Hi. In my idle moments when I think about getting out of consultancy / certification / training and going back into industry (taking the Queen's shilling or company equivalent) I often think about the cv / resume and about putting a link to the Cove for any prospective employer to have a look at what I have done / written - what do you think - a good idea?

Great question, Paul :applause:

I have put in my CV about my Cove participation very prominently ;)

Very interesting... I was actually updating my resume / CV the other day and came across the same dilema... I think it´s a great idea and will do it as soon as I click on "SUBMIT REPLY"

I think maybe the link should go to our individual USER CP´s... but then will the future boss have to register to see our CP ? But then again, the CP is ours and no one can see ours... hehe... so I guess we´d have to supply our USERNAME and the person would have to look us up...

Hi. In my idle moments when I think about getting out of consultancy / certification / training and going back into industry (taking the Queen's shilling or company equivalent) I often think about the cv / resume and about putting a link to the Cove for any prospective employer to have a look at what I have done / written - what do you think - a good idea?

Hi Paul,

Your willingness and ability to help others around the world says a lot about you and your professionalism. I would certainly mention this in a Curriculum Vitae/Resume. Great idea.

Stijloor.

Let's face it, a skillful job applicant can put on a false front and if he had done sufficient homework, can create that 'halo' effect and fool even the seasoned interviewer.

Reading through people's post over a period of time, you can make good judgments on many issues - the quality of contents, consistency or just flashes of brilliance, temperaments, ideas and thinking process, communication skills, maturity level and much more.

Great idea but perhaps you may want to reserve it for that critical final round.

Interesting question! I've moved this thread to "Occupation Discussions" Forum - we want to leave the "Seeking Employment" Forum strictly for those who are trolling for a new position. (We also close those after the original poster to prevent some unfriendly guy posting a nasty.")

It is a good question. I would think part of it would depend. Primarily, what qualifications are the employer looking for?

For a teaching position, I think a link to the Cove is a superb idea. You have always been very helpful, and they generally admire original thought and challenging the status quo.

However, it might depend for an employer. As with every other Cover, you freely speak your mind about things. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that; you would just want to make sure there was nothing that would "turn off" a potential employer. They would form impressions by what they read; you just hope they are good ones.

Again, that is not a criticism to you or anyone else here. I'm just saying you might want to stroll your history here and think what impression that would leave for a potential employer.

I think maybe a stronger suit might be the quality documents you have written. You have done some nice work.:)

Paul:
Having just gone through the same situation - I'm actually going to have a regular daytime job (!) I have put my moderator's role on my resume/CV. I think it is an important 'volunteer' activity that many put (much) time into without monetary compensation.

(BTW - My shillings are worth a lot these days, judging by the exchange rate!)

It's a great idea and I have used it on my application for my masters (I got an unconditional offer!). I would certainly think of putting on my CV for employment in the future, but I would ensure there was nothing in any of my posts that may put the perspective employer off! For example, many of my earlier posts were questions that now I know off the top of my head as the learning curve progresses.

I don't think any employer has the time to trawl through hundreds (and in some cases thousands of posts), so I think the value may lie in simply referencing the cove URL. That would give them an idea of the kind of place this is (a very professionally orientated one!) and the value participants could gain from it. Perhaps you could even include a post count... say

"I regularly participate in an online discussion forum (http://elsmar.com/forums) discussing business and quality management principals with fellow professionals from around the world, contributing XXX posts to date."

Just a thought of one way of doing it!

Thanks, Brad for your kind comments. Aside from my own needs and wants there is a general point about all posts on the cove I should like to raise.
However, it might depend for an employer. As with every other Cover, you freely speak your mind about things. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that; you would just want to make sure there was nothing that would "turn off" a potential employer. They would form impressions by what they read; you just hope they are good ones. Now I am a little old fashioned (or is it naive :lol:) about the interview process. If I were seriously interested in applying for a new job I would want to be sure of being a good fit in the organization and would want them to see how I work and think - hence the idea of a link to the Cove.

