im writing a resume for a job and i realize i have no good job references to put. are there any loopholes i can use to pad my resume or am i pretty much screwed.

12/6/2005 12:31:21 AM

put in courses that you've taken at ncsu that are relevant to the job that you are applying for.

12/6/2005 12:32:39 AM

Don't put down references. If they want some, they will ask.

12/6/2005 12:33:25 AM

Are you talking references as in people who can verify your abilities or relevant job experience?

12/6/2005 12:34:21 AM

Highlighting leadership skills in any area would be a good place to start. Unless you are trying to get an experienced level position, they are expecting to have to train you anyway and are more interested in what type of employee you will be.

12/6/2005 12:39:51 AM

if youve done any big course projects you might want to put that if you are struggling to find stuff.

12/6/2005 1:33:26 AM

ever since i can remember my stepdad put available upon request for references

12/6/2005 1:36:23 AM

I includle references with my resume and explain on my cover letter that they can feel free to contact them. I have references that are familiar with my abilities and qualifications and have agreed to be a reference for me...so I just let them all know that they might be hearing from places that I am applying to.

12/6/2005 1:39:56 AM

nobody mentions references anymore - but if you must do then put available upon request

12/6/2005 1:48:16 AM

I talked to my advisor about it and she told me it certainly couldn't hurt to include them and that many places thought it was professional to do so.

Although what do I know?

12/6/2005 1:57:52 AM

I have heard from many sources that adding references (usually 3) will add an extra page to your resume. If you can keep your resume at one page then it will be a lot easier on however is looking at it. I'm pretty sure that anyone who is interested in you will know to contact you for some references if they need them.

12/6/2005 7:40:19 AM

^thats what i heard too

12/6/2005 7:44:37 AM

I heard that the whole hiring process is subjective and there is no way to tell whether to include references or not. But fear not, it won't matter because the stupid lazy HR people will just hire someone's nephew instead of you.

12/6/2005 8:40:59 AM

unless you are specifically asked, its not a general practice to include references on an initial resume.

12/6/2005 8:43:47 AM

Major : meteorology

just write i know greg fishel, bitch real big on a piece of paper with your number at the bottom

12/6/2005 9:34:53 AM

^

12/6/2005 9:48:45 AM

make up sh!t.

12/6/2005 10:19:31 AM

including references is optional. i wouldn't take up space on my resume to write "references available upon request" b/c it is stating the obvious. however, if you think they might know some of your references, it can be a networking tool for you. if you include references, they should go on a separate sheet, making your total packet 3 pages in most cases... page 1-cover letter, page 2-resume, page 3-references.

if you don't have references you are proud of, i would completely avoid this on the front end. if requested though, you will have to supply them. don't forget you can use former professors, and personal references as well as supervisors.

12/6/2005 10:33:12 AM

Quote :

"unless you are specifically asked, its not a general practice to include references on an initial resume. "

12/6/2005 10:53:04 AM

use scented brightly colored paper

put a picture of a cute puppy at the bottom

12/6/2005 11:11:55 AM

I included them as a separate page...
and...I got offered a job this morning from a place I applied to on Friday and haven't even interviewed with except a mini-interview when they originally called me last night.

12/6/2005 11:27:52 AM

Quote :

"nobody mentions references anymore - but if you must do then put available upon request"

depends on your industry/company. people in our hiring dept don't particularly like having to request references cause we actually call them up. honestly, i was always taught that as a recent college grad, it is pretty arrogant putting "available upon request". you can get away with it if your experience speaks for itself but rarely does a 22 year old have that.

12/6/2005 11:39:00 AM

the HR person probably will check your references when they are ready to hire. she will ask you for this.

12/6/2005 6:34:35 PM

richlandswol is a career counselor. Listen to her. She has good advice

12/6/2005 6:58:19 PM

Quote :

"Don't put down references. If they want some, they will ask."

And if they ask....then you're screwed

12/6/2005 7:07:25 PM

i don't understand why ppl take typical highschool / college jobs instead of getting a worthwhile job that usually pays more

12/6/2005 7:10:32 PM

I didn't include a list of references when I submitted by resume and cover letter. I was called a few days later for a phone interview and a week later went in for an interview with HR and the people of the group I'm working in. When I went in for the interview I brought my references, gave me a slight bonus - when HR asked me to send references via email I already had a copy on hand.

I received a lot of compliments on the content and layout of my resume, and for just including a cover letter (this came from my co-workers). Anyway, I got my job.

I'd say it goes both ways to include references with the resume or at a later time. Unless a listing asks for them immediately, I'd just wait and submit references when asked. And no need to write that on your resume.

12/6/2005 9:10:00 PM

im fucking with mine now

QUESTION

"Objective" or "Professional Summary"

2/11/2006 6:10:00 PM

I would think that would apply to how you have written it if you already have something down. To me, objective applies to your current goals and what you are looking for in the particular job you are seeking. Professional Summary is a collection of your skills that describe your experience toward you experience. So if you are fresh out of college I think Objective would be more relevant for you. If you are pursuing another job that relates to your current career, professional summary might be a little more fitting.

