TexasCHLforum.com

So is anyone on here employed by Christian Bros in Friendswood??
I went by there today to drop off a resume and app. i was told i would get along great with one of the guys there as he is a firearms nut.
(I put my hobbies on my resume)

Anyway just thought I would ask.

I do know that they have a good reputation.

I heard that too

you put it on your application?

Maybe that's why people aren't calling you back!!

i was told by people that are suposed to be smart to list hobbies
i didnt put that i have a chl just that i shoot guns for fun as well as play music and like history

When I review resumes I don't really care to see hobbies. Now during an interview I may ask what the individual does for fun when they're not working, but it's really an effort to learn more about their social skills.

However, I think as a general rule there may be certain hobbies that you shouldn't put in a resume, unless you're a world champion at them. This includes hobbies such as skydiving, motorcycle roadracing, guns, Muay Thai, etc. While most employers may claim they want risk takers, they don't want danger.

Now don't let me project the wrong idea, I find participation in risk sports positive for fitting into corporate culture at my company, but we're a startup.

iratollah wrote:When I review resumes I don't really care to see hobbies. Now during an interview I may ask what the individual does for fun when they're not working, but it's really an effort to learn more about their social skills.

However, I think as a general rule there may be certain hobbies that you shouldn't put in a resume, unless you're a world champion at them. This includes hobbies such as skydiving, motorcycle roadracing, guns, Muay Thai, etc. While most employers may claim they want risk takers, they don't want danger.

Now don't let me project the wrong idea, I find participation in risk sports positive for fitting into corporate culture at my company, but we're a startup.

i just fix cars
i dont presume to know the best things to put on a resume or how to land the job
i have had some instruction from people who im told are the best do i need to take that part out of my resume


my resume is as follows

James T. Vinson


I am 21 years of age born 08-14-1986. I am currently unmarried. One of my hobbies is music. I play guitar bass guitar drums and piano. In addition to music I enjoy all things firearm related hunting, marksmanship trap and skeet etc. etc. I also have an interest in hot rods and motor sports minus nascar. I try to stay up to date as much as I can with the information technology world as well. And last but not least I am always learning about history specifically WWII and Vietnam.


Since graduating from UTI Houston I have had a number of jobs
First was Young's truck center. This was a class 7 & 8 shop. I was hired and the management was aware I did not have years of on the job experience and I was hired anyway. I was then let go for not being able to perform as well as seasoned techs who have been in the industry 10-20 years

Next came car quik witch was on a temporary basis only

Moving on to All American Chevrolet where I was mentored by some of the finest professionals I have known unfortunately at the time I was unable to be financially independent enough to move on my own and was forced to quit when my family moved to Missouri.

SRC automotive I was let go on my 90th day on the job.

Adams Automotive was experiencing hard times and let me go.


JAMES T. VINSON
281-***-****


SUMMARY: I am a highly motivated individual with a proven ability to learn quickly, create, implement, and maintain procedures both old and new in any environment. I further possess the ability to meet heavy work assignments and deadlines under strict time constraints. In addition to my strong commitment and desire to succeed in every assigned task, I am able to work independently or as a team, with a unique ability to communicate effectively on all levels.

EDUCATION

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) – Houston, TX Diploma Automotive/Diesel/Industrial Technology Graduated October 6, 2006 GPA 3.71
state inspector





Emphasis

• Automotive Engines & Repair • Climate Control • Truck Power Trains
• Power & Performance IA • Automatic Transmissions • Electronic Technology
• Power & Performance IB • Electronic Diagnostics • Professional Applications
• Power & Performance II • Truck Brakes & Chassis • Advanced Diagnostic Systems
• Fuel & Ignition Systems • Diesel Engines • Truck Preventive Maintenance
• Drivability & Emissions • Diesel Fuel Systems • Automotive Under Car
• Automotive Power Trains • Diesel Engine Accessories • Professional Service Writing
• Brakes • Electronic Fundamentals


Central High School – San Angelo, TX Diploma: General Studies Graduated: May 2005


AWARDS
UTI Director's Honor List



EMPLOYMENT:

08/04 – 07/05 Century Trailer Warehouse associate San Angelo, TX
• Loaded and unloaded freight from inbound trailers
• Operated forklift to facilitate freight organization and shipment
• Maintained warehouse inventory
• Stocked freight according to company procedures

12/06-01/07
Young's Truck Center
trouble shooting electrical and all kinds of repairs on class 6, 7, and 8 trucks as well as preventative maintenance

01/07-02/07
Car Quik
oil changes
brake jobs
coolant flushes
transmission flushes
other preventative maintenance


02/07-03/07
All American Chevrolet Lithia Automotive group
oil changes
brake jobs
coolant flushes
trans flushes
P.D.I
Program modules
Dash work
other preventative maintenance

05/07-08/07
SRC Automotive hot tester. tested engines post production and cleared for shipping
REFERENCES

02/08-05/08
Adams Automotive general automotive service and state inspections

I'm not in your industry nor am I an HR consultant. Now that you know my qualifications for commenting on your resume, dude, you need to trash your cover letter. Please do not send out another resume with that particular cover letter.

Perhaps someone else on the board has more experience with resume writing and can offer suggestions. Cover letter does not need to be a summary of your work history, that's in your resume. IMHO, your cover letter highlights the negative and no one has gotten past that to read your resume. Cover letter should only be an attention getter to get your resume read. Your resume doesn't need to highlight your reasons for leaving, but rather emphasize your accomplishments. Get the interview and then deal with your reasons for leaving. You may want to find a more positive way to explain those circumstances.

My $0.02.

The first thing I would suggest would be to drop the entire lead-in narrative.

Avoid mention of being let go but have a good answer ready when you're asked during the interview.

Chronological may be simplest and keep everything on one page.

Just my suggestions.

Go to the business section of your local bookstore and look for a good book on resume writing and interviewing skills.

ok...............

uh, Jimbo, you might wanna take yer phone number off of the WWW. you know, so all of gawd and creation are prank dialing your phone. not to mention those new companies that send you random text messages/advertisements.

just a thought.

yeah good thought

I'll throw in a couple ideas, too. I learned a few lessons about resume writing "Way back when" and I think you'll find them helpful, too:

1) Grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes are absolutely unforgivable. Your resume should be 100% spotless. Read it yourself 3 times, then get everyone you know to also read it, and then make corrections as needed.

2) Never use the words "me" or "I", etc. Leave them off. So, "I worked at XYZ Corp for 2 years" becomes "Worked at XYZ for 2 years".

3) Short is better. Use lots of white space and make it easily skimmed.

Consider writing your cover letter in third person. So, every time you use the word I, use the word James. Or, don't use a cover letter at all (I never did and I have had plenty of jobs interviews and jobs). The first paragraph of your resume would suffice as a cover.

Definitely leave off firearms, and don't mention it in the interview, either, unless you are confident that the interviewer is also a gun nut. :-)

Lastly, check this page out:

http://web.mit.edu/career/www/guide/resumes.html

I hope these help you! Repost your resume when you've reworked it, so we can have a chance to offer help!

did you find errors in my resume i have removed the cover letter and gone back to the original resume that was created by the UTI staff