Resume Writing Advice

jrdrylie · 08-22-2012, 05:36 PM

Hey guys, I'm pretty sure a few of you have mentioned that you have been a part of looking over resumes and hiring people, so I was looking for a bit of advice for my resume since my job situation is kind of strange.

I have worked for something called the US Army Logistics Support Activity for 2 1/2 years. In that time, I've had three positions. One was teaching soldiers logistics, one was working with funding for Army projects and operations, and the current one deals with logistics on Army-owned vehicles. So naturally, all of those positions have completely different job duties and accomplishments. But for each one, my job title has been Logistics Management Specialist.

So my question is, should I list this as three different jobs on my resume? Should I list it as one position and just put a bunch of duties under it (it would probably be 15-20 bullets under there)? It just looks kind of weird to have three headings saying US Army Logistics Support Activity Logistics Management Specialist. Thanks in advance for the advise!

prock · 08-22-2012, 05:44 PM

I would probably put it as one job and then put a sub-heading for each job under the title with a line describing your duties at each position.

Brothgar · 08-22-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdrylie

Hey guys, I'm pretty sure a few of you have mentioned that you have been a part of looking over resumes and hiring people, so I was looking for a bit of advice for my resume since my job situation is kind of strange.

I have worked for something called the US Army Logistics Support Activity for 2 1/2 years. In that time, I've had three positions. One was teaching soldiers logistics, one was working with funding for Army projects and operations, and the current one deals with logistics on Army-owned vehicles. So naturally, all of those positions have completely different job duties and accomplishments. But for each one, my job title has been Logistics Management Specialist.

So my question is, should I list this as three different jobs on my resume? Should I list it as one position and just put a bunch of duties under it (it would probably be 15-20 bullets under there)? It just looks kind of weird to have three headings saying US Army Logistics Support Activity Logistics Management Specialist. Thanks in advance for the advise!

I've been told to list it as one job title then list the different sub categories and their responsibilities in a bulleted list.

Ex

2009-present US Army Logistics Support

2009
Taught troops how to use logistics.
-I did this thing
-I did that thing
- I rule because I did this other thing too
2010
second sub job within the title.
-Main responsibility
-etc
-etc
2011
etc. etc. etc.

I wouldn't do more than three things specially if you have more work experience you want to add. But HR people don't want to spend too much time on one resume or so I've been told so don't over do it.

WCH · 08-22-2012, 05:53 PM

I'm with Broth. That's what I do on my resume and it's what I've expected the handful of times I've had to look at resumes. It's basically the "Don't Make Me Think" principle.

Rob S · 08-22-2012, 05:59 PM

It all depends.....I like Broth's idea in most cases, but if you were promoted you damn sure better make that clear.

jrdrylie · 08-22-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob S

It all depends.....I like Broth's idea in most cases, but if you were promoted you damn sure better make that clear.

I was promoted. Not sure how familiar you guys are with Government pay scales, but I was promoted from a 9 to 11 to 12. How would I go about annotating that on my resume?

Rob S · 08-22-2012, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdrylie

I was promoted. Not sure how familiar you guys are with Government pay scales, but I was promoted from a 9 to 11 to 12. How would I go about annotating that on my resume?

That's tough. Did you change departments?

jrdrylie · 08-22-2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob S

That's tough. Did you change departments?

Yeah. My place has five what they call "Centers." Each position was in a different center.

jballa838 · 08-22-2012, 06:20 PM

I would list them as different departments, because what you did was 3 different skill sets and throwing them into one list would undervalue what you did.

Hell, I don't know what you've done but logistics in the Army looks awesome on a resume and putting that first (above Education History and Other Work History) would be the best idea.

WCH · 08-22-2012, 06:24 PM

I agree that US Army Logistics Support sounds awesome. I think he also has an MBA or something, but I might be thinking of somebody else. If SWDC had a resume contest, jrdrylie would probably be one of the early favorites.

Rob S · 08-22-2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdrylie

Yeah. My place has five what they call "Centers." Each position was in a different center.

So, just list them as different jobs,

"Logistics MGT Specialist - X Dept."

"Logistics MGT Specialist - Y Dept."

Rob S · 08-22-2012, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCH

I agree that US Army Logistics Support sounds awesome. I think he also has an MBA or something, but I might be thinking of somebody else. If SWDC had a resume contest, jrdrylie would probably be one of the early favorites.

This would be one of the lamest things ever.

jrdrylie · 08-22-2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jballa838

I would list them as different departments, because what you did was 3 different skill sets and throwing them into one list would undervalue what you did.