I guess other people can see those two as interchangeable though.

2/11/2006 7:02:40 PM

^^objective. thats what i always used and it challenges you to state a goal

[Edited on February 11, 2006 at 7:13 PM. Reason : .]

2/11/2006 7:12:47 PM

clipart is your friend when it comes to resumes.

2/11/2006 8:02:54 PM

bigTHEW, I echo your response. Summaries are more effective for an experienced job seeker to highlight key skills are especially good for career changers... but for most new grads, I would definitely recommend a simple, focused objective.

2/11/2006 8:39:01 PM

Quote :

"Don't put down references. If they want some, they will ask."

2/11/2006 8:46:43 PM

Quote :

"Professional Summary is a collection of your skills that describe your experience toward you experiencecareer."

At least no one didn't bust me for this dumbass sentence so i will bust my self

[Edited on February 11, 2006 at 9:08 PM. Reason : .]

2/11/2006 9:08:02 PM

Quote :

"i don't understand why ppl take typical highschool / college jobs instead of getting a worthwhile job that usually pays more"

Each is an individual case. I can definitely say in my case there was no way I could sanely work 20 hours a week at a company in RTP. I prefered my laid back night job that paid for food. Also, it I personally say it depends on what you want to do / where you want to go with that job. My first job, I ended up a supervisor as soon as I turned 18. Gave me two good years of experience of working with people. My second job ... meh, I was content just being a worker.

Back to topic, most of my resume submissions I went through were online, I just gave them what they asked for. If they wanted a cover letter, I took the 5-10 minutes to look up some stuff about the company, and fill in the blanks on my cover letter template. If in person, resume only. If mailing in or emailing, I sent all three as separate documents.

[Edited on February 11, 2006 at 9:51 PM. Reason : OMFG spellcheck!!1]

2/11/2006 9:50:31 PM

The last thing you should do is put a generic objective in your resume. Since entry level stuff is typically casting out a net, state your objective relavent to each position you are applying for in your cover letter.

2/13/2006 7:52:59 AM

i love reading the lines people come up with after "food lion 2 years"

2/13/2006 8:28:15 AM

yeah i just dropped my year and a half of eckerd drug work and talked more about my senior design projected.

2/13/2006 9:41:35 AM

I'm an HR major in the College of Management and it is common practice for most hiring managers to ask for references later in the hiring process. Generally you do not need an objective either as the hiring manager understands that you're objective is to secure the position that you're seeking employment in. I provide only a cover letter if requested and my resume that's pretty much all you need. Later in the process after your interviews they may check your references and run your background.. those two tasks are usually reserved for just before you offer someone a position.

2/14/2006 2:58:03 PM

LIE LIE LIE.

2/14/2006 2:58:59 PM

Quote :

"cover letter template"

Perlith could you send me a copy of that?

2/14/2006 4:31:11 PM

okay, question...i'm going in tomorrow for my first interview ever. it's for an internship, and i will definitely have resume on hand...but, from looking at some comments in this thread, i'm not sure if i should bring a cover letter with me, or if the interview basically covers this?

2/14/2006 4:41:44 PM

you don't need a cover letter if you're going in for an interview.

2/14/2006 5:26:18 PM

^
Right, but getting to the interview requires a cover letter.

The template I took about 1/3 from monster.com and hacked and slashed the rest to fit my style/accomplishments. If you want, send me your email in a PM. I wouldn't recommend going off of mine though. Get somebody to look over it ... trust me. My first attempt at a cover letter was horrible ... the new one got more call backs but still needs massive improvement.

[Edited on February 14, 2006 at 5:37 PM. Reason : .]

2/14/2006 5:35:12 PM

Quote :

"getting to the interview requires a cover letter"

not this one..the COT has companies come in and interview students for internships jobs etc....whoever is interested in applying gets to sign up for an interview spot

2/14/2006 5:46:34 PM

yeah, that's why i'm a bit unsure of what to do about the cover letter/resume/interview thing.

2/14/2006 6:09:10 PM

bump. any more advice about ^?

2/15/2006 2:59:38 AM

^if you already have an interview, likely you already submitted a resume and were chosen. i wouldnt worry about a cover letter at this point. cover letters are generally something ive seen that were optional, but i always submit one.

cover letters are a good way for hiring managers to see a writing sample as well as explain in more detail your skills/enthusiasm. i would look into learning how to write these for future applications to job postings to help get an interview and recommend going to the career center to get them critiqued.

http://www.ncsu.edu/career/guide/resumes/letters/

[Edited on February 15, 2006 at 6:53 AM. Reason : .]

2/15/2006 6:47:03 AM

well, that's what me and Sugarush4u were talking about. at the College of Textiles, some companies put up interview interest sheets, and you just sign up w/your name and email. so this is the first formal interaction between you and the company...

ah, thanks for that link. i guess i'll go by their suggestion then.

2/15/2006 6:57:51 AM

sound like cover letters are kind of irrelevant for the college of textiles then. i would still learn more about them, i dont think most companies just have sign up sheets once you get out of college.

2/15/2006 8:22:43 AM