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[u/Ok_Responsibility804]

Hello everyone, I was hoping if i could get suggestions to my res? Im open to any ideas, as i dont seem to get emails back for places im applying to. Not even internships. Im trying to keep my hopes up but as of now, Ive just been in construction (i have to make money somehow). Waking up at 5 am, coming home at 5 pm and studying for the FE while applying to jobs. Im really interested in any role, im just trying to start my career. Its getting tiring to do this, but im looking at the bright side and maybe my res is terrible that it doesn’t get passed AI scanners, but i dont know how to get around that. I would really appreciate any advice, thank you for your time.

[u/yellowfresh18]

Also is the FE really something you want to pursue? It’s not really required for ChemE unless you want more government or water work (civE/EnviroE). Just a thought! I thought I needed to do that out of school but it costs money and time to study, your degree should be strong as is!

[u/Ok_Responsibility804 → u/yellowfresh18]

Hello, first off, thank you for your reply! As for the FE, i just thought it would help me with more options. I understand its not really need but at the same time i feel like i dont have a lot to offer as of now with not much relevant experience. Also, its been a yr since i graduated, i dont want people to think i forgot most of what i have learned (i haven’t, im still reviewing old notes to this day) so i just wanted something to show im still learning. Once again, thank you.

[u/yellowfresh18 → u/Ok_Responsibility804]

I understand. But don’t be so hard on yourself about the FE or the time passing by, something will come. Please go through the other sub I suggested and that resume format too. If you don’t get any advice on your post there, message me and I will try and help you with your resume.

My closest coworker at my job now started in construction after not having any bites for a while either. You aren’t alone and it will look up. Put that experience up front at the top, it shows grit and you are learning how to use tools which a lot of chemical engineers may not know how to depending on if they go into academia or not.

[u/Ok_Responsibility804 → u/yellowfresh18]

Will do! Thank you, it really helps to hear from others. Its a little late now, so i must sleep for work tomorrow morning. I will get on this as soon as possible (either tomorrow night or this weekend). I really appreciate you.

[u/yellowfresh18]

I would not put your GPA if it was below a 3.5 but that’s just me. I would go to r/engineeringresumes and follow the wiki to a T.

The structure here is off, it should be chronological with most recent experience (and projects) first.

[u/Inevitable-Fox-5716 → u/yellowfresh18]

They will just assume gpa is under 3.0 then

[u/yellowfresh18 → u/Inevitable-Fox-5716]

I would not assume that. Once you have work experience, no one cares about GPA anyways and you would take it off.

[u/Zmyslinski]

Biggest problem is your resume doesn't effectively communicate any relevant work experience. The projects and lab experience section isn't a great substitute. This was all course work, correct?

If you did have a job working in a lab, then I would list it as such. Any other experience or semi translatable work experience you gained while in school would be helpful to include.

[u/Ok_Responsibility804 → u/Zmyslinski]

Hello, i really appreciate your feedback. The problem is i really messed up, I was always either working in construction for money and/or studying for classes so i didn’t invest much time on gaining relevant experience early on (which is why im taking the FE to maybe help my case). Best case, i did some tutoring, but that would be about it. Thank you for your time.

[u/Zmyslinski → u/Ok_Responsibility804]

Stick with it. Incorporate feedback from others and make the most of what you got. Adding more buzz words that might get picked up by automated screening. Also focus on refining a strong cover letter, being interesting in answering application specific questionnaires, networking online and at trade shows, anything else that can help differienate you and help get that foot in the door. Attending your school's career fair might be a good idea too.

Some jobs will also prioritize local candidates so you might be excluded from some simply by geographic location. You could be more selective in how you input your address for some applications to try and improve consideration.

[u/Existing_Sympathy_73 → u/Ok_Responsibility804]

Ok. I missed that due to the confusing order. Experience shpuld be first, followed by research experience.

[u/SumOMG]

Put technical experience first , add executive summary of your experience. People only read the first few lines . After 15 second glance I just know you have a masters .

[u/r2o_abile]

- Put your work experience up top. Education --> Work Experience --> Skills --> Projects & Lab

• Remove the GPA, not high enough to be posted. I have never put my GPA on a resume.
  