So if they don't like what I write here then we are not suited - so the link has actually worked by keeping us from working together! :D

Again, that is not a criticism to you or anyone else here. I'm just saying you might want to stroll your history here and think what impression that would leave for a potential employer. Point taken in the spirit it was given.A couple of general points:
I don't post anything I don't believe in
I won't exaggerate experience to get a job


So for that reason all my disconnected ramblings are me, "warts and all," as Cromwell said.

I do accept that some of the heated posts / threads might need a bit of explanation! :lmao:

I don't list it on the resume, but am ready to describe it during the interview as a volunteer activity, and have done so, especially when answering the question of how I stayed up with the QA times while working in education.

Paul:
Having just gone through the same situation - I'm actually going to have a regular daytime job (!) Best of luck, Andy. I hope it works out for you - I do have to say at this point the OP was a hypothetical "if " - I can carry on doing this until the cows come home ..... or the chickens come home to roost! :lol:
I have put my moderator's role on my resume/CV. I think it is an important 'volunteer' activity that many put (much) time into without monetary compensation. Good for you. I'd just like to add I feel all (or at least most ;)) moderators do a fantastic job. I'd love to do it but feel I couldn't for two reasons:
I haven't got the patience
It would restrict my ability to "go after" some of the muddy thinkers that occasionally pontificate here. :mg:


(BTW - My shillings are worth a lot these days, judging by the exchange rate!)It hasn't been the same since we went decimal, you know. The Queen's 5p doesn't have the same ring to it!

It would restrict my ability to "go after" some of the muddy thinkers that occasionally pontificate here. !:lmao:You were doing so well.....

Here at the Cove, no one is allowed to chase muddy thinkers. We are only allowed to go after the muddy thoughts. Remember, we "attack" (for lack of a better word) ideas, not their proponents.
http://elsmar.com/gif/back-to-topic.gif I think the idea of referencing one's participation at The Cove in their CV's/resumes is a good one, but, like everything else in life has a degree of risk. Some potential employers could fear bringing on board an employee that could (voluntarily or not) expose some of the organization's dysfunctions in front of a worldwide audience, creating a threat to their cherished brand.

All in all, participating actively at The Cove exposes a lot of your professional beliefs, experience, etc... Exposing oneself can bring rewards, but it is always a risk...:tg:

Now I am a little old fashioned about the interview process. If I were seriously interested in applying for a new job I would want to be sure of being a good fit in the organization and would want them to see how I work and think - hence the idea of a link to the Cove.

So if they don't like what I write here then we are not suited - so the link has actually worked by keeping us from working together! :D

Point taken in the spirit it was given.A couple of general points:

I don't post anything I don't believe in
I won't exaggerate experience to get a job

Point again well taken. I agree with you BTW. But... sometimes getting through the gate is more than an idealistic process. I would just hate for someone to get the wrong impression by something I wrote. Too, if I was really deperate for a job, I would want everything to be perfect.:tg:

What you might consider is providing links to your "better" threads. These would be the ones where your expertise shown through. Also, provide links to "thanking" posts, showing how you were a help. Interviewing is a sales job; make yourself look good.


Here at the Cove, no one is allowed to chase muddy thinkers. We are only allowed to go after the muddy thoughts. Remember, we "attack" (for lack of a better word) ideas, not their proponents.


Sidney, I for one thank you very much for this one.:yes: I wish that all remember that is a fine distinction, but is nonetheless accurate.

Good, thoughtful responses so far!

I'm pretty sure I have written on at least ONE occasion that once let loose on the internet, a comment takes on a life of its own. Those of us who use our real names versus an anonymous screen name are always subject to lookup via google or some other search engine. For instance, I googled "paul simpson" +quality and got 34,500 hits just now. I'm not awake enough to check even the first 100 to see if they are ALL "our" PS but someone motivated "might' take the effort to check out which, if any, tracked back to "our" PS.

So, the point is, if you are identifiable in your posts, it won't make any difference whether you tell them up front or not, a prospective employer will probably google you just to see what you put forth for public consumption, and draw his own conclusion.

