Help out a Young Audiophile


This may seem pathetic, but I don't think so. I am a young audiophile with a decent Mcintosh and B&W based system. I have been buying and upgrading my equipment all through college and doing the best I can with my measly income from dishwashing. (Bringing the term "getting your hands dirty to reality)Well I'm now 22 and about to graduate and NEED A JOB! and a SACD player hahah Just joking uhhh well maybe not! Im very active on Audiogon but not too sure if this has been done before but here is my resume! Anyone got a job for me?

Adam David Wexler
10 Andover Terrace, Glen Rock, NJ, 07452
311 South Aurora Street, Apt 1. Ithaca, NY, 14850
Home Phone: Ithaca - 607- 273-3793 New Jersey - 201- 445-1886
Email Awexler1@IC3.ithaca.edu

OBJECTIVE
I desire a position in which I can utilize my creativity and personality with my superior interpersonal skills. My unique experiences, interests and studies have given me a strong understanding of people and our society as well as the media’s around us. I strive to apply my strong work ethic to a position in the entertainment or advertising industry and have the opportunity to share what I have to offer to the industry.

WORK HISTORY
July -September 2000 Site Coordinator, M3 Marketing
Traveled with the Montruex Jazz Festival to twenty major cities promoting the sponsor Oldsmobile. I was involved in strategizing placement of displays and all other media. I was also in charge of directing the hired talent as well as promoting the sponsor myself. I also helped to organize meet and greets between the musical talent and concert patrons. This job required me to work 18 hour days for 5-7 day stretches. This job required the ability to work under stress, and time constraints. Strong creativity and problem solving was crucial as well as communication and promotional skills.

May-July 2000 Publicity Intern, Island Def Jam Records
Assistant to the president of publicity along with other publicists. Responsible for multiple tasks. Daily tasks included, making and mailing artist press kits and occasionally press kits for the president and vice president of Island Def Jam, Searching media for artist coverage and sending it to the artists via fax, mail or messenger, Filing, basic video dubbing and editing, contacting print media’s and inviting them to events and concerts and finalizing ticket reserve lists, Everyday I was also responsible for compiling any media coverage of the Universal Music group and their artists and distributing it to the office. I mainly worked on Bon Jovi, Sisqo, Def Leopard, Willie Nelson, Along with many other up and coming artists. On a rare occasion I was an extra for a Bon Jovi appearance on Late Night With David Letterman. This internship required me to work in a high stress environment, that stressed deadlines, perfection and creativity.

May-July 2000 Appointment Setter, Perfect Match
This was a part-time evening position. I was in charge of setting appointments for a dating service. Main tasks were to promote the companies services and make sales. This job stressed interpersonal and phone skills as well as strong sales and manipulative skills.

Summer 1998- Winter 2001 Salesperson, Phone Operator, Repairs, Campmor Retail
I seasonally worked at the retail store as a sales person in the survival department selling camping survival needs. I advised and taught customers on outdoor survival and gear. I was also involved in repairing equipment. I often was the phone operator for the store. This job required extreme interpersonal skills, problem solving, and customer service skills.

EDUCATION
Glen Rock High School, 1997
BA Sociology, Concentration Institutions and Organizations, Ithaca College, 2001

