the computer, 68HC11, and the Altera Flex chip, designing and implementing an image compression algorithm for the Flex chip. January 2005 to May 2005
• Designed and developed an 8-bit one stage neural network. Specifically: coded parts in MAX+II, wired the hardware, and tested the network. September 2004 to December 2004
• Assisted in the construction of a Beowulf Cluster. Specifically: installed the hardware systems, installed the software on the slave nodes, and conducted research into the modification of the operating system.
• Substitute teacher for the Chesapeake Public Schools (middle school and high school), January 2004 to present. January 2004 to June 2005
• Parts department assistant for Cummins Atlantic. Specifically: Took and filled orders and managed inventory. June 2001 to August 2001

Computer Skills:
• Proficient with C++, Labview, Max+II, and OOPIC.
• Operating system experience: Windows systems (including system operation and desktop programs), Apple (basic operations), and Unix/Linux (shell scripts, programming, basic system operations)
• Knowledgeable in the use of function generators, oscilloscopes, and digital multimeters
• Some experience with: Assembly language, digital cameras, computer networks (installation and maintenance of wireless and Ethernet systems).

 

[Psionicist]

What do you do in your spare time?

If you, say, build robots for fun, write that too.

 

[LightPhoenix]

Congrats on graudating!

Don't get discouraged if it takes time to find a job. I ended up working retail for a little over a year before I finally got hired on a job that used my major. The important thing is to keep trying, and trying, and trying.

I'm not sure how engineering or CS jobs work, so I can't really comment on the resume. One thing I've heard debate about is grades for courses. Some people say do it, others say if your employer really cares, they'll ask. I tend to fall into the former camp. Your overall GPA and the GPA in your major and minor are probably more important than individual classes on a resume. When you get an interview, that's the time to bring up individual grades, especially if you took classes pertinent to the subject at hand.

Also, I would be more specific with "lab equipment". I'm pretty sure you don't know how to use a PCR machine, but that's what comes to mind for me.

Finally, I would avoid the word proficient... it comes off, again to me at least, as the basest level of understanding. Could be me being weird though.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Don't know exactly where you are looking to find a job, but UVA is always looking for computer tech and programmers. Take a look: http://www.hrs.virginia.edu/staffing/class.html

And if you are interested in a computer support position at all, this one is in my department: http://as400.hrs.virginia.edu/cgi-bin/db2www/jobs/ucdet.mac/details?jva=LB USER J03BB 001

 

[cuteasaurus]

I'll second the "put overall GPA" instead of indiviudal class grades. Also, what's your rationale for including those hobbies and interests? I've found that unless they are related to the job for which you're applying (computer guy for a studio that teaches Aikido or something) then it's generally best to leave them off, but that's just my $0.02

 

[BiggusGeekus]

We could always use another gamer here.

Toss me your resume.

derekbecker AT hotmail DOT com

I'll send it over to our recruiter. We're in Reston, VA, so you wouldn't have to relocate much.

 

[Shadeus]

I manage an IT dept in Chicago and have reviewed 100s of resumes. Let me put a few of my own observations on this:

- Grades don't matter. Maybe put your overall GPA on there, but only until you get your first job. Then dump it.

- Segregate your experience. If you have different projects, put the project title as the "job" referencing the time frame as well. The only dates you have are on substitute teaching. Don't use bullet points for your experience. Use bullet points beneath each "project" to highlight your responsibilities and skills required. Basically use your "specifically" section as bullets

- Put your experience in order of the most recent first and then decending to the furthest date. Employers want to see what you are doing now.

- The specifics are good. I look to those to see if they demonstrate good problem solving, or customer service skills or whatever it is I need.

- Specify which Windows systems you are familiar with. Can you do administrative work on these systems or it is simply as a user. If you can do system administration or server work, then specify that as well.

- Hobbies are wasted space in my opinion. I don't care if someone builds floats in their spare time, as long as they can program on company time. But it can also spark a conversation if someone else has a similar interest.

That's about it. These changes should pad it a bit as well to make it a little longer. Good luck with your job search!

 

[RangerWickett]

Where are you?

 

[IronWolf]

I am another one that would drop the hobbies from the resume unless for some particular job it has a direct bearing on some factor.

 

[Umbran]

As a peer writing tutor, I used to teach a bit of reume writing...

Hobbies are a waste of space, unless they are directly relevant to the position sought. If, for example, you are a Scoutmaster for the local troop of Boy Scouts, and you're lookign for a teaching job, you'd include it. But if the hobby has no bearing on how you'd perform your job, they don't care.

Be a bit more specific in your objective. Saying, "I'm looking for a job" says, "I'm looking for a job, any job, I'm desperate and I have no prospects". Tell them, "I'm looking for a job that will allow me to use particular skills and grow in particular directions." Fill in the particulars yourself.

Be more specific about the OSs you're familiar with. Windows 98 is not Windows XP is not Windows Server 2003. For Linus/unix and Mac, also list the specific flavors and versions.

Grades may or may not matter, depending upon where you apply. But then only in terms of GPA, or grade within your major. If you can say your graduated cum laude or the like, you can soon dispense with grade details altogether.

"Lab equipment' is far too vague,a nd any reader who knows lab work knows it. The equipment you'll find in a chemistry lab is not the same as in a biotech lab, is not the same as in a physics lab, is not the same in an electronics lab. If you can say you're familiar with electronic diagnostics equipment, for example, you're not implying that you know how to deal with gas chromatographs...

As a general note - when you're submitting to larger companies, your resume will generally get glanced at. You've got 30 seconds to one minute to catch the reader's attention so that they'll read more deeply.