the résumé

one post from the defunct transitions blog on typepad

never in recent memory have i labored so hard over 1000+ carefully chosen words to fill 8-1/2 X 11 inch sheets of paper. (i mean filled.) the attempt to market, spin and condense the last 6-1/2 years of one's professional life on two pieces of 32 lb. 92 brightness 100% cotton content is time consuming and draining. but it also inspires when i think of the many opportunities and undefined spaces yet to explore.

this document is far from perfect. the white space to printed character ratio is low, at times, the style borders on the pompous, verbose, and pseudo-technical.

here follows excerpts from an emailed introduction to this résumé.

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...[ it required ] a massive amount of sustained work in reflection, mental regurgitation, and fuzzy recall / logic cobbled together over the last two or three days...

In this recipe for a self-marketing plan, combine one part pre-primary political posturing, one part Mardi Gras costuming, and two parts spin doctoring. ... The French would say ... bricoleur.

a preemtive list of a few (mildly) controversial areas

1. while it is a chronological résumé, i had to balance issues of space and formatting with the sequencing of lists of job responsibilities and accompanying accomplishments. on page two, the listing for the pro bono work for the Financial Services firm is out of sequence. ... these activities have merit, and support in a general way the overall professional objectives, [ but represent ] ... a temporary hiatus in my career trajectory. ... [ with a break in ] the flow, the resume would have extended to three pages, an [ avoidable ] formatting choice.
   
2. To fit all the content in two pages, white space in the resume is … uh … marginalized. I eliminated as much redundancy in content as possible, while adhering to the Accomplishment=>Results bulleted list formula. A smaller font may be difficult on uncorrected eyes over 40-years old to read. I think it is still readable because of the open Trebuchet font as well as the additional leading and kerning in the x- and y-planes. [ ... ]
   
3. I excluded irrelevant work history prior to 2000, on the basis that it does not add value to the professional objective. The education list does however hint at a former life should the interviewer wish to pry open that closet door.