TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Re: 'Splain me somethin... (was Re: TW Resumes: What to look 4?)
Subject:Re: 'Splain me somethin... (was Re: TW Resumes: What to look 4?) From:Chris Hamilton <chamilton -at- GR -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 20 Feb 1997 07:22:25 -0600
Bob Morrisette wrote:
>
> A writer with experience in most cases cannot list all qualifications on
> one page.
>
> A well written resume along with a cover letter custom written for the position
> being applied for is the most effective package. I always use real paper
> and the US Mail. E-mailed or faxed resumes look crappy and should only be
> used in emergencies. Remember, a resume is likely to be passed around
> to many people, including your future peers.
>
I respectfully disagree. When I'm looking, I create a different resume
for each opportunity and tailor that resume to the opportunity. All
other extraneous information is left out, so I usually don't have a
problem with one page. I haven't had anyone tell me I didn't include
enough information and I've rarely missed a call back on a job I thought
I was well-qualified for.
With regard to e-mail or fax, I use it if the ad includes the e-mail
address or fax number. If the employer doesn't want e-mail or fax, they
won't put the e-mail address or fax number in the ad. These methods get
the information there more quickly. My phone number and e-mail are on
the resume and people have called me and asked to me send cleaner copies
via snail mail. In talking to a lot of people in my last job search, no
one seemed to have a problem with this.
If I mail a resume, I always include two versions, one for looking
pretty and one for scanning. I explain this in my cover letter, too.
After all, you can't do a whole lot of nice layout on a resume intended
for scanning, and the nice layout is part of what I'm evaluated on.
Chris
--
Chris Hamilton, Technical Writer
Greenbrier & Russel
847.330.4146
"Try? Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
