Help on how to write a prepress resume?

[seratne]

One thing that annoys me to no end when looking over resumes is when the duties of your job are written down, as though you took your job description and copied and pasted into a resume format.

If you're applying for a job I would like to know more than "prepared files for output...cut down proofs...send digital files to brisque workflow for ctp".

That's something I assume you should know. Put down a few of the major responsibilites you had like "maintained quality assurance for a department of 6 prepress employees" and then follow it up with "managed to reduce repeated proofing and customer complaints due to errors in prepress by 60%"

And it's ok to fluff your resume a bit. Just don't over do it on the amount of actual prepress knowledge you have. You will get caught up in it. And sometimes companies are looking for someone at a lower paygrade just to help out and tackle the easy stuff. And don't mind teaching you stuff along the way.

[pspdfppd]

what about NOT including company names in previous experience.

I'm not looking for a job right now, but printers around these parts know each other a lot and even if I put down a company I worked for 10 years ago the word might still get out that I was looking.

I was taught you always had to give out company names when submitting a resume but I'd rather not unless I was unemployed.

[bluekivi]

If you have a nice picture (portrait) of yourself, include that. The last few resumes I was asked to review had a small pic on the cover page or in the header and it seems to do a little of the ice-breaking for you. Put's a face to the name.

Helps if you're good-looking too.

:wink:

I know a girl that was called in for an interview just because she looked good, and she got the job!!!

[The_Stevinator]

im not sure how labor laws are in canada. but thats big grounds for a lawsuit in america.

[bluekivi]

Actually, she was qualified for the position as well. But the pic didn't hurt.

[prepress_brillance_43]

We were always taught in business school NOT to include any pictures or graphics in a resume. minus if your applying to sell houses, or insurance.. seems like their faces have to be plastered all over stuff. :lol:

The key is to express your knowledge without coming across as a "know it all". Someone who is still looking to add to that said knowledge and be a team player. You can include things that insinuate team player into your objective by saying Objective: To join an organization as a prepress technician with the intent to help further the goals of the company.

I also wouldnt have a technical list, per se, because like mentioned, it will be over the heads of most of the "first viewers" instead opt for the BIG names, mentioning you are proficient in the Creative Suite, as well as Quark and MS Office.

that's me cent and half. Good Luck with the hunt!!

:P

edit: also include a cover letter. always include a cover letter. and always send a follow up letter of appreciation for taking their time to consider you.

[Sparky]

Here, chew this one over 8O
I can't format it like the original but you get the idea. Since I really am looking, I'm getting 2 birds with one stone (or is that posts)

Marc A. Lager
Address and phone here, but withheld for obvious reasons.

Objective:
To obtain a position in which my skills and experience would benefit your company in it’s growth and advance it’s position in the market place.

Education:
Graduate, John Marshall High School, Los Feliz, CA; Los Angeles City Community College, Mechanical Drafting, Architecture; 4 year stripping apprenticeship with Graphic Art Systems of Burbank. Completed Management training courses from the PIA, Los Angeles CA.

Skills:
The ability to resolve problems and find working solutions to everyday production dilemmas. The desire to seek information concerning the work environment and how to improve the flow of production. I can achieve results on either PC or Mac platforms and have learned to integrate and optimize each platform as necessary.
I have gained good customer communication skills during my years of experience in the commercial offset printing industry and while working outside the industry in many entrepreneurial endeavors of my own.
Proficient with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat with PitStop, QuarkXpress, PageMaker and Publisher. A working knowledge of Freehand, MS Word, and others. I have also utilized my skills and knowledge to teach desktop publishing and consult with companies as to proper workflow solutions for prepress applications and commercial printing.

Experience:
1970 - 1977 Stripping supervisor. Graphic Arts Systems - Burbank, California.
1977 - 1996 Worked with various “Trade Shops” throughout Southern California, further advancing my knowledge and expertise in the field of pre-press stripping, desktop publishing and production management.
1982 - 1989 Photo retouching, composition, and page layout on Scitex Pixet work stations. Graphic Arts Systems - Burbank, California.
1989 - 1995 Stripping Supervisor, Macintosh desktop publishing. Continental Graphics - Los Angeles, California.
1997 - 2007 Manager Digital Prepress. Capital Printing - Schenecatdy, New York
1970 - Present Worked independently as a layout designer, artistic consultant, photographer and marketing consultant, for such products as “TV Soap-Soaps”, “American Telecard”, “Monster Mansion”, “American Pita Bread” and others.

Professional Affiliations:
Member in good standing with the IAPHC for over 8 years (International Association of Printing House Craftsmen: www.iaphc.org). President of the Adirondack Club for 2 years. I also served as Club Editor for the Clubs’ monthly bulletin, receiving awards for “Bulletin of the Year” 3 years in a row and won “Best of Show” for digital format when I published the Bulletin in PDF

Work samples and references available upon request.

The Only thing I regret is that I've been at this since 1970 (really erlier) I'm getting no where fast :cry:

[John1234]

Just one suggestion - take the apostrophe out of "it's"
john

[Sparky]

nag, nag, nag, nag :roll:

opps ops:

yeah that stood out like a sore thumb, thanks, I fixed my original.
"damn it Jim, I'm a doctor not a grammer school teacher…"

[prepress_brillance_43]

Originally Posted by Sparky

The Only thing I regret is that I've been at this since 1970 (really erlier) I'm getting no where fast :cry:

Sparky, if I might interject an outside bystander's perspective...

It sounds like you have had a full career, and accomplished alot, not to mention the fact that ANY shop out there would be lucky to get an employee such as yourself.. however it saddens me that you feel regret for being in this business.. I will admit I have, and continue to, look up to some of the "seasoned" gals and fellers around here(ppf).. your regret makes me 2nd guess my choice of field. I realize this isnt a very rewarding industry, in fact it can be down right ugly, but I also think there are about a million other industries out there that suck much worse. I really hope you land on your feet in an environment that can rejuvenate your spirit. You definitely deserve it. Good luck.