resume/CLAUDE.md

CLAUDE.md

This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.

Project Overview

This is a resume builder using Pandoc to convert Markdown resumes with YAML metadata to PDF via LaTeX templates. The build process is containerized using Podman (Docker alternative) for reproducibility and portability.

Build and Development Commands

Directory Structure: Resumes are organized by company in subdirectories for easy management:

.
├── paul-halvorsen-resume.md          (default/main resume)
├── paul-halvorsen-resume-detailed.md (comprehensive details)
├── templates/
│   ├── jb2resume.latex              (classic template)
│   ├── jb2resume-modern.latex       (improved modern template)
│   └── awesome-cv.latex             (modern awesome-cv inspired)
├── files/
│   ├── paul-halvorsen-files-backend-engineer.md
│   ├── paul-halvorsen-files-backend-engineer.pdf (various templates)
│   └── ...
├── valon/
│   ├── paul-halvorsen-valon-software-engineer.md
│   ├── paul-halvorsen-valon-cover-letter.md
│   └── paul-halvorsen-valon-software-engineer.pdf (various templates)
└── [company]/
    └── paul-halvorsen-[company]-[role].md

Available Templates:

1. jb2resume - Classic, traditional template

   • Conservative design
   • Best for: Traditional industries, classic look
   • Command: make resume FILE_NAME=path/to/resume

2. jb2resume-modern (Recommended default)

   • Modern improvements: better spacing, proper bullets, visual hierarchy
   • Clean professional look with subtle visual accents
   • Best for: Tech companies, modern look with substance
   • Command: make resume-modern FILE_NAME=path/to/resume

3. awesome-cv - Modern, vibrant template

   • Bold accent colors, prominent sections, contemporary design
   • Best for: Startups, tech companies, when you want to stand out
   • Command: make resume-awesome FILE_NAME=path/to/resume

Build the resume PDF:

# Build with default (modern) template
make resume FILE_NAME=paul-halvorsen-resume

# Build with modern template (improved jb2resume)
make resume-modern FILE_NAME=files/paul-halvorsen-files-backend-engineer

# Build with awesome-cv template (bold, modern design)
make resume-awesome FILE_NAME=valon/paul-halvorsen-valon-software-engineer

# Show all available commands and examples
make help

Example workflow for custom resumes:

# Create a customized markdown resume in company directory
mkdir -p acme
# paul-halvorsen-acme-senior-backend-engineer.md

# Build with modern template
make resume-modern FILE_NAME=acme/paul-halvorsen-acme-senior-backend-engineer

# Or with awesome-cv template
make resume-awesome FILE_NAME=acme/paul-halvorsen-acme-senior-backend-engineer

# Output: acme/paul-halvorsen-acme-senior-backend-engineer.pdf

Clean commands:

• make clean - Remove LaTeX log files
• make cleanpaper - Remove the generated PDF (uses FILE_NAME variable)
• make cleanpodman - Remove the Podman image and build cache (forces rebuild next time)
• make cleanall - Remove everything (logs, PDF, and Podman image)

High-Level Architecture

Resume Processing Pipeline

1. Input: Markdown file with YAML metadata block (*.md)
2. Processing: Pandoc converts markdown to LaTeX using a template
3. Output: PDF generated via LaTeX compilation
4. Containerization: All processing happens in a Podman container to ensure consistent output

Key Components

Templates (templates/ directory):

• jb2resume.latex - Default resume template (recommended)
• jb2-modern.latex - Alternative modern template

Both templates are dual-licensed under GPL v2+ and BSD 3-Clause.

Dockerfile:

• Based on pandoc/latex:latest
• Installs additional LaTeX packages: enumitem, sectsty, underscore
• Sets /data as the working volume

Makefile:

• Uses Podman (not Docker)
• FILE_NAME=paul-halvorsen-resume - Change this to build a different .md file
• USER=paul - Container user for file permissions
• Automatically detects if the Podman image needs rebuilding

Resume Structure

YAML Metadata Block (top of .md file):

---
name: [Your Name]
keywords: [comma-separated keywords for PDF metadata]
left-column:
    - [Line 1 for left column under name]
    - [Line 2 for left column]
right-column:
    - [Line 1 for right column under name]
    - [Line 2 for right column]
fontsize: [default 10pt]
fontenc: [default T1]
urlcolor: [default blue]
linkcolor: [default magenta]
numbersections: [true/false, controls section numbering]
name-color: [SVG color name like DarkSlateGray, applies to name]
section-color: [SVG color name like Tomato, applies to section headers]
---

The metadata block is required and must appear at the very top of the markdown file before any content.

