Re: Resume ideas

Subject: Re: Resume ideas
From: Stuart Burnfield <slb -at- FS -dot- COM -dot- AU>
Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 22:35:29 +0800

Tracy Boyington <tboyi -at- OKVOTECH -dot- ORG> said, in reply to this from me:
> > So, if I knew there were many other applicants, I'd consider attaching
> > a photo. And hey, I'm no Errol Flynn.
>
> No, but you're probably a white man. And everything I've ever heard
> about resumes says those of us who aren't white men should probably
> think twice about attaching a photo.

True. Another list-member said it would be OK for an employer to ask for
a photo to be brought to the interview, but not to ask for one to be
sent ahead of the interview. I agree completely, though I was actually
talking about what I would do as a job applicant, not an employer. If I
were required to send a photo with my resume, I hope I'd refuse.

Really, the aim is to make yourself memorable in some way, so that your
application stands out from the pack. A photo is one way, but I suppose
what people are saying is that there are both ethical and practical
problems with it.

Some people suggested making the resume unusual, for example by using
heavier/better paper or by adding an FAQ. One thing I'd always try is to
speak to one of the people responsible for filling the position, and ask
about the company, the work, the work environment, and so on.

- I might discover that I don't really want to work there
- I might discover that the job description in the ad was old or
misleading. Learning about the real job helps me to tailor my resume
and prepare for the interview
- it shows I'm interested enough to do some research; I'm not just
firing out bulk applications to every shop in town
- having talked to me on the phone, the person may have a favourable
first impression or at least remember my name when it comes time to
sift through the stack of applications.

> On second thought, attaching a photo might be a good way to save time
> that would normally be wasted on futile interviews, since anybody who
> wouldn't interview you because of your gender, race, or hair length
> probably wouldn't hire you either.

In our last year at College a friend was interviewed by a representative
from a very large computer company. After a few technical questions for
openers, he got down to business: Did Debbie think her work performance
would be affected by her periods? Did she expect she might have sexual
relationships with her co-workers? Debbie ahhh, terminated the interview
rapidly. I'm pleased to report that soon after, IBM went into a deep
decade-long slump from which it has only recently emerged.

Regards
---
Stuart Burnfield (slb -at- fs -dot- com -dot- au) Voice: +61 9 328 8288
Functional Software Pty Ltd Fax: +61 9 328 8616

ps. I'm going to send my only scanned photo to Bev Parks for the
'Friendly Faces' site. This makes me look like a sort of depraved
warthog, and should prove that I wouldn't be hoping to sway
potential employers by my beauty. . .

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