Bite of advice: Follow a concise resume format
The Suggestion Kitty says … Want to follow a resume format that most Microsoft technical recruiters would prefer? Check this out.
It’s just my opinion, and I would only advise this format if you are interested in a development, test, or program management role, but if you are finding your resume isn’t getting as much traction as you would like, try converting the content to this format. It’s very recruiter and hiring manager friendly. I promise. :)
Meow!
gretchen
10 Comments
paul said:
amazing this is exactly how mine is constructed :)
Phil Weber said:
Hi, Gretchen: In the comments for that entry, you say: "It's ok to list education at the bottom, but (and this is just me) education is the first thing I scan to, no matter how experienced someone is."
What about those of us who have scads of experience (15+ years in my case), but no college degree? Do you think omitting education from my résumé will get me ignored by recruiters?
Phil Weber said:
Hi, Gretchen: In the comments for that entry, you say: "It's ok to list education at the bottom, but (and this is just me) education is the first thing I scan to, no matter how experienced someone is."
What about those of us who have scads of experience (15+ years in my case), but no college degree? Do you think omitting education from my résumé will get me ignored by recruiters?
Nathan said:
Mine, too.
gretchen said:
Ah, good question. No, I do not think omitting education would get you ignored. Evaluating a resume is like ordering a la carte from a huge, huge menu. Recruiters and Hiring Managers look at so many different elements. Yes, education is the first thing that I look for, but if I don't see that, then I'd move on to work history ... and if I saw 15+ years of experience, that would speak very highly of your qualifications.
jeffs said:
Hi <a title="" href="http://blogs.msdn.com/jobsblog/articles/88832.aspx" >gretchen</a>;
Thanks for the great topic. I'm wondering how best to formulate a resume format that can demonstrate how lots of great experience (like dev experience, hands-on technologies, team leadership, consulting, mentoring & classroom instruction, processes & methods, and especially results!) that would indicate an excellent fit into a PM role. I guess the basic issue for me is that I find it challenging to mould a long trail of experience and good judgement into a compelling picture of opportunity for Microsoft to fit me into a given PM position. Any suggestions?
TIA
jeff
gretchen said:
That's tricky. I'd still list your resume out by job - but just make sure to include all the different responsibilities you've had. A cover letter is also a great place to explain more about these skills and how they relate to the job you want.
jeffs said:
What about internal MS referrals & references? I hear they can help, but have yet to really see it help beyond selling the recruiter. Unfortunately, I'm having difficulty selling any recruiters these days...
Cheers!
gretchen said:
Internal references are great. I wouldn't include them on your resume, but you should definitely offer them up. You'll probably be asked, too: "Is there anyone at Microsoft who can act as a reference for you?" I wouldn't say it sells the recruiter as much as it sells the Hiring Manager. That's who you are ultimately trying to impress anyhow.
jeffs said:
One last ?, probably should have gone in a different (but now closed) thread. I noticed that the resume I have on file on the MS careers page was referring to MS SQL by its language dialect "T-SQL", rather than by the "product name" ("MS SQL"). Is it kosher (or otherwise ok) to make resume tweaks and re-submit to openings previously submitted to?
Thanks!