attention business owners!!! what do you look for in a resume'

[ragincajun]

OK, so I will be done with school in the middle of May and need to find a job! I will be graduating from the heavy equipment operating program at the UM-COT so I am hoping to snag a job running equipment on a road crew or an excavating company. My only problem is writing a resume'. I do not have a huge list of skills nor have I had a ton of jobs. What can I do to make myself stand out from others on paper and at an interview? What do you as business owners look for in a resume and a job interview? The jobs I have had in the past 4 years didn’t require me to write one because it was one of those "hey do you need help on the ranch or in the shop for the summer" type deals. I took a class that should have went over these type of things but the teacher never elaborated on the whole resume' writing deal. I wish she would have! If any of you guys have any tips or pointers I would really appreciate it if you shared them with me! I NEED MONEY LOL!
Thanks in advance!
cajun

 

[woodzy]

Not too long of a resume, but not too short. Usually people try to have all their info on one page, with a second page having your references.
Be confident in the interview. Start with a good firm handshake and look the person in the eye when shaking. Go in with the mindset that you are the man for that job and believe it.
Research the company ahead of time. They like for you to ask questions about their company to show you really are interested in the job.

 

[x-guy]

-Focus on your best work experience and or education/training, I don't like to read about peoples education all the way back to elementary, I would much rather have more information on the important skills that I would need, rather than an entire history of work/school since you were 13, its a time saver for me when looking at one.

-Make it clean and easy to read, not to much information crowded into it, but also not empty, its a benefit for it to be easy to read in its layout and such, grammar, spelling is important for my line of work, so I also watch for that, in my opinion someone who does not take 5 min to spell check a resume to land a job, will probly also not take that 5 extra minutes to finish up what they were working on for a dealine for example.

-How it is presented can also sometimes tell something about a person, sometimes (more often than not) a sloppy resume means a sloppy person, where as a neat and thought out presentation may be telling of a more punctual person that cares more about himself and therefore possibly his job, its a sign of doing things, but doing things right too, no half assed efforts.

-Write the resume for the job you are applying to, taking the time to look into the company, why you think you would fit in well, it will impress them, rather than a blanket email for alot of jobs, it kinda shows them you singled them out, and want to work there rather than are just applying for a job.

I hope some of this helps, again this is just me, and some of the thoughts I have when looking over resumes, I am sure other people look for entirely different things to pick up on.

 

[snowmobiler]

boobs

 

[ragincajun]

-Focus on your best work experience and or education/training, I don't like to read about peoples education all the way back to elementary, I would much rather have more information on the important skills that I would need, rather than an entire history of work/school since you were 13, its a time saver for me when looking at one.

-Make it clean and easy to read, not to much information crowded into it, but also not empty, its a benefit for it to be easy to read in its layout and such, grammar, spelling is important for my line of work, so I also watch for that, in my opinion someone who does not take 5 min to spell check a resume to land a job, will probly also not take that 5 extra minutes to finish up what they were working on for a dealine for example.

-How it is presented can also sometimes tell something about a person, sometimes (more often than not) a sloppy resume means a sloppy person, where as a neat and thought out presentation may be telling of a more punctual person that cares more about himself and therefore possibly his job, its a sign of doing things, but doing things right too, no half assed efforts.

-Write the resume for the job you are applying to, taking the time to look into the company, why you think you would fit in well, it will impress them, rather than a blanket email for alot of jobs, it kinda shows them you singled them out, and want to work there rather than are just applying for a job.

I hope some of this helps, again this is just me, and some of the thoughts I have when looking over resumes, I am sure other people look for entirely different things to pick up on.

thanks alot! that helps a lot!

 

[ragincajun]

Not too long of a resume, but not too short. Usually people try to have all their info on one page, with a second page having your references.
Be confident in the interview. Start with a good firm handshake and look the person in the eye when shaking. Go in with the mindset that you are the man for that job and believe it.
Research the company ahead of time. They like for you to ask questions about their company to show you really are interested in the job.

thanks for the help!

 

[ragincajun]

boobs

well im kinda lacking in that dept. so i guess im kinda screwed!

