Workcamper resume ??

In our seven years of "Workamping" we may have submitted resumes one or two times, and it seemed kind of ridiculous considering we were applying for seasonal minimum wage positions at small campgrounds. The "big" corporations we worked for in national parks never asked for resumes, their online application had blocks to fill in highlighting experience, eliminating the need for resumes. As the previous poster said, highlight your people & customer service skills as well as any skills applicable to the position you are applying for.

4X4Dodger wrote:
As someone who has seen literally thousands of resumes and hired many many people I think I may be able to give you some ideas.

Thank you very much for the advice. This is what I am looking for. I shortened you post here but I can reference back as needed. Maybe a forum section on resumes and job help would be of help. For me it would be greatly appreciate as I am moving from one industry into another.

brirene wrote:

Ropdoc wrote:

USA Traveler wrote:
There are many parks that need interpreters who work with groups in various areas. I would think that you experience as a teacher would apply to this type position. Good luck and safe travels.

Now that is funny stuff right. I worked with both high school age and adults students. Patience was sort of there, but translating to anyone. ... um ... nope not there. You either understood my english method of speech or you were aloud to walk thru the door and NOT return. Sorry but no thank you. LOL

Woah, dude, relax. I took that to mean SITE interpreters, as in guides, etc., not ESL or language interpreters. You asked, he tried to help. Or did you mean something else?

I am not attacking. Just making a statement. That is the problem with typing comments and not saying them. It was a bad attempt at humor on my part. I did start by saying it was funny and ended with LOL. Oh well. take it as you wish. I left it in my attempt at humor

As someone who has seen literally thousands of resumes and hired many many people I think I may be able to give you some ideas.

First: Remember that the resume is a tool of ELIMINATION. A person sits at their desk with a number of resumes in front of them and they first start to ELIMINATE some of them. They NEVER dip down into a stack of resumes and Pick out one and exclaim...AHA!

The key is to not be eliminated. (more on that in a second)

You have to look at the specific job you want to get workamping and then write a resume for that job.

Think about all the skills you have acquired over your life; were you in the Service? (leadership) were you ever in the Peace Corp? (Leadership, Teaching, self reliance.) Teaching: (Organization, scheduling)

What specific mechanical skills do you have. Can you do electrical work, plumbing wood work? If you are a Mechanical designer you are probably pretty mechanically inclined.

Stress any supervisory skills you may have.

I would not concern myself with a listing of jobs nearly as much as I would highlight my skills set.

Generally these jobs involve working with the public. So stress any experience you have and accomplishments in dealing with the public or public relations.

Sit down and make a list of these or similar things.

Make the resume readable, NO MORE THAN ONE PAGE you are not applying to the Fermi Physics lab here.

And if you have traveled extensively, dealt with people of other cultures, done business overseas, these can all be highlighted in ways to show that you have the skills to do the job.

Now for the elimination part: If you have done something extraordinary, like the Peace Corps, put it at the top of the first paragraph. Catch their eye..give them a reason to want to talk to you.

My Time in the Peace Corp in the '70's has probably gotten me more interviews than all my experience put together.

And for these kinds of jobs I would abandon the traditional resume format (job by job listing) and head paragraphs with experience or skills headings. Then at the end put in a short list of the most important and long held positions you have held with just the year dates on them.

Good Luck and I hope this has given you something to think about.

Ropdoc wrote:

USA Traveler wrote:
There are many parks that need interpreters who work with groups in various areas. I would think that you experience as a teacher would apply to this type position. Good luck and safe travels.

Now that is funny stuff right. I worked with both high school age and adults students. Patience was sort of there, but translating to anyone. ... um ... nope not there. You either understood my english method of speech or you were aloud to walk thru the door and NOT return. Sorry but no thank you. LOL

"aloud to walk...."
Perhaps allowed was intended? Two points off for spelling. :)

Yep, interpreters in this case meant gigs such as lighthouse tour guides, ghost town tour guide, etc. Many state and national parks use them for their programs. It's not a language thing. :)

Ropdoc wrote:

USA Traveler wrote:
There are many parks that need interpreters who work with groups in various areas. I would think that you experience as a teacher would apply to this type position. Good luck and safe travels.

Now that is funny stuff right. I worked with both high school age and adults students. Patience was sort of there, but translating to anyone. ... um ... nope not there. You either understood my english method of speech or you were aloud to walk thru the door and NOT return. Sorry but no thank you. LOL

Woah, dude, relax. I took that to mean SITE interpreters, as in guides, etc., not ESL or language interpreters. You asked, he tried to help. Or did you mean something else?

You need to do further research regarding paid positions. You'll find most, if not all, are less than minimum wage. Then there's the wage earner/resident/income tax thingys. For what it's worth, paid positions are a PITA for the hassle they produce. If it works for you, that's great but know what you're getting before you commit.

Most places are looking for outgoing, friendly personalities in dealing with the public. Usually, the wife works in the office, so computer skills are preferred and the hubby works outside doing small chores, cleaning bathhouses, mowing/weeding/trimming that kind of stuff. Being handy with tools is a plus. If you're looking for a form, go to California Parks website and download their VIPP form. Use that as a template. BOL....Dennis

USA Traveler wrote:
There are many parks that need interpreters who work with groups in various areas. I would think that you experience as a teacher would apply to this type position. Good luck and safe travels.

Now that is funny stuff right. I worked with both high school age and adults students. Patience was sort of there, but translating to anyone. ... um ... nope not there. You either understood my english method of speech or you were aloud to walk thru the door and NOT return. Sorry but no thank you. LOL

There are many parks that need interpreters who work with groups in various areas. I would think that you experience as a teacher would apply to this type position. Good luck and safe travels.