# build-resume Skill

Local project skill for generating tailored resumes and cover letters for job applications.

## Files in This Directory

- **skill.md** — Skill definition, documentation, and guidelines
- **BUILD-RESUME-WORKFLOW.md** — Step-by-step workflow and checklists
- **YAML-TEMPLATE.md** — Copy-paste YAML metadata template with examples
- **README.md** — This file

## Quick Start

```
/build-resume [paste job description or provide details]
```

## How to Use

### Automatic (Recommended)
```
/build-resume [job description]
```

The skill will:
1. Check for duplicate applications (prevents re-applying to same role)
2. Create directory structure: `company/position/`
3. Generate customized resume and cover letter
4. Create job analysis with fit assessment and strategy
5. Build PDFs automatically

### Manual
1. Create `company/position/` directory
2. Copy YAML template from `YAML-TEMPLATE.md`
3. Customize resume and cover letter markdown files
4. Build PDFs with make commands

See `BUILD-RESUME-WORKFLOW.md` for detailed steps and checklists.

## Key Files and Locations

```
/home/paul/Public/resume/
├── paul-halvorsen-resume-detailed.md    ← Source of truth for all facts
├── JOB-BOARDS-TO-SEARCH.md              ← Where to find job postings
├── LINKEDIN-OPTIMIZATION.md             ← Profile optimization guide
├── job_search.html                      ← Job dashboard (35+ positions)
├── .gitignore                           ← Includes applications/
├── .claude/
│   └── skills/
│       └── build-resume/                ← This skill
│           ├── skill.md
│           ├── BUILD-RESUME-WORKFLOW.md
│           ├── YAML-TEMPLATE.md
│           └── README.md (you are here)
└── applications/                        ← All job applications (not committed)
    └── [company]/
        └── [position]/
            ├── paul-halvorsen-resume.md
            ├── paul-halvorsen-resume.pdf
            ├── paul-halvorsen-cover-letter.md
            ├── paul-halvorsen-cover-letter.pdf
            └── job-breakdown.md
```

## Important Rules

### ⚠️ No Fabrication
**All numbers and metrics must come from `paul-halvorsen-resume-detailed.md`**

Examples of violations:
- ❌ "$9 trillion in assets" (not in detailed resume)
- ❌ "40+ engineers" (not in detailed resume)
- ✓ "10 auto-scaling K8s clusters" (IS in detailed resume)
- ✓ "90% CPU reduction" (IS in detailed resume)

### YAML Formatting
- All contact info must be quoted: `"Email: paul.halvorsen@pm.me"`
- Keywords are comma-separated
- Use exact contact info (no variations)

### Cover Letter
- Be honest about gaps ("I haven't worked with X, but...")
- Address company mission
- Focus on transferable skills
- Professional and authentic tone

## Template Selection

| Template | Best For |
|----------|----------|
| `jb2resume-modern` | Tech companies, startups |
| `jb2resume` | Traditional industries |
| `awesome-cv` | Growth-stage startups |

## Workflow

1. Find job posting (see `JOB-BOARDS-TO-SEARCH.md`)
2. Use `/build-resume [description]`
3. Review job-breakdown.md for fit and strategy
4. Customize resume/cover letter if needed
5. Verify position on company careers page
6. Apply directly on company website
7. Connect with hiring manager on LinkedIn

## Making Changes

To update skill documentation:
1. Edit files in this directory: `/home/paul/Public/resume/.claude/skills/build-resume/`
2. Changes are local to this project
3. Git will track changes to `.claude/skills/`

## Need Help?

- **Workflow steps?** See `BUILD-RESUME-WORKFLOW.md`
- **YAML format?** See `YAML-TEMPLATE.md`
- **Full skill docs?** See `skill.md`
- **Detailed background?** See `/home/paul/Public/resume/paul-halvorsen-resume-detailed.md`

---

**Last Updated:** March 18, 2026