[Serious] Making a Perfect Resume [Just heard from Intel... Bad news]

So I basically have the chance of a lifetime in front of me. Intel came to my school a couple days ago and made a presentation about their internship program (only available at local Intel locations). Basically anyone who is accepted works for them as an (paid) intern between now and when they graduate college. You even get to work in areas related to whatever your major is in college (computer science for me).

Anyway, the application requires a few things including a resume. I was wondering if anyone could help me out at making the perfect resume. Maybe someone who has been involved in the hiring process at their work. I can throw together a decent one I'm sure, but I need this resume to be the best. I need to do everything in my power to make my application look perfect.

I'm not sure if they are looking for a job-type resume or a high school student-type resume. Does anyone know of any good websites to help with resume making?

Also, if you have any other suggestions for making the application look awesome and stand out let me know. Here are the required parts:
-Application form (provided in packet)
-Cover letter
-Transcripts (High school)
-Personal Resume
-Completed Questionnaire

1. Why are you interested in the Intel Internship Program?
2. What are you long-term career goals?
3. When and how did you decide on this career?
4. An engineering degree requires a lot of commitment, time and focus. How do you know that you will complete this degree?
5. Please give some examples of other degrees you have considered, and why you've chosen engineering.

-Letters of Recommendation (2 to 3)
-College Acceptance Letter(s)

Any ideas on how to make on of that look awesome. I am going to do it all on resume paper and a matching envelope. Should I call them and email them so they know my name?

One thing they stressed really big is that this program is made to get people to work for Intel after they graduate college.

Any help would be appreciated.

EDIT: They accept 10 people and only 60-80 people apply. I think I have a really good chance.

I made what I thought was a good resume/CV myself, but part of the redundancy package I got when I left my last job included a few meetings with career management consultants, who made it look much better.

At the end of it I could say that my original version was ok, but the updated version honestly made me want to hire myself!


I don't know how much it would cost for you to do the same, but it worked wonders on the impact of my applications - I have been offered roles without even having an interview, unfortunately none of them have been appropriate (wrong part of the country, etc).

I borrowed a CV off a chum and inserted my own details. It worked like a charm and I got a job before him. :D He's almost certainly earning a lot more than me though so I guess it worked out ok.

My mother (yes) is trained to help people get work (even though she can't find a job currently :) ) and she has helped me write my job applications and CV's so much that I can write perfect ones by now. It's a different language but if you give me what you've got, I can certainly give you some pointers.

Sorry to be so ignorant, but what does CV stand for?

If anyone could send me their resume I would greatly appriciate it. My email is listed in my profile.

I don't have a rough draft made yet, but I will by the end of the weekend.

My mom is a graphic artist and knows how to make them look pretty good, but I am looking for all the help I can get. Also, does anyone have any ideas for the rest of the application? Like anything extra to put on the cover letter. Or anything else.

Thanks guys. :D

CV :

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [url]http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/glossary.html[/url]

Curriculum Vitae (CV): A special type of resume traditionally used within the academic community. Earned degrees, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, and related activities are featured. Unlike a resume, a CV tends to be longer and more informational than promotional in tone. Note: The CV required in theses and dissertations follows a very specific format.

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http://www.careersonline.com.au/smar...tor/index.html

This should give you an idea of the things you can add.

Thanks guys. :)

Penagate, it's kind of ironic that your link was from uoregon.edu (University of Oregon) because that is where I will be going to college next year. :)

I appritate all the help so far. Anything and everything is welcome. Has anyone seen a particularly awesome resume that stood out in their mind? Would anyone mind letting me see their resume so I can have some reference material? I'd appriciate it.

I am psychic... :D

I hear that particular university is very strict with people that don't know the difference between "ironic" and "coincidental".

They will probably flush your head down the toilet on your first day. Don't be nervous though, it's character-building :thumb:.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wossname

I hear that particular university is very strict with people that don't know the difference between "ironic" and "coincidental".

They will probably flush your head down the toilet on your first day. Don't be nervous though, it's character-building :thumb:.