I suggest merely identifying some specific urls for posts of yours which may be very applicable to the prospective employer and the kind of position you are seeking rather than just flatly saying,"Check me out at the Cove." That way, the prospect will know you are walking the talk rather than just feeding him a line of smoke.

You can segue into it by saying, "I once suggested a course of action for someone in a similar situation to yours. Why not take a look at what I wrote back in May of 2006 at [url address]?"

Excellent idea!
I always refer ASQ senior membership as an important issue in my resume, but in fact I have to consider that the participation on the Cove is much more interesting for any Quality person.
Unfortunately ASQ is well known here in my country, but The Elsmar Cove Web site, isn’t..., yet...
:(

Paul - I would suggest that you check out the Resume podcasts at http://www.manager-tools.com, and if you do decide to go for a job purchasing the Interviewing series.

From their advice, and my experience, I would not put it on my Resume - but would be prepared to talk about it and give a URL at an interview.

Here at the Cove, no one is allowed to chase muddy thinkers. We are only allowed to go after the muddy thoughts. Remember, we "attack" (for lack of a better word) ideas, not their proponents.
Spot on, Sidney. Again one thing you will, I hope, have seen on my "contribution" is that it is reasoned - so if there is an isolated "muddy thought" I try and question the OP first to check my understanding.

The problem with going after muddy thoughts is they often lead back to muddy thinkers. :lol:

I'm pretty sure I have written on at least ONE occasion that once let loose on the internet, a comment takes on a life of its own. Those of us who use our real names versus an anonymous screen name are always subject to lookup via google or some other search engine. For instance, I googled "paul simpson" +quality and got 34,500 hits just now. I'm not awake enough to check even the first 100 to see if they are ALL "our" PS but someone motivated "might' take the effort to check out which, if any, tracked back to "our" PS.

So, the point is, if you are identifiable in your posts, it won't make any difference whether you tell them up front or not, a prospective employer will probably google you just to see what you put forth for public consumption, and draw his own conclusion.



Wes comments above about real v's anonymous screen names have made me think. Are those of us working for large corporate machines more likely to be anonymous than those who are self-employed consultants or otherwise ?!

I know I prefer to post (anywhere on the web) safe in the knowledge that only people who know my screen name can identify me. I do not want someone in a corporate office scrutinizing my opinions and making judgements.

Am I paranoid? Maybe but judging by the extent of anonymity on this site, I am not alone.

Wes comments above about real v's anonymous screen names have made me think. Are those of us working for large corporate machines more likely to be anonymous than those who are self-employed consultants or otherwise ?!

I know I prefer to post (anywhere on the web) safe in the knowledge that only people who know my screen name can identify me. I do not want someone in a corporate office scrutinizing my opinions and making judgements.

Am I paranoid? Maybe but judging by the extent of anonymity on this site, I am not alone.It's not paranoid to think folks are out to "deep six" your career when there actually ARE folks who seek to do exactly that.

As a descendant of French Huguenots who came to the Americas during the Protestant Diaspora of 1687, I am acutely aware of a quote of Cardinal Richelieu (the villain in the Three Musketeers stories):
If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him.
Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu, Political Figure / Religious Figure
Born: 9 September 1585
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: 4 December 1642
Best Known As: The power behind the throne of Louis XIIIName at birth: Armand-Jean du Plessis
A bright child, Armand-Jean du Plessis studied theology as a teen and at the young age of 21 was appointed Bishop of Lucon. In 1622 he was made a cardinal and from there rose to become head of the Royal Council and prime minister of France. King Louis XIII was a weak ruler and Richelieu filled the void, more or less running the empire via his advice to the king. A clever politician and strategist, Richelieu expanded royal power, punished dissent harshly, and built France into a great European power. At the same time he supported the arts and learning and founded the famous French Academy. Novelist Alexandre Dumas (http://www.answers.com/topic/alexandre-dumas) made Richelieu a crafty villain in his 1844 book The Three Musketeers, and Richelieu's name has since become synonymous with political intrigue and ambitious power "behind the throne."
Richelieu is also called the Red Eminence, or in French L'Eminence Rouge.

