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April, 2024

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First time writing a resume

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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
my dad thinks I need to put all my generic, high-horse, whistle-blowing high school credentials on my resume for a pretty big construction and demo contractor in my home state. All it is a club I made, all the APs I took, shit like that. It's just for a summer internship or summer construction job on the site. Do they really care about all that shit?

What should I put on my first resume coming out of high school? What should I write in my cover letter?
I know NS isn't the best place to ask for this at all, but maybe some of you have some idea of what to do. thanks yall
Dec 17 2013 7:54PM
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act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
That's what you should put on it, right now that's all you have to put on it and it's best to play up all of that stuff even if it does seem menial and stupid.
Dec 17 2013 7:58PM
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KZA
Posts: 3304 - Karma: 301
If you are just graduating from high school and have little to no experience, it can't hurt to list shit like that. Once you're in college, you generally don't want to list high school stuff as no one gives a shit.

Your resume is a great chance to build yourself up and make yourself stand out. Try searching for resume action words as they can help generate some ideas. Also, you can list your work experience with the duties underneath or break it out into sections like Organizational, Management, etc and list all of the relevant things you've done until you get more experience. I doubt many other high school grads have decent resumes so it at least shows you are taking it seriously. I'll try to upload mine later on for reference.

Good luck!
Dec 17 2013 7:59PM
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cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,131
your first resume is going to suck dick, just fill it up with whatever you can. Once you start having a list of proper jobs to put on start taking out the filler
Dec 17 2013 8:00PM
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clive_bixby
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 499
I work for a big contractor in my state (I am 25). It's quite important to put this stuff. Kids don't fucking realize the labor shortage were going to have in about 5 years or less. Young men (and women obvi) in the trades is going to be needed more than ever in the short term future.

Shout out to all the kids on the college fringe, look into trades/crafts. It is ok to be a tradesman.
Dec 17 2013 8:11PM
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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
ever heard of DH griffin?
Dec 17 2013 8:25PM
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clive_bixby
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 499
I haven't. Though looking at the website, they have an impressive portfolio. Looks like quite the g.c. I don't know how old you are, or what you would be doing. I can sure as hell tell you this experience will help you. Feel free to pm me with any questions. I have a lot of commercial construction experience. There is big money to be made in this business.
Dec 17 2013 8:34PM
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Sno.
Posts: 12155 - Karma: 6,147

Listen to your father.

Dec 17 2013 8:35PM
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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
18 years old, honestly just want a job. I'll clean their pot as long as they pay me haha
Dec 17 2013 8:35PM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
dom mazzetti has you covered
Dec 17 2013 8:43PM
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clive_bixby
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 499
Tell them that. Don't let them take advantage of you pay wise, but tell them that. Maybe leave out the desperate for a job thing. Are you interested in any sort of trade/craft or is this a take up time in the summer thing?
Dec 17 2013 8:49PM
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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
They have multiple pillars of their business, one of which is demolition. if someone isn't interested in demo then they're a fucking faggot, simply put. I'm definitely interested in this stuff. Mind taking a look at my resume/cover letter?
Dec 17 2013 9:33PM
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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
Actually I lied, I know trades/crafts are dying and we need more 'grey collar' workers, but it's sort of both. A summer job would be nice, but so would be blowing shit up for money. I hope I'm making sense.
Dec 17 2013 9:36PM
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cannaguts666
Posts: 504 - Karma: 256
Put the school you went to and sum up your "credentials" real quick. Use bullet points and just put, AP classes, etc.

Honestly, no buddy gives a fuck what you did in high school and when you go on to other jobs you mostly won't put high school on your resume. They already ask if you've graduated high school on the application.

You're better off putting skills like operator license or knowledge of heavy machinery operation, CDL, shit like that.
Dec 17 2013 9:53PM
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t-roy
Posts: 4041 - Karma: 52
Make sure you have absolutely ZERO spelling/grammar mistakes. have several other people proof read it.
Dec 17 2013 10:17PM
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MitchT
Posts: 560 - Karma: 4,093
Tell them what the want to hear + the credentials you have already in school and the industry.

Stuff like...

-Eager to build on the skills you already know.
-See how you measure up against those in the industry.
-This comment has no purpose.

Good luck to you though, and when it comes to construction there's always room for the slim to no pay slaves they call high school students.
Dec 17 2013 10:18PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 36741 - Karma: 111,242
work experience, certifications, at least three references that aren't family, your academic achievements even if you're still in highschool. some additional stuff but not really mandatory you can put on there is shit like volunteer work, any awards or athletic shit like school sports. a lot of stuff really. just gotta sell yourself and make it look professional.
Dec 17 2013 10:19PM
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