Re: [tlug] [OT] Good IT Resume

["Stephen J. Turnbull" <stephen@example.com>]

Keith Bawden writes:

 > This seems to be a catch 22. we need to put keywords in so an
 > automated tool can then match said keywords with a job description.
 > However if we use too much technical jargon (which is likely to be the
 > bulk of the keywords) we will confuse some poor sap who has a resume
 > flagged for his attention.

No, you're missing the point.  "Nontechnical" means that these guys
(not to mention gals and automatic parsers) on the front line do not
know that somebody with beaucoup "SQL" experience can work with
"Oracle".  "Keywords" means that they *do* know that "SQL" is worth 3
points, and "Oracle" is worth 10 points.

So if the job description says "minimum 10 years' experience with
Oracle databases" under "Misc. Skills" you put a bullet "Oracle DB".
Then when wiseguy interviewer Josh asks you what you know about
Oracle, you say "I read O'Reilly's _Oracle Databases in a Nutshell_ on
the train coming here.  I plan to write first drafts in generic SQL,
then optimize using the Oracle features as bottlenecks or concurrency
issues are identified."  (Don't lie.  If you need to read more than
three Nutshell books, you probably should read at least two the night
before. :-)

Either you'll get the job based on chutzpah and general coolness, or
you didn't have a chance in the first place: nothing to lose.

Once again, I have to recommend "What Color Is Your Parachute?"  Any
book that has gone through annual editions since 1979 has to be pretty
good.