INTERESTS & ACTIVITIES
 Ithaca College Comedy Club
 Film writing and acting for Ithaca college Film majors
 Besides my Sociological studies I have taken extensive classes in, Photography, Art, Audio, Computers, and in the Communications Field.
 I also designed several promotional concert bills for local bands.
awexla
Hi, Adam. I know your post is probably well intended, and I may seem a bit of a curmudgeon being critical, but I think your post is really inappropriate. This forum is for audio hobbyists, and the objective is to provide help with audio questions, not with job-hunting requests. The Internet has a vast number of positions and companies listed, which is where you should be looking. I fully understand the need to find a job, but this approach is nearly as annoying as opening your home E-mail account and finding it clogged with spam. Speaking for myself, I reacted to your resume posting the same way I would spam, which I'm sure is not the response you want to get. Find another venue, please...
Hell, I am a curmudgeon, so what the heck: As an employer, I would have thrown your resume into the circular file after reading your nebulous "Objective," especially your use of the word "media's." "Media" is plural. And, on top of that, the possessive case just underscores your inability to communicate at the requisite high level demanded by the businesses in which you seek to be employed. Moral: If you post here, expect feedback--negative as well as positive.
I appreciate your negative comments and constructive criticism. I deeply apologize to anyone offended and or bothered by my positing. My intentions were not to waste anyone’s time or create turmoil. If anyone is deeply offended, email Audiogon to have the posting removed, or me kicked off (if your resentment is that strong). As most people know by now getting jobs is about having connections. I personally feel that I have a connection to the audiophile community, in some ways like a fraternity but without the drinking games and girls. I figured that people would feel the same. Does anyone? Thank you and sorry to those who are offended -Adam
Adam:
It takes guts and grit to get the right job. Good on ya for trying. I just don't know what kind of job you'd get here. Maybe cleaning all of Albertporter's gear? Good luck in your search.
Awexla,
When I saw the subject in new threads, I expected to see a request for help or ideas on an audio question. I was surprised to see what it held.
While shamelessly posting resumes on an audiophile site does show poor judgment, I hope that you can learn some things from this experience.
From reading your resume, I have no idea what you are qualified to do or want to do.
I would be careful of using words like “manipulation skills”. Influencing skills are more appropriate in the business world.

I understand that you are a student and have not had the opportunity to develop a long work history, but I would also think twice about stating EVERY job that I had. If I were a hiring manager, I would not be impressed the dating service job. I would leave it off.

You need to think about what the JOB is that you want and tailor your resume to show the skills needed for that job.

What are those skills? Homework and research is needed. Are they teamwork, strong communication, both oral and written, good judgment, and/or high initiative, or others? You need to be prepared to site examples to demonstrate those skills.

Try to stay away from words that are too superlative, words like extreme. Extreme may be replaced with a word like strong. Your grammar is too casual for a resume and needs work. The framework is there, but the format needs work.

Have you been out to some resume sites to get some ideas on wording and format?

I review tons of resumes and hope that you appreciate the time that I have given you to think about what you want to accomplish. You have spent years in school and I wanted to acknowledge that effort and offer any help to you landing “that” job that you really want.
Good luck to you.
Regards-
Well right now I am between jobs and will take just about anything that comes thru the door but in ligh of Dekay's offer if something comes along that I don't want I'll send it in your direction. I hope you get back on your feet soon best wishes Tim
Hey folks, back off a little. Its a little (maybe a lot unconventional) but give the guy a break. It takes some guts to put yourself out there and while this is probably not the best forum (little humor to defuse angry crowd) I don't think "it is a capital offense" (humorous musical reference to calm the savage breast). And getting a job is often about connections. Adam, take Angela's comments seriously and good luck.
Tireguy, I hope you get back on your feet soon. You can't 'work' all the time, can you?!!
Guys ! Lighten UP! If you have a problem with the post click the left button on your mouse! I think you should get the book "Asher's Bible of Executive resumes" or similar , it can really help . Then go to WWW.kennedyinfo.com to purchase a list of recuiters in your area of the country & interest. Don't let the negative comments bring you down . People who are innovators appreciate people who are innovative . You want to work for someone who will help you build upon your experience with training etc.
Hello Adam First I want to say that you must have felt comfortable in posting your thread because you felt you were amoung the frat phile community and that's fine. So many times I have read that the bizz needs people like yourself to keep this hobby going. Second while this may not be the place to forward your skills there are many other sites where you can place your experience and schooling with much more postive results. Lastly Adam I want to close by saying the best of luck in your search, continue to follow your dream, and stay focused. Peace!
Jmcgrogan2, I don't think that "tired guy" works on his feet, anyway. Tim, your post in another thread was so funny and has lead to many fun comments - all in jest :-) thanks
Adam, if your post proves anything it is that resumes don't work!!! Not one job offer from all of the readers, not even an interview. If you think that mailing resumes to people like this if an effective use of your time and money, think again. Use your superior interpersonal skills and network, network, and network some more. If you are truly ambitious why not start your own business? A friend borrowed $60k, started a bagel manufacturing business at your age and today, 20 years later, he is worth 3 to 4 million. How many of the readers on this site have this kind of dough? (pun intended) How obstinate and unthinking of these people to tell you your grammar is unsatisfactory and therefore you are unemployable. Their posts speak volumes, more than they would ever be willing to disclose. By the way, your mother told me to post this. Happy Pesach.
I said NOTHING about being unemployable! I was refering to getting an interview! Give me a break! I offered real advice. Yours? One person?
If you want to come to NH I can hire you as a construction laborer. We have NHT outdoor one's and a Nad integrated in the tool trailer.
Since A-gon has been turned into a resume psting/critiquing forum. What we all REALLY want to read is Tireguy's resume;-)
I'm a Career Counselor at a 24K student campus. See your Career Counseling Services Office; information interview with people in jobs-companies you like; discover what the "entry-level" slot typically are for your areas of interest and the preferred backgrounds (if any) of these entry level slots. Bill Schaffer, author of High Tech Jobs for Low Tech People, said "Get you feet in the front door anyway possible (eg., customer service, admin asst, janitor)" which helps you from being an "outsider" to "insider".
Several comments come to mind:

