My resume sucks
March 5, 2008 4:16 AM   Subscribe

Help me improve upon my resume. Need ideas for short courses, random certifications and new skills! 20-something year old Aussie, science student, applying to medical school eventually (but skills needn't be science-related.)

I haven't had a job in two years because I've been studying. I was shocked when I went to write my resume today – I have nothing to offer!

Note: This isn't just a question about gearing a resume specifically towards getting into med school or getting science jobs. I want all types of experience as long as it interests me (or if it's boring, as long as it doesn't take up too much of my time!)

Background: I was one of those semi child prodigies who experienced numerous traumatic experiences during adolescence and consequently let my academic interests wane in favour of mere survival. As a result my resume consists of bartending, bartending, waitressing. A succession of strip clubs. Although I enjoyed my job/s and learnt a lot, none of it is relevant to my current life and I don't want to scare potential employers off by admitting my background.

My first thought is just to lie and pretend I worked at other clubs and pubs rather than strip clubs. Easily done, especially since some of my old managers own other clubs now. But how else can I improve upon my resume, and more accurately, my life skills?

First aid course? That's the only thing I can think of. I welcome any and all suggestions for short courses, extracurricular activities, and things of that nature that will look good on a resume and also teach me something. Bonus points if they aren't too expensive, but I may be willing to pay if something is worth it.

Any short-term volunteer work I can do that won't eat in to my study too much? Any societies / clubs / organisations I can join?

What are some good / impressive / interesting things that mefites have on their resumes? Help!

PS I wanted to put this in the "education" category but work&money seemed slightly more appropriate.
posted by mjao to Work & Money (6 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: Join the SES?
posted by 5MeoCMP at 5:15 AM on March 5, 2008


I would find a prof and a lab - and volunteer to do research in that lab. If you contribute to research in that lab that leads to a peer reviewed published article, your name may go on that article. Plus, if you want to be -- a lab tech for a few years -- with an undergrad science degree, minimal lab experience -- you will probably be hired.

If you need the money - see if there are jobs in labs - although they may not be as interesting (wash the test tubes). If you want to go this route, knock on the doors of your profs before the start or end of the semester (they may have a grant, and not yet have students).

I also knew a few premed uni students in the states that volunteered to get EMT training and worked at school events, etc. - but they could make that experience sound relevent to a med school.

Good luck.
posted by Wolfster at 6:10 AM on March 5, 2008


Best answer: SES is a great answer. I had an academic (education/phys ed) friend who volunteered with the surf lifesaving helicopter, picked up a couple of drowned bodies once. Usually got them warm though.

If you're still in the Brisbane region, maybe this list will help.
posted by b33j at 6:24 AM on March 5, 2008


Oh and I knew this guy who was a psychologist in the army who used to volunteer for Lifeline suicide line. Of course he was qualified, but they do give their operators training, and the hours work in well for a student. Doctors need that listening ear too.
posted by b33j at 6:25 AM on March 5, 2008


The SES sounds like a really good idea --- my suggestion was going to be the Red Cross, but the SES seems more in line with what you're looking for.

Wolfster's idea about volunteering in a lab isn't a bad one IF you have enough training to be useful. Even better, try for a paying lab job even if it's just as a bottle washer. Second-year course-work should be enough. Pick a sympathetic prof and sound them out. I've done it and I know of others who have done it in similar positions to yours. It's a good way to get a foot in the door and to see if that's the sort of thing that interests you. A research lab is really very little like a teaching lab, but some people hate the environment.

Can you get a student membership in a professional society? These are often run a social clubs for students. At most it means attending a lecture or two a year. These often look good on resumes. They show that you're committed and interested, if nothing else.

But do go out for something. When I look at resumes, I like seeing some outside interest, whether it's amateur theatre or football or being a Big Brother. It shows engagement, rather than someone who sits at home on front of the tv every night.
posted by bonehead at 9:55 AM on March 5, 2008


A bunch of the guys I knew who did med school (in Brisbane) were in St John Ambulance - fun, med-related, and they got to go to all the big events and concerts free.
posted by jacalata at 5:07 PM on March 5, 2008


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