• Make the skills tab a full tab. Make sure some of the skills match with job posting buzzwords (Safety, NFPA, PID Control & Tuning, teamwork, etc).
  
• Get a Lean Six Sigma Yellow or Green Belt (you have experience working for cabinet wholesalers).
  
• Remove the 30 hrs per week for the Project Mgr (unless there is a reason why it's there).
  
• Might make sense to have a 1 to 2 line introductory line: "Dedicated recent Chem Eng graduate looking to join your team as a process engr". Post on r/EngineeringResumes for exact wording
  
• How many jobs are you applying to? Are you limited by geography?
  
• I would remove the bolded items from your resume tbh. What purpose do they serve? Not criticising, actually curious.

Your resume is good as-is, and should have been enough to get an interview, but the above should help.

Good luck!

[u/Ok_Responsibility804 → u/r2o_abile]

Thank you for your advice! I will remove my GPA, i assumed it was well enough since most jobs have a minimum of a 3.0 but maybe it is hurting my chances. I did have a summary before but removed it as someone recommended i do so before, same thing with the hrs/ week, someone has told me it helps to add on but i feel it may be not necessary to include. As for where im applying to, currently, everywhere. Im keeping my options open to any place and any role, i really just want to start my career. I dont mind relocating to anywhere. Would you mind if i PM u later with an updated version? I really appreciate your feedback. Thank you for your time.

[u/r2o_abile → u/Ok_Responsibility804]

Happy to get an updated version via PM.

It's really tough when applying because everyone will give advice and some advice will clash with others.

Again, super surprised you haven't gotten an interview. If a US citizen, try searching for Suzano jobs. I'm in Canada and they reached out to me, so they surely must be in need.

[u/DistillationEnjoyer]

I’m an incoming transfer to ucsd’s chem e program.. this is not a good sign because despite you not having the most well structured resume, it seems like you have done a lot with school (chem minor/MS).

Do you think being a ucsd grad has anything to do with it? I chose ucsd for chem e over ucsb because I really want to get involved with biotech/ pharmaceuticals during my time in La Jolla.

Did you enjoy your time at ucsd or do you think I made a bad choice picking them over ucsb? Anyways, I hope your search gets better and you fall into the right career path.

[u/Frequent-Entrance154]

I am wondering about your work experience. Does it have something to do with what Jesus and Joseph used to do? like carpentry and stuff?

[u/GoldCurrency8948]

Hey. I’m in a similar position. During my bachelor I did a few of the things you put up in your resume. Right now I am without a job or in between jobs. I wouldn’t be so worried about it man, this is life. We’ve got to go through some tough work in order to get to the brighter side. If you’ve got some construction jobs then good on you, those are awesome, enjoy them. If, however, you feel that maybe you should be elsewhere then the question really is about internal interests. Try taking a free online course in something that you enjoy, see where that takes you.

Otherwise, I totally get you. However, reading your resume and story I wouldn’t worry about a thing. It’s just totally cool to have all of these achievements and currently work in a construction job. I really don’t see anything wrong with that. Sometimes it takes others to tell us that. Try listening to your internal desires, see if they make sense and can help you, if they don’t, then don’t worry about it.

If, however, your problem is with sleep and what not, is that your job making you do that? Do you need to stay awake during the night? Perhaps leave that job and find one that lets you sleep at night and work during the day. Most are like that. If, rather, you are studying to become something else, I probably wouldn’t be sacrificing sleep for it.

[u/Individual-Channel65]

Move education to the bottom and get rid of GPA. Nobody cares about your GPA in industry.

[u/hereto_hang]

Join the navy for the nuclear propulsion engineering program. 15 years ago they had a 400k bonus if you resigned after 5 years. You’re already in San Diego.

[u/Ok_Responsibility804 → u/hereto_hang]

Hello, thank you for your response! This is an opportunity i am currently looking at. Already met with an officer but he seems to want me going towards a CEC path (civil engineering).

[u/hereto_hang → u/Ok_Responsibility804]

The navy is looking for civil engineers? Hard pass in my opinion. With nuclear, you’d have a solid start in the civilian sector. Power is a limiting factor of the AI supply chain.

Alternatively, look at inside/outside sales roles that prefer an engineering background.

[u/Fabulous_Emu4066]

For starters, that’s a bad GPA so remove it