Hell, I don't know what you've done but logistics in the Army looks awesome on a resume and putting that first (above Education History and Other Work History) would be the best idea.

I have my education listed first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCH

I agree that US Army Logistics Support sounds awesome. I think he also has an MBA or something, but I might be thinking of somebody else. If SWDC had a resume contest, jrdrylie would probably be one of the early favorites.

I do have an MBA. As for US Army Logistics Support Activity sounding awesome, parts of it are. My first job was awesome, I traveled across the country two weeks a month training units. My job now isn't quite as awesome. But if I volunteer to deploy for six months that would look awesome on a resume and I'd make a boatload of money.

WCH · 08-22-2012, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob S

This would be one of the lamest things ever.

No, it would be the lamest thing ever.

Brent · 08-22-2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdrylie

I have my education listed first.

Put your work first, unless it's unrelated to the job you're applying for.

MidwayMonster31 · 08-22-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob S

So, just list them as different jobs,

"Logistics MGT Specialist - X Dept."

"Logistics MGT Specialist - Y Dept."

To add on this, make sure there are clearly different duties.
Also for these duties, specifics help.
Ex:
Taught Army Vehicle logistics to Y amount of troops with use of Z.

vikes_28 · 08-22-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prock

I would probably put it as one job and then put a sub-heading for each job under the title with a line describing your duties at each position.

This. In my recent interview in which i got the position I did this. I've been working for the same company roughly 18 months and i'm on my 3rd position with them.

jballa838 · 08-22-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdrylie

I have my education listed first.

I do have an MBA. As for US Army Logistics Support Activity sounding awesome, parts of it are. My first job was awesome, I traveled across the country two weeks a month training units. My job now isn't quite as awesome. But if I volunteer to deploy for six months that would look awesome on a resume and I'd make a boatload of money.

I did not know what degree you had. If you list your undergrad and then your masters and then your work history it would look good. It's all about getting your point across as efficiency as possible

Rob S · 08-22-2012, 07:41 PM

I always list education first.

Anyway, JR.....I'd go...

US Army

---Highest Job
-------Accomplishments

---2nd Highest Job
-------Accomplishments

etc......

D-Unit · 08-22-2012, 08:26 PM

Make sure you put down "Highly experienced in SWDC".

Ron · 08-23-2012, 08:17 AM

Impact statementzzzzz

Caddy · 08-23-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob S

I always list education first.

Anyway, JR.....I'd go...

US Army

---Highest Job
-------Accomplishments

---2nd Highest Job
-------Accomplishments

etc......

You should put your past employment in chronological order.

Also, include your rep number.

jrdrylie · 08-23-2012, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddy

You should put your past employment in chronological order.

Also, include your rep number.

My resume goes Personal Information, Bachelors, Masters, jobs with most current first, relevant course work (I might remove this), and lastly awards, job training, certifications, and misc. skills.

Caddy · 08-23-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdrylie

My resume goes Personal Information, Bachelors, Masters, jobs with most current first, relevant course work (I might remove this), and lastly awards, job training, certifications, and misc. skills.

I think that is pretty much the correct order everything should be in. At least it's essentially what I do.

AntoinCD · 08-23-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdrylie

My resume goes Personal Information, Bachelors, Masters, jobs with most current first, relevant course work (I might remove this), and lastly awards, job training, certifications, and misc. skills.

I'm not too sure how job applications etc look in the US but in the UK and Ireland they all pretty much set out a certain amount of standards they are looking for in terms of shortlisting.

In my current job I have experience in interviews and looking through resumes and the one thing that i can say is try to make it pretty much like a check list.

I would personally tailor my resume to the particular job.

If in the person specification it has a big emphasis on education then I would have that relatively close to the top. Likewise if it was looking specific skills from employment then I would put that high. I would also try to link in my previous experience to what they were looking for

An example of how I may tailor my resume would be

1. Name and contact details

2. Education history and any professional qualifications obtained

3. Job history - most recent first

4. Skills obtained, in bullet points - for example if the job details analysis of statistical information I would write something like "While working in such and such a place from July 2006 to present, my main role would be something to do with statistical analyses etc"

5. Afterwards I would put in a short piece in regards to any training courses I had been on, skills from voluntary work etc and other skills

6. Finally I would add my references

If I could give one piece of advice it is to keep it as short and sharp as possible. Tick all the boxes on the job description briefly to show you have experience in that area but don't go into huge detail. That is what interviews are for. There is nothing worse from an employer's perspective than getting 100 resumes and seeing some that read like books.

As for your own experience in the Army you gotta put those down as promotions. You are trying to sell yourself without speaking to the person. They may not realise that each move was a step up in grade.