I suggest you're over thinking this. You've gotten plenty of useful advice and without specifics I think you could do this all day, just consuming feel-good advice. How about posting your resume for specific advice.
I second that Word docs should never be sent to strangers. Only PDF. Word screams "amateur old timer."
I wouldn't lead with "Mom and Pop experience" since it sounds like you've done much larger things. The small stuff isn't relevant at all once you've done bigger things--it just muddles your message. They don't want your life story. Also, they want crew people, not business owners, so I wouldn't pitch that side hard either. I suggest condensing and focusing your message.
CDL A could be a big one. Someone's gotta drive the truck to the venue...
I think obviously no one wants to know this stuff on a resume. This is the absolute basics that anyone beyond intern is expected to know. One can infer from corporate sound experience that a candidate has done these things.
Thanks All.
Andrew, I am not looking for "feel good" advide as I really am struggling with how to create a resume for this line of work. I don't have a resume for this, as I've never had to have one while owning my own business. The only reume I have is related to business outside of this industry, hence me asking what to include or omit and how to say it....
Definately wasn't planning on leading with or even including "mom & pop" biz stuff, it was just for a bit of background for those who've asked or made sugggestions. The only things I'd think that would be good to convey regarding being a business owner is, I understand customer service, I'm educated and can learn and I can handle responsibility... I agree they don't want to know about my day to day duties operating my business...
Obviously I was kidding about that I "listed" that I knew but there's a bit of truth there too, what do I try to convey that I do know and know well?
Let me come at it this way, in general, what is it that companies are seeking when they post a job opening on a job site asking for A1, A2, techs etc...?
So are you saying not to get specific? List out various event types and services that I've provided or worked on? Tell them I am comfortable and skilled at regularly mixing 2 - 40+ channels of audio? I have experience rigging and flying sound and lighting?
I'm gonna try to get a reume put together tomorrow or Tuesday and I'll see then about posting it here for a review. I'm not sure what I'll include but it seems that brevity is preferred with some highlights of various skill sets vs. an in-depth description of what consoles I've used and with whom I've worked...
I do agree that a CDL A should be helpful, this is the reason I kept it when I moved although it was a hassle, hoping it would come in handy for jobs...
I also agree with you all about PDF's, they are THE only way I'll send any electronic document. I spent the time formatting and designing it and I want it to be viewed as I designed it, a word doc just won't cut it.
That is correct that Office 2010 has the PDF creator which makes things really nice.
Thanks all, I do understand that, for the most part, a resume is "ceremonial" but this company has posted asking for resumes, so I need to get it done and to them.. I would like a resume for when I make great contacts, I'll have something to leave with them.. I never expected to pick up and move 500+ miles away and had a great word of mouth business going that I got lazy with taking pics of events and such so I don't have much eye candy except from our DJ side of things. Once I got the lighting and sound deployed all I had to do for the DJ gigs was watch and wait until it was time to strike so I did get lots of pics of those events. Still mostly lighting though...
Anyway, thanks all. I do appreciate your efforts to help...
