CV Tips - Graduate Engineer

[David]

Hi all,
I will be graduating from University within two months time and I am yet to receive any Job interviews here in the UK. I don't think this a reflection of the quality of my CV, but in an attempt to stand out I'd like to revise it some more. What are peoples opinions on adding a 'Product portfolio' of past/current projects to a CV? I am also interested in whether to add specific information such as "...In-depth knowledge of custom microprocessor design" etc... I have always been concious of over-selling myself and I can't personally stand people bullshitting pointless information, I sometimes wonder if I should?!

Anyone willing to share some tips?

Regards,
Dave

[rossmoffett]

I'm in your position except I graduate in one month and I've already turned down one job because of location/personal reasons.  Here are some tips I liked that I will pass along.

Customize your resume to the company.  Research what they do and what the job pertains to and emphasize your skill sets in those areas.  Your other skill sets are interesting, but ancillary to the job they're trying to hire you for.  Avoid giving too much space to job experience you've had that's totally unrelated to the job, it wastes their time.  One of the coolest tips I heard (from one of my instructors) was to think in terms of a person reviewing hundreds of resumes.. they could use any excuse to dismiss yours and avoid reading it altogether.  Don't allow any failure in your resume that could give them an excuse to ditch it.  Include nothing negative, don't make it too wordy or too long.

One company I've applied for only takes text-only resumes submitted through an online form, so I made a completely different resume for them using online tips pertaining to text-only resumes.  I got an interview.. haven't heard back yet.

One last thing.. I read a book called "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie.  I highly recommend it to people trying to influence someone to do something for them.. it's a really great classic book and very inexpensive.  It'll do you better than any tips or tricks pertaining to resumes will do you.  Go read reviews of it on Amazon or somewhere else before you think of dismissing that notion entirely.

[DJPhil]

One last thing.. I read a book called "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie.

This is an excellent classic from an interesting author. I just thought I'd throw in that much of his work is public domain, depending on where you live in the world and who you ask. If you are comfortable reading an e-book it's out there for download. Use your own judgment and enjoy.

[EEVblog]

If you don't have past/current projects listed on your CV then you are crazy! That is probably the most important part for a graduate, or anyone for that matter.
No one will give a toss about what grades you got, what classes you studied, that you made shift manager at Macca's, or that you are the dean's pet student. All they care about is what stuff you have worked on, what stuff you think you know, and how keen you are.

Always put a short summary at the top as the first thing. i.e "I have X years experience in analog and high speed circuit design. I specialise in X and X" etc.
Summary first, key skills list second, reverse chronological work history third, personal projects and publications, and finally qualifications last.

If you think you have in-depth knowledge of something, then say so, don't hold back. You MUST appear confident in your abilities.

Forget anything to do with high school, hobbies, your pet dog, or previous jobs unrelated to the field, no one cares.
DO mention that you read and participate in forums, read mags, and have an active interest in the electronics industry outside of work or regular study, that will set you apart.

Feel free to bullshit a little if you think you can back it up!
I had a new-ish grad once say he was an "expert in microcontrollers" so I asked him to name two brands. He scored zero.

I agree with Ross, it pays to customise your resume.

Resumes get sorted by "sniff test", a 10 second scan is often all they get. Stand out in the first sentence.

Dave.

[Simon]

Feel free to bullshit a little if you think you can back it up!
I had a new-ish grad once say he was an "expert in microcontrollers" so I asked him to name two brands. He scored zero.

This is sadly true with so many people making a lot out of nothing you will find you have no choice but to do the same except being able to back it up is key. Where i work we are always inventing stuff to impress clients but have to be careful wee have something to show for it (makes the job of QC rather pointless but at least i have a job)

[armandas]

No one will give a toss about what grades you got, what classes you studied, <...>

Sadly, I had the opposite experience regarding this. I applied for a summer job at one company, and my CV got me into the 2nd stage. Then they asked me to send in exam results. I had some bad results in courses like statistics, but the "important" subject (electronics, programming etc.) grades were pretty good. The total average was over 60%, so I was confident. The week later, I got an email saying they were not going to invite me for the interview..

Don't know if anyone else here does this, but I added this company to my blacklist 

[Simon]

it's a bit of a retarded way of working typical of someone that head hunts for lack of knowing what a good candidate needs. I had the same problem getting apprentiship like jobs because I studied in Italy and there were just so many applicants

[David]

Thanks for all the tips. Looks like I'll be giving my CV a complete re-vamp (by starting again  )

Thanks,
Dave

[David]

What are peoples opinions of putting GCSE results on their CV's? Should I just stick to Degree and A-levels?

[Simon]

if at all put the grades that are related to the subjects and qualifications the job involves ?

[David]

Thanks again. I have just completely re-vamped my CV and I have to say it looks a hundred times better, just hope it works!

Dave

[David]

Hmm well I don't know how much difference my new CV made, but I uploaded it to an electronics recruitment website (Yes, maybe a bad idea...) and they phoned/emailed me this morning asking for more details on the type of jobs I was after and wanted to know more about my final year project. I'm not holding my breathe as I suspect they do this for everyone who uploads a CV, makes more money for them I assume...

Dave

[Simon]

remember that at the end of the day head hunters are more worried about making money for themselves and not loosing their reputation particularly now as there are so many of them