Ask HN: Do you list startup experience on your resume for a `normal' job search?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1021358

by dnewcome • 17 years ago

3 4 17 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I'm out of cash and looking for a programming job, but I'm finding that listing my startup experience is serving mostly to confuse recruiters. How do you list your less-traditional experience when looking for `normal' work?

RiderOfGiraffes2• 17 years ago

Well, what is your startup experience? Why not put your resume online and point us at it so we can offer suggestions.

Most recruiters are simple folk and just have a check-list of things they're looking for. Think about the job you want, then list the things you need for that job. Now conflate it through recruiter-think, say you have it all, and see how your experience can be distorted to sound right.

But we need to know what you're looking for, what skills you think you have, and what evidence you can provide before we can really offer serious advice.

And here's something to think about:

http://www.solipsys.co.uk/new/AnneLearnsToRecruit.html?HN

dnewcome• 17 years ago

Thanks for the reply. I never would have posted it unbidden, but here is a link to my resume: http://newcome.wordpress.com/resume/

RiderOfGiraffes2• 17 years ago

Firstly, I want to know whether you have the skills I want. That means you should put your claims for skills at the top. Then you should support them.

In addition to your technical skills you need to say that you have led/managed successful projects. Then you should support those claims by naming them.

For HR people or recruitment agencies you need to be short, sharp, and to the point. They need to tick the boxes and have a warm, fuzzy feeling that you really do have those skills.

Personally, I was reading your resume and got a half screen down and was thinking - yes, but can you do what I want?

I hope that helps - I'm sure others will have different opinions.

Ask HN: Do you list startup experience on your resume for a `normal' job search?

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