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Hello :wave:

So I was considering making a small logo with my initials in photoshop. I think it would help my resume stand out and make it look more professional. I threw the image below together in a few seconds and I'm not sure if I should give it more color/flare or keep it simple and professional. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Still was wondering if anyone would be willing to email me their resume? It would help a ton.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eyeRmonkey

So I was considering making a small logo with my initials in photoshop. I think it would help my resume stand out and make it look more professional. I threw the image below together in a few seconds and I'm not sure if I should give it more color/flare or keep it simple and professional. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Still was wondering if anyone would be willing to email me their resume? It would help a ton.

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flair.

Flare is that crappy Lens Flare effect in photoshop ;)

Bill

:sigh: Any other suggestions?

Logo is over the top IMO. Keep your page simple, use black and grey or something, nothing flashy just overall classy.

Sorry mate I don't really have any suggestions for the resume content. I kind of suck with these things myself :(

I don't know. If you keep it small, say twice the size of your font. It might look good.

It's not normal for a CV, but I guess if you want to stand out amongst the hordes.

The hordes are only 60-80 people as I mentioned earlier and I bet they kick about 40 of those out right away because of simply bad applications. They pick 10 so that means I there are only 10-20 people that they have to kick out that are still qualified. I guess I still want mine to stand out against those.

I will post my resume here after I finish it. Hopefully I can get some constructive criticism that way.

I found an awesome (although poorly designed) website for help with resumes, cover letters and interviews: http://www.susanireland.com/

I finished a rough draft of my resume. I attached it and would appriciate and and all feedback. Please remember that I'm only in high school and don't have any amazing things to put in there. I tried to relate everything to the internship I am applying to at Intel. Please take a second to download it and let me know what you think.

Come on guys. I could really use some feedback. 3 people have downloaded the resume so far. Any suggestions? At all?

Sorry about the delay - I was away for a while.

The format in terms of headings etc is good (similar to mine), but I think that you should have Education above Work Experience (I'm assuming that it was a short-term thing, with skills that weren't particularly relevant for this).


In terms of each section:

• I think the Objective section should be expanded on a bit, to explain more explicitly (if you can) what it is that you are aiming for.
• Within the Work Experience section, I would think that order of the lines should be swapped (the second sounds more impressive).
• In the "Volunteer" section I think a bit of expansion would be good - such as number of hours per week maybe. Also, do you answer questions on VBF? (which is also voluntary ;))
• In Skills/VB I think that "Team-player" should be "Team-member". I'm not sure that self-taught sounds right (even tho I know it shows you are keen), but I don't know how you could word it.
• In Skills/HTML it may be a good idea to list one or more of the sites you have developed - assuming you are proud of them!

Overall tho, I would be surprised if they threw it out - what you've already got looks good. :thumb:

Just a bit of formatting and some rearrangement...

Thanks a TON for the feedback guys! I really appriciate it.

I removed the "Objective" section completely because I have already stated that in the essay and cover letter.

Should I make the dates in italics?

If I rejected anyones suggestions and you can make an argument why I should change something let me know (for example I kept AP Calc tutouring under its own section instead of putting it under Work Experience like zaza suggested).

Should I be proud of this website: www.jortal.tk ?? It is the only one I have made that is online. It doesn't look awesome (lacking graphics for the most part) and I'm not sure if I should list it or not. Should I put http:// infront of it if I do list it in my resume?

Please check out the new copy if you have a moment. I redid a lot of things (formatting and content).

I think I will also post my cover letter and essay her later tonight. I would appriciate any feedback on those also.

Here is the near-final-draft of my cover letter that will accompany the resume. If anyone has even a small suggestion for it please let me know. I need everything to be perfect for this application.

I'd leave the dates off your Skills section. Nobody needs to know how long you've been programming in this resume.


Regarding the cover letter, some first thoughts:

It's "perfect", not "prefect".

You intend "to major in", not "on majoring in".

Ctrl-A, Ctrl-J.


zaza

Looking good. :)

I agree with zaza, except for the dates - I think you could leave them in.

Add a blank line before the "At the University" paragraph, to make it and the list before stand out more.

I would probably list the Enclosures (in a smaller font), rather than just saying how many there are.

Your web site looks good, even tho it is out of date (but don't worry about updating it). The lack of graphics is a good thing from their point of view - you focused on what matters, just like getting a program working rather than focusing on "skinning the form". ;) I would put "(such as http://www.jortal.tk)" just to be complete.

Thanks a ton guys. You have no idea how much I appriciate all your help. Thanks for pointing out "prefect" zaza. I have showed this to 3 English teachers and numers other teachers and students and no one has caught that.

