Would the Elsmar Cove be on your CV / Resume?

[Manix]

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!

[Paul Simpson]

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.

In Reply to Parent Post by BradM

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 ) 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!

In Reply to Parent Post by BradM

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!

[Jennifer Kirley]

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 Simpson]

In Reply to Parent Post by AndyN

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!

In Reply to Parent Post by AndyN

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:

1. I haven't got the patience
2. It would restrict my ability to "go after" some of the muddy thinkers that occasionally pontificate here.

In Reply to Parent Post by AndyN

(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!

[Sidney Vianna]

In Reply to Parent Post by Paul Simpson

It would restrict my ability to "go after" some of the muddy thinkers that occasionally pontificate here. !

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.
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...

[BradM]

In Reply to Parent Post by Paul Simpson

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!

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.

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.

In Reply to Parent Post by Sidney Vianna

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. I wish that all remember that is a fine distinction, but is nonetheless accurate.

[Wes Bucey]

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]?"

[António Vieira]

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...