After being unable to find a new "career" now for a while I'm pretty sure my resume needs a lot of help. Interviewing is a strength of mine and I connect well with people, it's just getting in the door where my problem is.

Has anyone used any good companies/people to assist with your resume? Also, are cover letters dead?

if you are really good at connecting well with people, then you shouldn't need to be blasting out resumes.

#hardtruths

Still need a good resume.

When you have someone trying to get you in the door, you don't need nearly as great of one. You can't smear poop on it and send it in, but you don't need perfection.

I review resumes for WSO, but that's finance-oriented. Most of the time my clients needed help with formating in general and fixing grammar. However, some of them had literal poop all over and have 0 shot at getting into front-office finance roles; even a magician can't save them unless their dads are connected to Jamie Dimon.

If OP has connections already he probably wouldn't be asking for help. Can you upload it to Google doc and I'll take a look for you? I'll give you general pointers rather than edit it for you. Answer these Qs as well:

-what are you trying to find?
please be specific. If you say anything you're a lost cause. industry (tech, real estate, manufacturing, consumer products, finance), function (HR, finance, risk management, operations), geography.
-what have you done?
academics, extracurricular, internships, volunteering, certifications, interests, etc.

Just send your linkedin profile (welcome them to check it) followed with some brief highlights. The jobs you get from that are way better anyway.

cover letters are definitely important. customize each one for each position you apply to. one of the more important things to remember is to use your network to get your resume on the right persons desk. submitting cold applications can work but isn't ideal

If you ever get the time, an AMA from you would be really interesting IMO.

that's just a by-case gig where I help college kids tailor their resumes so it's not a full-time gig or anything. my experiences so far are nothing like some of the people here in BFI. we have an impressive group of people here scattered with idiots here and there :P

I'd really appreciate it if you could take a look at mine hanster, i'm looking for 4 month internships in finance (IB/portfolio management/PE).
the co-op program gives you a list of jobs to apply for but all the good ones go to the 3rd years or even MBA's.
How valuable is the Wall Street Prep certifications? I plan on taking it next time it comes to my city.

No cover letter. I don't want to read the whole resume, let alone a letter. What I mean is, nobody likes sitting there reading a resume. CL is just MORE to read. The resume will tell me if I should keep reading. I'll throw away the CL right away, or never make it to the resume. I want to see your skill-set and accomplishments. I'll get to know you over a phone and/or in an interview.

Keep it to one page. If you have the best resume ever, get that on one page. Your best stuff won't take up more than that. For the lesser developed resumes, you'll make sure the right stuff makes the cut. For the really standout guys, your best stuff on one page will scream "call this one."

Format it yourself. It takes a lot more time, and will frustrate you. Once you do this, it will tend to flow better when uploaded and formats change. Templates usually have far too complicated formatting structures and won't upload. When I get it, I just see a mess. It also demonstrates office product and pc literacy/skills. You can be an awesome person, but if you can't write/format/navigate to get work done, it's of no value to me.

Don't mention or list Strayer University.

Use appropriate action verbs in the proper tense. Not doing this is the fastest way to assure it hits the trash can or I click delete/reject.

The partners at my office are all out traveling next week, so I figure to have plenty of downtime next week. Would also like to offer to look at resumes for the BFI crowd. I've reviewed resumes and done interviews for junior level management consultants, and worked in the admissions office for a top 10 MBA program. I'm probably not the best person to ask for IB/PE/HF type of jobs, but am pretty confident answering questions related to consulting, corporate strategy, corporate finance, and just general management type of gigs.

for professional positions, you definitely want to include a succinct cover letter. maybe you're too lazy to read them but a simple google search highlights it's importance.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...rence/3465629/

hey there,
I replied to your PM. you can post it for the rest of the group to take a look at as well for additional (and more concrete) feedback.