Should I "Ctrl+J" (full allign?) the essay as well?

I am going to be finalizing everything monday afternoon and I will probably post copies here even though you won't be able to make suggestions until after I have already sent things in.

Luckily, one of the teachers at my school is marries to someone who works at Intel and she has helped students with this application in the past. She knows exactly what answers they are looking for. That helped a lot. :)

Thanks agian.

I've just got my job and had a long time writing my CV with the help of woss who was helped by mendhak.

I dont know if i'm correct here but I was struggling to keep mine under 2 pages. (which is the max) i went through my abilities in programming and OS's and other useful programs. College and high school results interests objectives etc.

I know quality matters more maybe you could expand ona few sections!

Hope it helps and good luck!

ps - shall i move this to general developer forum?

I'd rather it stay in chit-chat, but it's up to you. :)

I would expand on the resume more, but like I said, I'm only in high school and don't have that many accomplishments under my belt.

I have done a lot of research about what makes a good resume and everything I see says that it should only have things related to that job. There are other things that I could add to it, but they are too minor or don't fit the position I am applying for enough.

I made a lot of changes to all of the documents. I am going to be mailing them tomorrow after I get home from school. I am going to have all the teachers read them again and make final corrections, but I would like your guys' input as well.

I always put skills put the headings in this order:

Job Specific Skills and Interests <-- modify it depending on thep osition you are applying for
Employment History
Voluntary Work
Education

And in the skillz bit, put things which you have got certificates and qualifications in too.

I'm putting education first because I am in high school. I don't have any certificates or qualifications because I taught myself and because (once again) I am in high school. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Sorry, ignore my previous post. It was early :rolleyes:

The only comment I have is that the questionnaire could do with an extra line space just before each question, just to make them stand out more (if they want to re-check a particular answer, they can find it more easily).

Looks good so far but could use some padding. Try putting something like this at the beginning to try and spark their interest...
"Software development has always been a great interest and always keen to learn new languages or skills. Future plans include movement into a more intensive atmosphere with daily challenges and rewards"

Oh one good tip would be to print it out on the fanciest, most expensive paper you can get your hands on. When the person picks up the application it needs to grab their attention.

Good luck dude! :thumb:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by visualAd

Sorry, ignore my previous post. It was early :sick:

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I guess I can forgive you. ;) :wave:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by si_the_geek

The only comment I have is that the questionnaire could do with an extra line space just before each question, just to make them stand out more (if they want to re-check a particular answer, they can find it more easily).

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I'm not sure if that would bump it over 2 pages or not, but I'll try.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Valleysboy1978

Looks good so far but could use some padding. Try putting something like this at the beginning to try and spark their interest...
"Software development has always been a great interest and always keen to learn new languages or skills. Future plans include movement into a more intensive atmosphere with daily challenges and rewards"

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Where should I add that to? The cover letter or the questionarrire? Any specific place that I should put that too beef it up?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Valleysboy1978

Oh one good tip would be to print it out on the fanciest, most expensive paper you can get your hands on. When the person picks up the application it needs to grab their attention.

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I already have that part covered. I have nice resume paper w/ matching envelopes and matching folders (to bring to an interview). I am going to print the address on an address labels and get postage paid (where they print a "stamp" on the envelope) so I don't have to put ugly stamps on it.

Where is your objective? I think that's something close to what Valleysboy is referring to. Even if you have no experience, you should still have an objective, what you want to achieve with your employers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eyeRmonkey

Where should I add that to? The cover letter or the questionarrire? Any specific place that I should put that too beef it up?

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The first part of your resume. Hopefully this first paragraph (which is the first thing they'll read) will spark their interest enough to read the rest of the resume

They read the cover letter first and that is pretty supped up as it is. It prompts them to read my resume.

I actually didn't send it in yesterday like I wanted to because the post office closed to early. I will be sending it today after school though so I can still make any last minute corrections. I don't think I am going to add an objective to the top because my objective is already stated in the essay and cover letter. I would end up repeating myself.

If I get an interview I will probably start a new thread about that.

Thanks again for all the help guys.

Spelling mistake: in the questionnaire you use the word "compliment" which means "to praise". You want "complement", meaning "goes well with".