*Angela hit the nail on the head. I, too, came to this thread expecting something very different and was disappointed to see it was yet another marketing ploy. A bit different since the product is human, but certainly off the mark for the venue. As a hiring manager I'd actually be reluctant interview someone after what I believe was a violation of propriety. There's already too many rude people in my line of work.

*Jwongl gives very good advice. That is exactly how I got into high tech sales 20 years ago. Started working in the warehouse, wrangled my way into customer service and eventually into sales. Moved to software ~18 years ago and it's been a wild ride ever since. I personally know several others took a similar path and *none* of us has much of an education!

*I really don't care to see Tireguy's resume, though the actual work might be a different story depending on the cast...
Oh my lord what have I done...... Well some of my featured films include "Attack of the Zombie Gang Bang", "The Bone Collector" and I had a quick appearence on "San Fernando Jones and the Temple of Poon" (just kidding I have not been in any of those). I guess the gig is up, it is time for me to reveal my real identity......I work at the little tire shop on the prairie and in fact my life is incredibly boring except when I do things like this to make it more enjoyable. This was all a joke and I hope some of you laughed and enjoyed my coments as much as I did and if you were offended in any way.....grow up. Tim the Tire Guy:-)
Adam listen to Angela’s very wise counsel. I for one applaud your original initiative, however inappropriate and hope that for all the hoopla it caused will attract attention in helping you achieve your objective. The best of luck to you young man.
I suggest you go to the library or a book store and get the book "What color is your parachute" by Richard Bowels. It has been best selling book on choosing a carreer and finding work you like for over a quarter of a century. (I used it in 1975 when I was getting out of MBA school, and again in 1998 when I shifted carreers.) It will tell you just about everything you need to know, but you have to do the work yourself, of course. Best of luck. Get the book!!
Wow,

After receiving the first two postings I feared hostility against me and started to worry about the fact that I posted my personal information on the string. Now that I have received such a great response I am now getting the feedback and encouragement that I hoped for from our community of friends and enthusiasts. The resume that I did post is a more inclusive copy that I have to use when presenting my CV with no cover letter. Anyone have any comments on my work experience? While I have everyone’s attention why not critique my system? Here it goes ..... Mcintosh c-36 preamp Mcintosh 7100 amp, B&W 602 II’s (bi-wired), Pioneer pd 65 Trans, and a Conrad Johnson Da2b DAC, all connections excluding DAC and Transport are Mid priced Monster Cable. (Monster ain’t the best but all I could afford) The Pd-65 and CJ combo actually sounds like cramp and I hope to upgrade to a Sony 777 when I have the funds. I have also been dreaming to upgrade to a Mac amp with meters just for the sheer sexiness of them and a bit more power, but unfortunately the newer ones (even used (which is all I ever buy)) are too costly for me now and the older models are a bit outdated. As for the pre-amp I would love a newer model too but can’t afford one. Lastly wouldn’t Nautilus 604’s be nice!?! Well as you can see I have a big wish list! No wonder I’m going to extremes to get a job!
Wow,

