Comments on post “CakeResume v2”
Richard kim
@cwrichardkim · dev | Google, privacy.com, Drift, twindr
I organized a hackathon recently where we required resumes, so we included links to resume generators like EnhanceCV. I got a lot of messages from recruiters who really, really disliked these resumes. Here's what we learned
1) Do not use an image. Companies are actively trying to avoid being biased in the interview process and will toss out any resumes that readily indicate race or gender
2) In general, don't give space to graphical representations (e.g.: the timeline in the tutorial video). They're generally understood to be wasted space and using them may signal to the recruiter that you didn't have enough content to fill that space
3) Resume generators sometimes encourage you to include skills you're not proficient in (e.g.: 2/5 star proficiency in java) for the sake of visual completeness. Do not include these.
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Trantor Liu
@trantorliu · The founder of CakeResume
@cwrichardkim Thank you for the advices! I know all these principles. But I'd like to change the nature of resume. Let machine filter keywords or qualifications, so you can share about something you really care on your resume. Resumes nowadays are less human, I'd like create a tool that inspire people to share their stories.
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Richard kim
@cwrichardkim · dev | Google, privacy.com, Drift, twindr
@trantorliu While I agree with that sentiment (resumes and the job application process are VERY broken), it's hard to justify doing something that is actively discouraged by recruiters. If recruiters throw out all resumes with photos, then it doesn't matter how good the generated resume is, it'll be thrown out
Let me clarify by saying I still think this is a valuable product and I don't want this to come across as a criticism of your work! I just wanted to include some words of caution from my experience.
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Patrick Thompson
@neurohacked
@trantorliu The chance to tell your story is what the interview process is for. As @cwrichardkim mentioned, most companies do not want to be biased when looking for interviewees and putting a face to the resume doesn't help with that.
With that said, your app is great, there are just certain things that I would not want to include, like my photo.
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Trantor Liu
@trantorliu · The founder of CakeResume
@neurohacked Thank you. I'll keep in mind. However, some countries don't have this constraint. Btw, I wonder why LinkedIn accepts photos?
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Richard kim
@cwrichardkim · dev | Google, privacy.com, Drift, twindr
@trantorliu linked in is primarily a network and secondarily an application platform that enables recruiters to do *further* research. Also, when you apply with linkedin, most website actually convert everything to plaintext for a variety of reasons (save space, consistent formatting, remove images). It's actually rather frustrating because after importing from LinkedIn you have to format the pain text that linkedin returned. Again, not criticizing the product, just words of caution
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Trantor Liu
@trantorliu · The founder of CakeResume
@cwrichardkim I see. Thank you so much! I appreciate all the advices :)
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Bernhardt Scherer
@bboernard · Product Manager
@cwrichardkim I think there is quite some generalisation. In Germany for example, photos are kind of the standard in resumes. Also your feedback sounds like it might come from corporations, I would think that smaller startups research quite heavily on social profiles etc.
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Richard kim
@cwrichardkim · dev | Google, privacy.com, Drift, twindr
@bboernard that's a great point! It generally was larger companies who complained to us, though we did have one smaller company complain too.
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Tom Charde
@tomcharde · Brand + UX + Web Strategist
@trantorliu FYI: The term, "advice", is considered an 'uncountable noun', and therefore it typically isn't pluralized. (More info: https://www.englishclub.com/gram...). But your English is quite good for a non-native speaker!
BTW, well done on CakeResume.
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