Hope it isn't too late...

zaza

*pulls hair out*

I already sent it out! I don't think they will notice because 2 english teachers didn't notice it. Thanks for the info though. I appriciate it. I really hope they don't notice.

Speaking of sending it out... I paid for priority mail and I got tracking on it. Both of those things led to 2 big ugly stamps on the envelope. I wanted to keep it looking clean, but now it has big stamps all over it. He also put to big stamps that say "Do Not Bend" on it. I guess it just makes it look like I care more. I hope...

Try not to worry too much about it now as it's out of your hands

:sigh:

I just got an email from the Internship director saying that I didn't get an interview. I am extremely bummed. I really wanted this internship.

I sent the director an email asking what weaknesses she saw in my application/essays and what I improvements could be made for future positions that I apply for. Basically I was asking why I was rejected.

Sorry to hear that mate. There'll be a lot more opportunities though so keep at it and you'll be successful soon enough :)

Thanks. I guess that is what I will have to do.

No, this is the time for some good and simple sulking.

Intel sucks, that lady sucks, the world sucks. :mad:

Sorry you didn't get it.

Sulking is pretty much where I am at right now. Spring break starts this weekend for me, so I am going to hang out with my friends and hope that I feel better if a few days.

I guess it sounds kind of lame that I am so sad over this, but since it was such a long term internship, it became really important to me.

I have a hope in the back of my head that when the Intel lady reads my email (asking about things I could have done better on my application), that she will tell me something like "Oh, it was because you were missing this one document, but I just found it and we would like to have you in for an interview." But I know that is just wishful thinking... *sigh*

Maybe I'll feel better in the morning.

It's a shame you weren't picked, I guess they were looking for something different because what we saw looked very good to me.

Asking what improvements you could make is the best thing you could have done - it shows that you are trying to be the best you can be, and (at best with them) may lead to them thinking of you if the interviews with other people don't go too well.


But don't dwell on it, just get out and enjoy yourself.

Go out and get steaming drunk, you'll soon feel better (at least until the next morning!) :D

Really sorry you didn't get it mat :(
Good idea to ask what you did wrong, I always did that and it shows initiative :thumb:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Valleysboy1978

Go out and get steaming drunk, you'll soon feel better (at least until the next morning!) :D

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Well considering that I am 17, that might not be such a good idea. ;)

I found at the one of the girls at my school who applied got an interview. I think it is half because she is a girl (and not many girls apply to this program) and half because she is going into a major that not many other people would be going into (chemical engineering). I am actually good friends with her, but I can't help but be jealous. I have years and years of exprience with web design and HTML and she, understandably, has no experience in her intended major. I told her congradulations, though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eyeRmonkey

I told her congradulations, though.

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Everyone else here will tell you not to worry about not getting into Intel, but I should add this... Don't say something you don't really mean.

Morph into her exact body shape, tie her up, and take her place.

ILMvans

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mendhak

Everyone else here will tell you not to worry about not getting into Intel, but I should add this... Don't say something you don't really mean.

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I really do mean it. It is a great opportunity for anyone and she is a good friend of mine. I'm glad she got it, but I am still mad that I didn't.

That makes it alright then. :D

Now look at what VisualAd said (in my sig)

Wow... That is definitely sig-worthy. :D

Nicely done. ;)

I forgot to tell you guys about the resonse I got from Intel. I asked them what I could do better on future applications (basically asking why they rejected me) and here is what they said:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Intel

Hello, Jeremy-

I'm happy to provide feedback. We read through each application, and
compare several items: quality of writing sample, commitment to
relevant major, significance of letters of recommendation, work
experience etc. Although your application package was eligible, there
were several applicants who had all of the following items:
1) Impeccable writing skills
2) Solid career plan to work within an engineering corporation as an
engineer
3) Letter of recommendation communicating their undeniable superiority
as students and citizens
4) Relevant work experience
5) 4.0 GPAs with AP, IB, or post-secondary coursework (i.e.
valedictorians, etc)

In short, it was a very competitive application pool.
I hope this helps--

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The only thing that didn't apply to me was having a 4.0 GPA (all A's - perfect grades). I have like a 3.66 or something. That kind of pisses me off, but I guess I don't have any say in it, so I will let it go.

I need to find a summer job really bad now.

I always wanted to be a caddy, it seems so romantic.