Am I paranoid? Maybe but judging by the extent of anonymity on this site, I am not alone.It's not paranoid to think folks are out to "deep six" your career when there actually ARE folks who seek to do exactly that.Maybe it is because I have not been burnt yet, but I refuse to allow fear to dominate my actions. Concerning identifying oneself here at The Cove or any other public exchange blogs: Since day one when I joined the Cove, the fact that I knew my identity was out in the open, forced me to think twice before posting certain controversial answers because I knew it could be spun, twisted and misused against me. So, if you openly identify yourself in a media such as this, you should force thyself to be very careful on what AND how you post your messages. Conversely, I feel little inclination to engage in dialogue with Covers shrouded in secrecy. I think most of the respected contributors to this forum have their identities well known.

Am I paranoid?
No, you are not. I knew about at least one man, fired for the post he has made on a forum. However, he made the mistake, to adress critics to the management stile in his company on that forum, without thinking that somebody will read from his company. He was mistaken.
I have made as well, in the past a mistake, by asking to share some procedures and putting my company mail as adress as contact. In a few days I was in front of my managing director, who was attentioned from corporate level.
With my poor english, and as a naiv beginner in forum ethics, I didn't explain exactly that I wasn't mean to share company confidential procedures, just free resources to them, or to articles based on which you can put together your's.
I think as well that there is a learning curve in networking on forums, and being young or newby most of us have made mistakes in postings, we would not repeat it again.
By the way, in 1996 when this forum was up and running I even didn't hear about this kind of possibilities in Eastern Europe. :(
Br
György

I didn't expect a thread on something like putting the Cove on a resume. I think this is a bit tangental to the discussion: Online Nicknames Google better than Real? (http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/11/24/131213)

I'd say it depends on who you are targeting the resume towards. If the target company has a considerable internet presence, perhaps even with discussion boards themselves, it would be worth listing moderator duties at the Cove. I have listed my moderator duties at ASQ on resumes, especially biographies supplied for speaking at conferences.

On anonymity, I've chosen not to try for anonymity as I figure there always is someone whole figure it out. I figure it is best to operate "in the open". A few years ago, I did have a manager (about six managers ago) who was concerned with responses I was giving on the Deming Electronic Network (I was open in volunteering them to him). He did try to get me fired for "insubordination" (not related specifically to the DEN, but I assume it was part of the underlying issue). The charge didn't stick.

Off topic also, but our company as a government contractor does have to get public release for information put out in conferences and articles. I've ended up incorporating a lot of stories into the presentations, and they've been cleared through the lawyers et al, so I feel more safe when I relate them here.

FWIW:
A suggestion for those who use screen names (even when you use your own name) and DO often write meaningful and worthwhile posts:
Create a free website at Yahoo or the like and copy some of your PERTINENT posts from various discussion boards into that website and give THAT url to a prospective employer as a representative sample of the range and depth of your knowledge and communication skills.

Folks like Steve Prevette contribute good stuff to multiple sites, but ferreting them all out is a chore (and Steve "might not" be eager to to display some of the posts where he has vented and railed against the ASQ dweebs who prostitute the entire ASQ for the sake of Mikel Harry, the founder and chief executive officer of the Six Sigma Academy, Inc.;))

Obviously,you should have a good introduction as to how and why those posts (and your relationships to the various websites where they originally appeared) are pertinent to that organization and your quest for being hired by them.

Folks like Steve Prevette contribute good stuff to multiple sites, but ferreting them all out is a chore (and Steve "might not" be eager to to display some of the posts where he has vented and railed against the ASQ dweebs who prostitute the entire ASQ for the sake of Mikel Harry, the founder and chief executive officer of the Six Sigma Academy, Inc. ;) )


Thanks, Wes, for the compliment.

:topic::cool:Actually I am rather proud of those posts and don't mind leaving them as my "internet legacy". Yes, it would make things interesting if I ever applied for a job at a "six sigma company" - but I hope it never comes to that for more reasons than one.:notme:

I don't know if I'd put it on my resume as I find there are stil a lot of people out there who are not open minded about internet usage, even in a professional capacity, from work.
During the course of an interview I would judge whether to bring it up or not.