Do you help to build your subordinates resumes? Any methods that will help?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 23:57:14 -0400

My SGT told me to do:

1) Tailor your resume to the company you're applying for
2) Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Employers want specific situations, not only bullet points
3) Have at least THREE people proofread it (I can as well)
4) Keep it short

Feel free to chime in

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 3 at 2016 12:14 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 00:14:13 -0400

I'm confused. Why should I build a subordinate's resume. Shouldn't they build their own? I have written plenty of letters of recommendation for them, but only my own resume

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jun 3 at 2016 1:22 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 01:22:51 -0400

You should check out the http://www.parttimecommander.com website. There's info there....

Citizen Soldier Resource Center

Citizen Soldier Resource Center for Army Officers, NCOs and Soldiers in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 1:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 01:23:44 -0400

The important thing to remember is that you don't want to do it for them, but teach them. There are a lot of classes out there to help with resume writing as well.

Everyone has their own methods of resume writing, and they are not necessarily wrong. There are better and worse, but once again that comes down to opinion. The only persons opinion that matters is the potential employer who is reading it. But, as SSG John Thornton said, you want to make sure you take your military experience and convert it to civilian terminology. It would be wonderful if the person who was interviewing you was prior service, but it makes things easier. Military Jargon is all well and good, and your experience does matter, but those reading it have to be able to understand, or it is a safe bet they will say "I don't know what this dude is talking about," and toss your resume out of the pile.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 1:59 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 01:59:08 -0400

Pick and choose content. If I am applying for a logistics job, I don't want to waste valuable space going into great detail about the time I spent lifeguarding or teaching swim lessons unless I am trying to display things that are relevant, like leadership roles, making schedules, etc. Bullet points, that may depend on your employer. The STAR method is great, but you also need to keep their attention. If you use the STAR method, I would encourage you to add a bulleted Professional Summary section at the beginning of your resume, that way they can skim and see what you're offering and if they are impressed, they can read through your examples.

I like helping people build their resumes, but even if your leadership isn't up to the task, many bases offer classes on it to military members and their spouses.

Response by SGT David T. made Jun 3 at 2016 7:59 AM

SGT David T. — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 07:59:41 -0400

Your NCO's advice is mostly sound. #4 changes if you are interested in Federal employment. Our resumes are MUCH longer than our private sector counterparts. I just interviewed for a position and my resume was 9 pages just to illustrate this. Other than that one exception it was great advice.

I would add though that you need to translate military terms to civilian speak.

Response by CW5 Andrew J. Foreman made Jun 3 at 2016 8:07 AM

CW5 Andrew J. Foreman — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 08:07:01 -0400

Last year I considered retirement and started my transition. While it took some time I had to translate all of my military experience into civilian language. Do not discount anything you did in your career it all counts and is relevant, even if it just shows leadership. Officers and NCOs have more training in leadership then most in the civilian side play that up. Army Community Services and Soldier for Life (formerly ACAP) have great classes in resume writing. If you are applying on USAJOBS get with ACS on a class specific to USAJOBS applications.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 8:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 08:21:02 -0400

Exactly SSG John Thornton "Wordology" is a art. Leave all the military lingo out of it. You can explain what you've done by taking the time and figuring out what you've done and comparing it to the job you are applying for. Also:
-No more than 3 pages. 2 for your resume and 1 for reference page.
-Make sure you let your references know you would like to use them as a reference
-Build yourself a very strong "base resume". Once you have that it is easier to adjust it when you are applying for specific jobs.
-Do a "practice" interview with different individuals.

I stuck with my points above along with the others have mentioned. I also had 4 different individuals look at my resume from different backgrounds. With their input I was able to adjust mine accordingly. It must have worked well(or I just got damn lucky), but I was offered a very lucrative job on my first interview.

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Jun 3 at 2016 9:53 AM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 09:53:34 -0400

Well, the resume doesn't need to be tailored quite so much, though you definitely want to work it around depending on the position you're going for. Know your buzzwords, too. Drop different buzzwords in the package depending on what the company's put into their job ad. Make sure you highlight all the areas they're looking for. If they say they need someone that knows Microsoft Office 365, you make sure to include that you use it regularly. If they say they need someone skilled in underwater basketweaving, you tell them how many you can make before you have to come back up for air.

And this cannot be stressed enough. The cover letter is never, ever optional. Even if the company says it's optional, it's not.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 10:55 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 10:55:55 -0400

Goto SFL-TAP and take the Resume class, then take the Govt Resume class. No one can give you better answers!

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 3 at 2016 11:02 AM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:02:51 -0400

I wonder if ACAP will let you in early for the resume building.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 6 at 2021 7:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 19:46:51 -0400

They can help you with resume writing at the transition point.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 6 at 2021 11:48 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 23:48:10 -0400

Better question: have you actively sought out the training and education necessary to make you remotely qualified to help your subordinates build their resumes?
In this instance, bad advice is worse than no advice...