• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
programming forums Java Mobile Certification Databases Caching Books Engineering Micro Controllers OS Languages Paradigms IDEs Build Tools Frameworks Application Servers Open Source This Site Careers Other Pie Elite all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
Marshals:
  • Campbell Ritchie
  • Jeanne Boyarsky
  • Ron McLeod
  • Paul Clapham
  • Liutauras Vilda
Sheriffs:
  • paul wheaton
  • Rob Spoor
  • Devaka Cooray
Saloon Keepers:
  • Stephan van Hulst
  • Tim Holloway
  • Carey Brown
  • Frits Walraven
  • Tim Moores
Bartenders:
  • Mikalai Zaikin

Proof Read Resume and/or Cover Letter

 
Ranch Hand
Posts: 177
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Is it appropriate to pm a javaranch moderator/bartender/experienced ranch hand requesting him/her to proof read your resume/cover letter?
(Assuming Javaranch is the only common thread between the two people :-) )
 
Marshal
Posts: 79177
377
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I would wait and see whether you get any offers here. You can expect to pass some cash with the resume, however. that may be tax-deductible.
 
Kavita Tipnis
Ranch Hand
Posts: 177
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Ahemm How about deferring the cash reward until the new job!
Well I am just looking for input as in , if you see *this* resume, then hit delete or star it .
 
Ranch Hand
Posts: 2187
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I would like to help.

Please send me a copy of your resume with a U.S. Postal Money order for $50. I will give it a thorough look-over and provide you with feedback.

Looking forward to helping you.

James
 
Kavita Tipnis
Ranch Hand
Posts: 177
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator

Campbell Ritchie wrote:You can expect to pass some cash with the resume, however. that may be tax-deductible.


Are you serious? I took it as a joke! but James post above made me wonder if you guys are serious.
 
author & internet detective
Posts: 41860
908
Eclipse IDE VI Editor Java
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
It is a joke. I think it would be better to approach this differently. Rather than starting with someone specific in mind, ask if anyone would be willing to proofread it for you. That way, any interested parties are PM'ng you rather than getting spammed.
 
Campbell Ritchie
Marshal
Posts: 79177
377
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Half a joke. I did think the post about $50 was a little bit excessive.

You are asking for a service, and people might be willing to offer it free. But on the other hand, whoever does it is taking on a responsibility, so could legitimately claim payment. Telling you this is a "hit delete" resume or a "star" resume implies taking on part of the responsibility for your finding a job. I am willing to proof-read some things, but not applications.

There are some agencies and companies, at least here in Britain, who will review applications like that, but they charge a fee, starting about £30, which is not much less than $50.
What about your college where you were trained? Do they have anybody who can help?

Agree with Jeanne about simply asking and seeing whether you get a response.
 
Kavita Tipnis
Ranch Hand
Posts: 177
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I am trying to get my resume updated following guidelines from Javaranch folks.
For Example . This thread Advices From a Recruiter
Yes there are a couple professional friends that I know who are also going to take a look but all of us average the same experience 1-3 yrs.
So I wanted to get more of a techie outlook on the resume, so I thought rather than going on a pm spree , I just ask the question and as you suggested just wait to hear from interested members. Thanks.
 
Jimmy Clark
Ranch Hand
Posts: 2187
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Kavita, I was certainly not joking, and $50 is a very modest fee. However, if you think your career is worth some real investment, I have a few friends that will certainly help. Check out:

http://www.countrysbestresumes.com/

Good luck!
 
Author
Posts: 3473
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
It is a small amount to pay for great rewards. Your Payback period will be just 1-5 days.
 
Kavita Tipnis
Ranch Hand
Posts: 177
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator

James Clarks wrote:Kavita, I was certainly not joking, and $50 is a very modest fee. However, if you think your career is worth some real investment, I have a few friends that will certainly help. Check out:

http://www.countrysbestresumes.com/


Thank You! I am considering your offer because it would definitely be worth it.

However your and arulk's post above spark a new question, does getting your resume done by using a professional resume services
make you more marketable?
I understand it can be hard to frame your skills and work experience such that it appeals to the person reading your resume.
But just find it hard to digest that if you can't make yourself marketable then how can someone else do it for you?
 
Jimmy Clark
Ranch Hand
Posts: 2187
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
A good resume service will gather information from you , e.g. what you have done, what you want to do, geography, markets, etc.,

Then they will apply their knowledge and expertise, including design, writing, subject areas ... and most importantly their marketing abilities, to the resume creation process.

So, if you are an expert writer, graphic designer, computer programmer, marketing specialist, all in one, then you most likely would not need any help creating a resume.

But, if you are not all of these things and just a Java programmer, then you could benefit from professional resume services.

 
arulk pillai
Author
Posts: 3473
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Firstly, writing a resume is

-- An ongoing process: you keep updating your resume every x months or so as you acquire new skills, experience, abilty, etc.

Secondly,

-- It needs to be customized for each job based on the job specification. This is more relevant for more experienced professionals.


Thirdly,

-- A good resume will not only market your current skills, ability, experience, etc in a better light than your competitors who have done the same thing as you, but also will make you realize what skills, experience, abilities, etc you are missing. So, you can go and acquire those skills and experience to improve your marketability.


So, it is better to cultivate your marketing skills -- writing effective resumes, promoting yourself in a better light at interviews, etc. You can get your first resume done professionally, and get the subsequent updates done yourself. It is not that hard, if you put yourself in an emplyer's shoes. Always get someone to proof read it for basic mistakes like grammar, spelling, format, etc.
 
Kavita Tipnis
Ranch Hand
Posts: 177
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator

arulk pillai wrote:
Thirdly,

-- A good resume will not only market your current skills, ability, experience, etc in a better light than your competitors who have done the same thing as you, but also will make you realize what skills, experience, abilities, etc you are missing. So, you can go and acquire those skills and experience to improve your marketability.


So, it is better to cultivate your marketing skills -- writing effective resumes, promoting yourself in a better light at interviews, etc. You can get your first resume done professionally, and get the subsequent updates done yourself. It is not that hard, if you put yourself in an emplyer's shoes. Always get someone to proof read it for basic mistakes like grammar, spelling, format, etc.



I agree to this , you rather invest in learning new skills and make yourself marketable.
I guess asking professional resume services would depend on the individual. I personally feel you resume is your first impression and only you can make it or break it rather than have someone else do that for you. Then there is always Google to help you :-)
 
I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay, I sleep all night and work all day. Lumberjack ad:
a bit of art, as a gift, the permaculture playing cards
https://gardener-gift.com
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic