Once more, trying again with the CV.

[swestrup]

A few weeks ago, I posted an update of my CV. I got lots of good feedback and I let it stew in my head for a while (read -- I procrastinated like crazy) and today I produced another version.

I tried to take the various comments into account, and hope this new version meets with the Intarwebs approval. Criticism is actively encouraged.

Comments

Hope you don't mind the comments

[gregorama.livejournal.com]

I won't pretend to know half the stuff you're talking about in there but just a few ideas:

The new trend in CVs these days seems to be short summaries with a cover letter tailored to the company/position you're applying for. Your intro paragraph may be better suited for a cover letter and the CV just the credentials.
From my talks with HR folk there are two key steps to ensuring you're in the first round of interviews. First is to demonstrate interest in the organization (not just that you need a job) which can be done with a well researched cover letter. Second is do you meet the required skill set which can be nailed with a concise CV. For the elaboration on these things they, and quite likely you too, will be best served by conveying this in the initial interview.

You've used some good strong verbs in most places but there are a few that could be changed to nail the buzzwords that HR people like to see. For example: "Ran the Canadian software division" could become "Managed the Canadian Software division".
You use "wrote" many times. Any synonyms available to mix it up a bit for the reader?

Seems your work experience is your strong point. I'd consider taking out a lot of the different languages you code in etc and leaving that detailed information in your Skills section. It makes your accomplishments stand out more and the skill set stands on it's own.

In the skills section be more specific about the lectures and talks you've given as "Lectured at Superior Robotic Programming Association Conference 2003" sounds more impressive and precise than "Lectured on robotic programming languages".
Overall the Skills section seems big and scary with so much detail (maybe it's just me). Could this be modified on a case by case basis depending on the position you apply for? e.g. a DBA position won't really care about your graphics skills where a web-admin position may expect them. It keeps it easy to read and relevant.

Don't take this the wrong way but I don't think your employer will give a hoot about your hobbies. They really only come into play when they're trying to assess your fit with their culture, usually during an interview. But DEFINITELY find a way to keep the co-authoring and public speaking experience. These are the types of unique things that make you stand out from others.

Just my 2 cents.

Re: Hope you don't mind the comments

[swestrup]

All comments are appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read it over and give your $.02

[(Anonymous)]

A bit of a negative comment, I'm afraid, about this "intarweb"
business. It seems a bit -- ungrateful -- to be constantly
emphasizing one's disapproval (and only one's disapproval) of the best achievements of man.
I wonder if you could come up with a little phrase that communicates
the idea that this has been a wonderful and positive invention
while getting across the idea that still greater inventions are
always possible? That may be a bit of a challenge, but better than
taking the easy way,
-Jim

[swestrup]

I use that term because I find it funny. I find the self-censoring of humorous remarks offensive.

[(Anonymous)]

Nope, you use it to criticize -- see your comment of 04:33 July 3 2005 at http://www.livejournal.com/users/swestrup/78286.html
--Few people are more in favor of free speech than I am, but shouldn't we
be and speak for good, not evil? I'm sure I could come up with many
jokes to lampoon many things that are on balance positive, but isn't it
better to lampoon the things that are more negative in the world? To think
of an example, why not lampoon 3rd-world dictators who keep their people
in a state of poverty? The Onion did this. In a "recent" piece on "The Onion
in History", it had an article of President Idi Amin of Uganda praising his
former rival as being "delicious".
-Jim

[swestrup]

No, YOU are wrong. I use it because I find it funny. I will continue to use it so long as I find it funny.

And frankly, I find the political-correctness screed that you are spouting to be EXTREMELY offensive.

[(Anonymous)]

>YOU are wrong
When you wrote "See how well the intarweb preserves modern history?"
I'd say this is a pretty clear indication that you use the
term to lampoon.

>And frankly,
Where's *your* tolerance for free speech, then?
...*My* "political-correctness screed"? Isn't it politically
*correct* today (for a long time) to lampoon technology?
Am I not being politically *incorrect* in saying "Hey,
hold it a sec.! This stuff is actually the most positive
stuff the world has produced to date!"
From your reaction, I'd say the latter. "Politically correct"
would be to be very careful not to say anything that would get
you upset, and to censor myself.
Really, what is so offensive about saying "Hey,
hold it a sec.! This stuff is actually the most positive
stuff the world has produced to date!" And what's really
so offensive about trying to persuade you that maybe you
haven't been "pushing" in the best direction?
-Jim

[(Anonymous)]

Picture a public debate between two parties: one side says
"Aren't you being a bit too negative all the time? After all,
you can't deny the wonderful ability of practically costless and
instant communication that the internet has brought us, can you?"
The other starts getting angry and yelling and pounding his
lectern, yelling "I have my right of free speech! You're being
obnoxious! I'll say what I want!"
When it comes time to vote, don't you think the second party will
have lost all his credibility with the voters?

[(Anonymous)]

Sounds like you're denying what you said, AND claiming right of
free speech (to say what you, uh, ...didn't... say?). Sounds a
bit contradictory; I'm randomly reminded of the defence: "I plead
youth and inexperience, annnnnd long and faithful service",
-Jim

[swestrup]

I just reread my comment. I said it was a cultural reference. Everything else is what YOU are reading into it.

[(Anonymous)]

The comment at 04:33 said "Just checked my old email archives and I have absolutely NO IDEA what I was referring to above. See how well the intarweb preserves modern history?"
This is not the "cultural reference" comment,
-Jim

[(Anonymous)]

If I've been THAT upsetting, I suppose I should apologize.
I just think that what technical people can provide to the
public is a sense of *perspective*,
-Jim