Resume Content: Standard Markdown after the metadata block. Headers become sections, lists are formatted naturally.

Multiple Resume Versions

The repository contains two main resume files:

• paul-halvorsen-resume.md - Concise version (built by default via Makefile)
• paul-halvorsen-resume-detailed.md - Extended version with more details

To build a different version, either:

1. Modify the FILE_NAME variable in the Makefile, or
2. Run Pandoc directly with the desired input file

Important Notes

• The Makefile assumes Podman is installed and available
• Build output (.pdf files) and Podman artifacts (.podman-build file) are not tracked in git
• The .podman-build marker file prevents unnecessary image rebuilds (remove it to force rebuild)
• All LaTeX processing happens inside the container; no local LaTeX installation is needed

Creating Customized Resumes for Job Applications

The detailed resume (paul-halvorsen-resume-detailed.md) contains comprehensive information across all roles and projects. To create a customized resume for a specific job application:

1. Get job description - Copy the job posting or description

2. Provide to Claude Code - Share the job description with Claude Code along with a request to create a customized resume (and optionally a cover letter)

3. Output format - Claude will create markdown files in a company subdirectory using the naming convention:

   [company]/paul-halvorsen-[company-name]-[role-title].md
   [company]/paul-halvorsen-[company-name]-cover-letter.md  (optional)
   

   Example:

   • stripe/paul-halvorsen-stripe-senior-rust-engineer.md
   • stripe/paul-halvorsen-stripe-cover-letter.md

4. Build the PDF - Generate the PDF(s) using:

   make resume FILE_NAME=stripe/paul-halvorsen-stripe-senior-rust-engineer
   

5. Expected result - A 1-2 page resume tailored to the job requirements with:

   • Reordered work experience (most relevant roles first)
   • Emphasized skills and metrics matching the job description
   • Highlighted relevant accomplishments and projects
   • Customized summary/intro focused on the role
   • Optional: A compelling cover letter explaining interest in the company/role

Note on Cover Letters: Cover letters are stored as markdown files in the same company directory as the corresponding resume. They can be included when submitting applications through platforms that support them, or converted to PDF by saving as plain text/PDF from a markdown editor.

The detailed resume includes proficiency levels, performance metrics, specializations, and comprehensive technical details that allow Claude Code to intelligently match your background to specific job requirements.

Template Selection Guide

When to Use Each Template

jb2resume (Classic)

• Traditional companies (finance, government, law)
• Conservative industries
• When you want a proven, time-tested design
• Important: ATS compatibility is high priority
• Example: Financial institutions, government agencies

jb2resume-modern (Recommended for Most Tech)

• Tech startups and established tech companies
• Modern, professional look without being flashy
• Better spacing and readability than classic
• Still ATS-friendly and traditional enough for conservative industries
• Best balance of modern and professional
• Default recommendation for Files.com, Valon, and similar companies

awesome-cv (Modern & Bold)

• Early-stage startups and growth-stage companies (Series A-C)
• Design-forward or forward-thinking companies
• When you want to make a visual impression
• Companies that explicitly value design and attention to detail
• Use when: "We're disrupting X industry" is in the job description
• Example: Files.com, Valon, and similar Series C companies

Quick Decision Tree

Is the company a startup or growth-stage company?
├─ YES → Use awesome-cv (bold, modern, stands out)
└─ NO → Is it a traditional/conservative industry?
    ├─ YES → Use jb2resume (classic, proven)
    └─ NO → Use jb2resume-modern (modern but professional)

For Paul's Current Applications

• Files.com (Series C, a16z-backed): awesome-cv recommended
• Valon (Series C, a16z-backed): awesome-cv recommended
• Enterprise customers: jb2resume-modern
• Government/DoD contracts: jb2resume (classic)