 

[buck50]

well im kinda lacking in that dept. so i guess im kinda screwed!

take a pair with ya!!!!!!!!!!!!! couldn't hurt really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Blu Du]

tell them you like to run a #2 and your good at it too. i wouldn't expect to get a job running equipment in this economy with out prior expeirence. but altough highway crews may be busy with all the govt money being handed out

 

[Wolfrun]

Never mind the resume. Find the machine you can run pretty well and ask the foreman to let you try out on it for a while and if he likes it fine and if he doesn't he doesn't owe you a thing. When you walk up to it, if it is not running, walk around and look it over, then check the oil. hydraulic and the radiator, let it warm up and go to work. He won't let you get in trouble. If he doesn't like it he will take you off it in the first five minutes. In the first few minutes he will know whether you will be able to work into the job he wants you to do. I wish I had a nickel for every time I tried out for a new boss like that. 50 some years worth.

 

[Zachcreek]

boobs

Big Boobs, no brains, gets discounts at the liquor store.

 

[coyoteman]

screw the resume, if you can run the equipment you'll have a job.

 

[ragincajun]

experience....thats the biggest issue....people want someone who has experience.thats why i took the heo program. it may not be on the job learning (some of it is) but it gets me one step closer than if i just got out of highschool. i dont have much experience but i learn fast and am willing to learn and work hard. my biggest problem is getting them to give me a chance so a good resume and interview will get me a step closer.

 

[CuzzinOlaf]

Not too long of a resume, but not too short. Usually people try to have all their info on one page, with a second page having your references.
Be confident in the interview. Start with a good firm handshake and look the person in the eye when shaking. Go in with the mindset that you are the man for that job and believe it.
Research the company ahead of time. They like for you to ask questions about their company to show you really are interested in the job.

Perfect response.

I would just put a blurb that says references given upon request. Most of the time these are people that YOU know will say only good things about you.

Since you're just out of school try to push the fact your a quick learner, work well under pressure, and that you're motivated to succeed and advance.

Most people do an objective on their resume. Try doing a summary instead. Talk about all your good points there. Almost everyone has the same objective and in this market they probably all say the same thing.

Good luck.

 

[One]

Cajun how much experience do you have on heavy equipment? I'm in the same boat, except no equipment program here. Would a company just laugh at 500ish hours during the past 2 summers or...?

 

[revpilot]

Being versatile will be your best asset these days if you're hiring on with an excavation company. Owners are having to enlarge their bag of tricks and take on lots of little jobs to survive the downturn. Operators are easy to find and cheap to keep but ones that can and will run anything they're asked to are rare.
Expect to be the grade checker negro of some grumpy old blade-hand or pipe setter under the crotchity excavater operator. Be patient, get along with others, some day you'll get a chance to backfill, load trucks, screen topsoil, fill in on Saturdays for the mainstay guys that don't want over 40 and eventually work your way up. If someone on here hired you they would look up your posts to see if you're a dipstick or not. Show up early, don't try to wow anyone with your abilities, just your good attitude.

PS If you're young trying to make a statement with piercings and tatoos, don't! Guys that look like they fell face first into a tackle box get passed over quickly in the construction trade these days. Image matters.

 

[ragincajun]

Cajun how much experience do you have on heavy equipment? I'm in the same boat, except no equipment program here. Would a company just laugh at 500ish hours during the past 2 summers or...?

i have ran forklifts and loaders since i was 14 and the last 2 summers i worked on a ranch 3 months during summer running tractors bailing and hauling hay and for 2 of those summer months were 14 hr days 7 days a week. the heo program got me some hours in too but not enough as i would have liked. at the begenning of the year we were learning how to run the equipment service it and all that no-brainer stuff that i already know all fall. this spring was been full of projects that we have been doing for the city of missoula so i have been getting some experience digging foundation footings for the last week and we have a couple more projects ot do before summer so thats some more on the job training there

 

[ragincajun]

Being versatile will be your best asset these days if you're hiring on with an excavation company. Owners are having to enlarge their bag of tricks and take on lots of little jobs to survive the downturn. Operators are easy to find and cheap to keep but ones that can and will run anything they're asked to are rare.
Expect to be the grade checker negro of some grumpy old blade-hand or pipe setter under the crotchity excavater operator. Be patient, get along with others, some day you'll get a chance to backfill, load trucks, screen topsoil, fill in on Saturdays for the mainstay guys that don't want over 40 and eventually work your way up. If someone on here hired you they would look up your posts to see if you're a dipstick or not. Show up early, don't try to wow anyone with your abilities, just your good attitude.

