Lots of updates

2026-03-18 23:32:45 -04:00
parent 0e19326bcb
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+---
+name: build-resume
+description: Generate tailored resumes and cover letters for specific job applications using Paul's detailed resume as context
+type: skill
+arguments:
+  - name: job_description
+    description: Job posting text or details (paste job description, link, or brief details)
+    required: true
+output:
+  - resume_md: Customized resume in markdown with YAML metadata
+  - resume_pdf: Compiled PDF resume
+  - cover_letter_md: Customized cover letter in markdown
+  - cover_letter_pdf: Compiled PDF cover letter
+  - job_breakdown_md: Analysis, fit assessment, and strategy notes
+---
+
+# build-resume Skill
+
+Generate tailored resumes and cover letters for specific job applications.
+
+## Quick Start
+
+```
+/build-resume [paste job description or provide details]
+```
+
+## Output Structure
+
+Creates organized directory structure:
+```
+applications/
+└── company-name/
+    └── job-title/
+        ├── paul-halvorsen-resume.md
+        ├── paul-halvorsen-resume.pdf
+        ├── paul-halvorsen-cover-letter.md
+        ├── paul-halvorsen-cover-letter.pdf
+        └── job-breakdown.md (analysis)
+```
+
+Examples: `applications/zapier/backend-engineer/`, `applications/stripe/senior-backend-engineer/`
+
+## YAML Metadata Format
+
+**IMPORTANT:** Use quoted strings for contact info to avoid YAML parsing issues.
+
+### Template
+
+```yaml
+---
+name: Paul Halvorsen
+keywords: key1, key2, key3
+left-column:
+    - "Email: paul.halvorsen@pm.me"
+    - "Phone: +1-410-236-4665"
+right-column:
+    - "GitHub: github.com/malwhile"
+    - "LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paul-halvorsen"
+    - "Blog: flow.halvo.me"
+fontsize: 10pt
+fontenc: T1
+urlcolor: blue
+linkcolor: magenta
+numbersections: false
+---
+```
+
+### Contact Info Guidelines
+- Always include email and phone
+- Include GitHub link
+- Include LinkedIn (preferred over "Remote" keyword)
+- Blog link is optional
+- Do NOT include "Citizen of the United States" in right-column for job resumes
+- Use format: `"Label: value"` (quoted entire string)
+
+## Dates Formatting
+
+Use the `\resumedate{}` macro to make dates smaller than headers:
+
+```markdown
+### Job Title | Company
+\resumedate{**January 2026 – Present**}
+```
+
+## Building PDFs
+
+### Classic Template
+```bash
+make resume FILE_NAME=company/job-title/paul-halvorsen-resume
+make resume FILE_NAME=company/job-title/paul-halvorsen-cover-letter
+```
+
+### Modern Template (Recommended)
+```bash
+make resume-modern FILE_NAME=company/job-title/paul-halvorsen-resume
+make resume-modern FILE_NAME=company/job-title/paul-halvorsen-cover-letter
+```
+
+### Awesome-CV Template
+```bash
+make resume-awesome FILE_NAME=company/job-title/paul-halvorsen-resume
+make resume-awesome FILE_NAME=company/job-title/paul-halvorsen-cover-letter
+```
+
+## Resume Customization Strategy
+
+1. **Lead with relevant technical skills** from job description
+2. **Reorder work experience** (most relevant first)
+3. **Highlight metrics** from roles that match JD requirements
+4. **Frame gaps honestly** in cover letter (e.g., "I haven't worked with X, but...")
+5. **De-emphasize Sr/Staff titles** when applying to mid-level roles
+
+## CRITICAL: No Fabrication Rule
+
+**BLOCKING REQUIREMENT:** All numbers and metrics must come from `paul-halvorsen-resume-detailed.md`.
+
+### Pre-Write Checklist
+For every bullet point with a number:
+- [ ] Is this in `paul-halvorsen-resume-detailed.md`?
+- [ ] If NO: remove it or rephrase without the number
+- [ ] If YES: use the exact number/metric
+
+### Allowed
+- Reordering existing information
+- Reframing for clarity
+- Removing less relevant details
+- Using exact metrics from detailed resume
+
+### Not Allowed
+- Inventing metrics
+- Making up achievements
+- Exaggerating scales or customer counts
+- Creating statistics not documented
+
+### Examples
+- ✓ "Performance improvements: reduced CPU usage ~90%" (IS in detailed resume)
+- ✓ "10 auto-scaling clusters" (IS in detailed resume)
+- ✓ "Customers: thousands of Fortune 500 endpoints" (IS in detailed resume)
+- ❌ "$9 trillion in assets" (NOT in detailed resume)
+- ❌ "40+ engineers" (NOT in detailed resume)
+
+## Cover Letter Approach
+
+- **Be upfront about gaps** (e.g., "I haven't worked professionally with C#")
+- **Emphasize transferable skills** and learning ability
+- **Address company mission** (e.g., travel industry, fintech, etc.)
+- **Frame intentional career moves** (e.g., moving away from on-call work to sustainable roles)
+- Keep tone professional, confident, and honest—not defensive
+
+## Key Clarifications from Paul's Background
+
+### CompTIA Security+ Certification
+- **Status:** Expired 04/04/2024 (no longer active)
+- **Note:** Do NOT list as active in resumes
+
+### NSA Experience - Database Scale
+- **Database:** Thousands of records (not hundreds of thousands)
+- Use in resume: "thousands of records" or similar
+
+### Language Learning Capability
+- Paul has mastered 5+ languages (Rust, Python, C, GoLang, Java)
+- Use when applying to roles with unfamiliar tech stacks
+- Frame as evidence of quick learning ability
+
+### Tech Stack Preferences
+- **Primary:** Backend, systems programming, security
+- **Secondary:** Full-stack if learning opportunity (new languages/frameworks)
+- **Avoid:** Emphasis on junior mentoring, heavy management
+
+## ATS Optimization
+
+- Aim for 75-85% keyword match with job description
+- Include role-specific technologies in skills section
+- Use exact terminology from JD where possible
+- Avoid creative formatting that breaks ATS parsing
+
+## Application Workflow
+
+1. Use `/build-resume [job description]` to generate customized documents
+2. Review job-breakdown.md for fit assessment and strategy
+3. Update applications_tracker.md to log the application
+4. Build PDFs using appropriate template
+5. Verify position on company careers page
+6. Submit through company site (not job board)
+7. Connect with hiring manager on LinkedIn
+
+## File Locations
+
+- **Resume source:** `/home/paul/Public/resume/paul-halvorsen-resume-detailed.md`
+- **This skill:** `/home/paul/Public/resume/.claude/skills/build-resume/`
+- **Workflow guide:** `/home/paul/Public/resume/.claude/skills/build-resume/BUILD-RESUME-WORKFLOW.md`
+- **Job boards:** `/home/paul/Public/resume/JOB-BOARDS-TO-SEARCH.md`
+- **LinkedIn guide:** `/home/paul/Public/resume/LINKEDIN-OPTIMIZATION.md`
+- **Job search dashboard:** `/home/paul/Public/resume/job_search.html`
+- **Application tracker:** `/home/paul/.claude/projects/-home-paul-Public-resume/memory/applications_tracker.md`
+
+## Notes for Implementation
+
+- Update `paul-halvorsen-resume-detailed.md` with any role clarifications (scale, tech, responsibilities)
+- Detailed resume serves as source of truth for customized versions
+- LinkedIn URL: linkedin.com/in/paul-halvorsen (without https://)
+- GitHub URL: github.com/malwhile
+- Email: paul.halvorsen@pm.me
+- Phone: +1-410-236-4665