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09/25/2001 Archived Entry: "25-Sept-2001 -- WebWord Comment"

WebWord Comment -- I have seen a lot of resumes online. To be totally frank, most of them really suck. They are dull and lifeless. Most are terrible. So, let's create a list of the best online resumes. If you have a resume online, and you think it is pretty good, please post a link to it here. Don't post the full text, just post the link to it. Also, if you have seen any good online resumes, feel free to post links to those too. If we create a collection of really great resumes, it will serve as a reference for all of us. Please get involved!

Replies: 14 comments

Great topic! I'm too cowardly to post my own lame online resume, but I can't help saying that some of these resumes have significant problems.

The http://www.re-source.com site looks very cool, but I can't navigate without a lot of guessing. The section headers need to be meaningful and separate (about me/resume, portfolio, etc).

Deviousbi and fsbrainstorm use size 1, low contrast text. Most non-designers have cheapo monitors and bad eyes, and they won't want to strain to read your resume off the screen.

I do really like the non-traditional resume idea though.

Hope this feedback is constructive.

Posted by Joshua Ledwell @ 09/26/2001 05:04 PM EST

tried to make mine really understandable (at least as far as navigation is concerned):

http://www.re-source.com

Posted by Tilman @ 09/26/2001 04:07 PM EST

Here's mine: deviousbi.com/resume/

it's a first attempt at translating the resume to an online format and incorporating a portfolio. Comments, welcomed, to be sure.

Posted by David @ 09/26/2001 03:35 PM EST

It's out of date (but aren't they all) and doesn't include my current position. But the format's pretty good and gets the interviews.

http://www.kalsey.com/resume/

Posted by Adam Kalsey @ 09/26/2001 03:02 PM EST

Here's one I found several months ago - if I were looking for a certain sort of designer, I'd hire the guy.

http://people.mn.mediaone.net/gonzoz/

Posted by Ben Scofield @ 09/26/2001 12:55 PM EST

Here's my online resume: http://www.aphids.com/stan/resume.php. Comments welcome.

Posted by Stan Taylor @ 09/26/2001 12:13 PM EST

Resumes are good and fine, but I it's great to see a broader context of what someone's done.

check our Elan's career section on his site:
http://www.elan.org/career/

It lists both a traditional and a "non-traditional" resume. Each entry in the non-traditional resume lists "What they called me, where, when & my informal roles", "Project Goals", "What I did", and "What I learned". I get such a richer picture of what Elan did and gained at each previous job, and there's also the standard version for those who just want the facts.

Other sections of his Career page, such as "Books I Found Useful", "Training and Conferences", and "Commonly Asked Questions" give additional background information and serve to present Elan as a well-thought individual. We are engaged in user experience design, after all. A nice setup, I must say.

Posted by Chad Thornton @ 09/26/2001 11:04 AM EST

While I don't have a specific résumé on the Web for you, I did write an article for Evolt.org called "Top 10 Résumé dos and don'ts". You might be interested in reading it.

I'd just like to point out that:

1) a résumé is only a tool to get you to an interview

2) A résumé must always be tailored towards a specific job at a specific company. Trying to be everything to everyone is bad strategy in marketing, and it's no different when you're marketing yourself.

A good book I reviewed for a magazine a long time ago is Joyce Lain Kennedy's Resumes for dummies. It's not breezy like some "... for Dummies" books are.

Another good book on my bookshelf is Harvey Mackay's Sharkproof : Get the Job You Want, Keep the Job You Love... in Today's Frenzied Job Market but sadly it's now out of print.

If you want specific help on your resume, mail me at webguru@vsnl.net (no charge ;). I've helped lots of people create impressive resumes. No, that's not what I do for a living. If I can help out a few people, I'd be glad to do it. :)

Posted by Madhu Menon @ 09/26/2001 10:16 AM EST

Melanie, thanks for the comments. I think the pop-up idea is brilliant... or maybe I'm just a moron :).

Posted by Francis @ 09/26/2001 09:42 AM EST

While not elaborate, I think this is an example of a clean, clear online resume. Access links at the head of each section and pop-up windows for individual job details reduce the impact of increased content.

Posted by Melanie Johnson @ 09/26/2001 09:30 AM EST

Here's my resume:

http://pages.infinit.net/fsb/resume.htm

Feel free to comment.

Posted by Francis @ 09/26/2001 09:25 AM EST

Actually, Matt Jones's CV (link below) gives me the creeps. I can't realize why anyone decides to make EVERY LINE look like a link? Or is it just NS 4.7? A page should look alright in all major browsers anyway, so it's no excuse.

Posted by Oscar Abrahamsson @ 09/26/2001 03:24 AM EST

Here is another one...

Matt Jones (Black Belt Jones)
http://www.blackbeltjones.com/cv/index.html

Posted by John S. Rhodes @ 09/26/2001 12:35 AM EST

I'll get things started...

Cameron's resume is pretty good. It is a bit on the light side. I'm surprised he doesn't have more things listed. In any event, I like it.

http://www.camworld.com/who/resume/

Posted by John S. Rhodes @ 09/26/2001 12:22 AM EST

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