Keep in mind that your resume is one of your biggest $elling tools…

By Marty Byrd, Southwest Design Services, Houston TX

Today, many employers are “scanning” resumes into computer databases, enabling them to better match a potential employee’s skills and experience with their open jobs. Keywords are pulled directly from the resume to code in skills.

To facilitate this, follow these tips:

  • Keep your resume up to date and active!
  • Microsoft Word doc is the best format.
  • Do not use graphics or background images.
  • Use a 12 point size font (Times New Roman or Arial are recommended.)
  • Use consistent type styles. Avoid italics, bold, underlining, and mixing fonts.
  • Place your name, address and phone number on the first three lines of the first page and include your email address.
  • Don’t exceed 3 pages. Employers are most interested in your recent experience.
  • Gender, age, religious preferences, marital status, family status, and hobbies are not hiring criteria and are best left off of your resume.

Today’s resumes are sent out via email. (No more Faxed in copies)

Check your spelling…Oops! (We have had a lot of complaints due to poor spelling)

Remember your resume must make it past the HR dept. to the Hiring Managers! If you have a mistake, your cover letter and resume may be rejected. The interviewer may assume that you lack thoroughness when you don’t bother to proof your cover letter and resume. Most computers today have a spell check which makes errors even more inexcusable.

It is the content of your resume that is important. Your resume must quickly convey your knowledge and capabilities. It should include the following information in a logical order:

  • Name, address and phone number(s).
  • Current title or position.
  • Summary of experience, include years of experience.
  • Education, degrees, GPA, year of graduation.
  • Employment history with brief description of work performed.
  • List your computer skills on a per job basis
  • Training, any special skills and abilities, and job related expertise. (Example: computer, tools, etc.)
  • Industry and professional association memberships and professional registration(s).

SAMPLE RESUME FORMAT

Name
Title
Address – Phone – Email Contact Info
Education:
EXPERIENCE:

03/2008-07/2008 Name of Engineering Name Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Assigned to the Alon Explosion Rebuild in Big Spring Texas. Duties included field review damaged piping and assess requirements needed to reroute new piping. P&ID’s were reviewed and walked down w/ necessary changes being made as required. Very fast paced job with all Iso’s being drawn by hand and later converted to PDS.

12//2008-03/2008 Name of Engineering Company Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Senior piping designer participated in new addition for Diakin Chemical (Decatur Alabama) this project was designed exclusively with the use of Cad Pipe 3D, and Bently Autoplant. On this project I was worked on equipment arrangements and all associated senior piping design. Communicated w/ other disciplines to assure all aspects of 3D model were accurate.

02//2007-12/2008 Name of Engineering Company Charleston, West Virginia

Hired as project manager for Equitable Resources’ (Natural Gas Pipe-line and Compressor stations) duties included organize and oversee several new compressor installations. This included supervision of construction crews, QA/QC, and some procurement, as well as set up for deliveries. Later transferred to Channelview, Texas and assigned to work at the Lyondell Chemical Plant as a senior piping designer, to work on various project with in the refinery.

References upon request