PS If you're young trying to make a statement with piercings and tatoos, don't! Guys that look like they fell face first into a tackle box get passed over quickly in the construction trade these days. Image matters.

i have ran alot of peices of equipment at school but i do not have too much time on them but if you tell me to get on it and do something i will do it to the best of my abilities. i dont expect to be put on a piece of equipment right away. i am fine with the grunt work and have no problem running a no. 2 all day.
ps. no tattoos or piercings! i hate needles! lol

 

[swampwater]

i have ran alot of peices of equipment at school but i do not have too much time on them but if you tell me to get on it and do something i will do it to the best of my abilities. i dont expect to be put on a piece of equipment right away. i am fine with the grunt work and have no problem running a no. 2 all day.

ps. no tattoos or piercings! i hate needles! lol ​

That says it all, you should not have a problem getting into the field Swampy

 

[EricW]

Never put much weight on résumé’s as an employer. They are all fabricated BS for the most part. Use the info others have listed and keep in mind that all you need it for is to get a minute with the boss where your real self sell will happen. In your interview you might consider the following:
1. SAFETY - Stress how much emphasis you put on job site safety. Quote some of the safety issues and concerns that were identified and addressed in your schooling. Tell the employer that you are very interested in all aspects of safety compliance and would someday like to be a safety officer. Give me an address and I'll send you a few copies of "Safety Meeting Outlines" which are a pre-packed safety meeting that I get weekly. They cover great topics, have spaces for all attendees, comments, corrections, and many other issues. these forms are signed by all present and kept in the file to show that the topic was covered in the event of an accident. Use the document as an example to the boss of the type of proactive approach you bring to the company.

2. Liability - Let the boss know that you take his liability exposure very seriously as a potential employee. This means everything from driving the company truck to environmental spills and sexual harassment. Emphasize the fact that you are a mature worker looking for longevity and stability in employment and not a half cocked cowboy punching the time clock on his job site waiting for Friday night.

3. Maintenance/Ownership – Let the boss know that if he trusts you with a piece of equipment or a tool that you treat that equipment like it is your own and that you feel its condition and maintenance is a direct reflection of your character and abilities. (now don’t use this one if your pickup is filthy, looks like chit, and has 6” of sunflower seeds on the floorboards). I have on several occasions looked into a guys rig and or visited his home after an interview to see if he really walks the talk. If you do walk the talk, invite the boss to come over sometime to see just how you keep up your personal possessions. Ask the boss if he draws oil samples and at what intervals. Ask him if operators keep a daily operating/maint. log and if they are responsible for their own maint/lube etc. These questions will assure him that you are aware of the importance of good maint. and that you take it seriously.

4. Physical Condition – Let the boss know that you take your physical condition seriously. Let him know that you don’t have any past injuries (if this is the case) and that you work out and keep physically active. Let him know that you are not a stay at home with a runny nose kinda guy. I had a guy tell me once “I may be bleeding, but if I’m scheduled to work for you I will be here ready to go by 6am”. I also had an employee offer a no risk trial of his abilities. He offered to work for me for 1 day for free to show me his stuff. If I liked him great, if I didn’t he would shake my hand and walk away. He just retired and man do I miss him.

5. Management – Even though you’re new, let the boss know that you are willing to learn and accept any type of management that might help out with the project. Let him know that if he gets busy that you would be willing to schedule fuel and stay behind to sign for it. Tell him you would be glad to compile a list of replacement part numbers for things like belts, hoses, filters, lines, etc and a list of parts/service suppliers to call on to keep things running in his absence.

Focus on other strengths and qualities that you bring to the job that might give you the nod over the more experienced guy. Let the boss know that unlike most equipment operators, you know how to run equipment, but how you operate it will be at his discretion. Let him know that you have ability, but the experience you get will be based on his vision of how his equipment should be operated and not on how other equipment was run on differnt job sites by the other applicants. Hope that makes sense. Let me know if you want some copies of the safety meeting outlines. Good luck man. EW