After receiving the first two postings I feared hostility against me and started to worry about the fact that I posted my personal information on the string. Now that I have received such a great response I am now getting the feedback and encouragement that I hoped for from our community of friends and enthusiasts. The resume that I did post is a more inclusive copy that I have to use when presenting my CV with no cover letter. Anyone have any comments on my work experience? While I have everyone’s attention why not critique my system? Here it goes ..... Mcintosh c-36 preamp Mcintosh 7100 amp, B&W 602 II’s (bi-wired), Pioneer pd 65 Trans, and a Conrad Johnson Da2b DAC, all connections excluding DAC and Transport are Mid priced Monster Cable. (Monster ain’t the best but all I could afford) The Pd-65 and CJ combo actually sounds like cramp and I hope to upgrade to a Sony 777 when I have the funds. I have also been dreaming to upgrade to a Mac amp with meters just for the sheer sexiness of them and a bit more power, but unfortunately the newer ones (even used (which is all I ever buy)) are too costly for me now and the older models are a bit outdated. As for the pre-amp I would love a newer model too but can’t afford one. Lastly wouldn’t Nautilus 604’s be nice!?! Well as you can see I have a big wish list! No wonder I’m going to extremes to get a job!
Tireguy, did you at least see those movies??? Nevermind, I really don't want to know.
Awexla, I admire your "moxie" I doubt that I spelled it right, but you know what I mean. You'll do well in life in you can ask and receive feedback (even stuff that you don't want to hear). We usually don't figure out how to do that until our 40's. :-)
And here I thought he was called Tireguy because the rubber hit the road...

Actually, Tireguy gave away his true profession long ago.

Uh, OK, I'll stop now.
The endless saga of...well...me I think it is really cool that you guys think that I am that interesting, but alas I am actually very boring(ask my last few ex-girlfriends). And David I have never seen that film is it available on DVD?? Lets get down to brass tacks, despite my clowning around have you learned anything from this Awexla? I did not mean do steal the show but it seemed entertaining, and can you sweep floors and change tires? I am willing to pay you like an illegal imigrant around $5 per week maybe more if you do a good job, just kidding! Good luck with the hunt and I will stop my screwing around now. It's been real it's been fun but it has not been real fun.
If you ever feel the need to start of with, 'this may seem pathetic...' don't do it.
your wish to make your resume "stand out" by applying off the beaten track (i.e. e-cruiters, recruiters, and/or directly), I was also surprised at your post...
Also am not clear as to what exactly (position) tickles your fancy in the communications industry, why, and how you relate to it...

As a recruiter (in Europe: not very helpful in your quest)I dare say many posters above have offered excellent -- outstanding -- advice that many other young applicants only obtain through hands-on experience. So your thread has borne its fruit, after all.

As suggested, define what you want to do clearly. Don't leave people guessing: chances are, they will not.

Rewrite yr resume and remove ALL unsubstiated assertions, be specific (read Angela100's post VERY carefully, also Estrnad & others), correct your syntax...: a well written resume, as you have guessed, WILL make the difference.

Your resume should be a brief reflection of YOURSELF, easy to read and grasp by receiving party(ies).

Lastly, do visit kennedyinfo.com, download all e-cruiting sites and off-line recruiters' particulars; target SPECIFIC corps & orgs, rather than the industry as a whole, and SEND YOUR REVISED resume. Become the USPS' and your ISP's best customer for now. And do visit the college counsellor (if haven't already) and check out professional recruiters in your area, too. The answer to your quest may be around your physical corner...
IMO, patience and perseverance will get you there.
Good luck!