Posted on Jun 5, 2016
CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR
10
10
0
Avatar feed
Responses: 42
TSgt Alex Benningfield
6
6
0
Personally I would write it because I know what I did, what the immediate and direct impact was. This, to me, prevents stretching the truth so far it becomes a lie. That being said I understand professional resume writers know what they are doing and can word something far better than I. Maybe after my first round of resumes I will see how things go.
(6)
Comment
(0)
MSgt Munitions and Weapons Maintenance Supervisor
MSgt (Join to see)
8 y
LTC Jason Mackay - That's best approach Sir.
(0)
Reply
(0)
CW5 Jack Gaudet
CW5 Jack Gaudet
8 y
Just make sure you have someone else read it. We tend to put too much military emphasis on what we did and some of that does not translate directly to the civilian jargon. If you know someone (manager) on the outside, take it to them. Find a format which works for you and translate your KSAs to that format. It comes down to Do you read what I am saying. Good Luck
(0)
Reply
(0)
PO2 David Allender
PO2 David Allender
8 y
Might try both worlds and buy a book of resume report writing. Your knowledge of your experiences and a resume written right by the book.
(0)
Reply
(0)
SPC Rebecca M.
SPC Rebecca M.
8 y
I've posted a longer response to the original question, but there ARE professional resume writers (like myself) who are also veterans who understand and know both worlds. Might be a consideration to find one if you want to have someone do it from scratch or who can tweak what you already have done yourself.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Msw
2
2
0
Today corporations have computers do the filtering for the job selection process. It is vital you take a look at the announcement and use the key words they have used. Otherwise you will be put on the bottom of the pile! Additionally, use the key words for your particular job description and try to match the wording for the job announcement. Although this sounds hard it is quite easy. Just compare your experience and correlate the words used in the job announcement to promote the best vision you can of a competent employee wanting to do the job offered by the employer.
(2)
Comment
(0)
SPC Rebecca M.
SPC Rebecca M.
8 y
Exactly. I was a Fortune 500 corporate headhunter (recruiter) for a time after my military service and then transitioned not long afterwards to do more comprehensive vocational services to include resume writing, interview prep, and so on. The software (which I was responsible for) utilizes keywords. Unfortunately, there are many software packages out there and they all have slightly different algorithms. Best bet is to read the announcement, utilize the key nouns they include, and keep the format simple with a basic standard text font. Save your resume in multiple formats, too, such as Word documents, .rtf, .txt, and .pdf as some places prefer one format over another. Ensure your resume is targeted to that specific job announcement, too. Just a few hints. Not everyone is willing to do into that slush folder to look at auto-discarded resumes that may have been sent there in error like I was willing to do pretty much daily.
(0)
Reply
(0)
SGT Frances Richardson
SGT Frances Richardson
8 y
So basically change your resume for every job that you search for?
(0)
Reply
(0)
SSG Jay Marchand
SSG Jay Marchand
8 y
If you want to be considered for a specific position, yes, gear your talents to that job. Thats why you should hire a company that can translate your time and duty postions into civilian lingo.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
CPL Eric Krueger
2
2
0
Edited 8 y ago
If you know someone in the industry in which you are looking, then have them take a look at your resume to offer critique. Different industries will look at resumes with different focuses at times. Always best to write it yourself and get help from there. If it needs to be rewritten because you don't feel confident in your writing then that is okay as well. The goal of the resume is to get you in the door for an interview and hopefully you shine from there.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close