Create Your 4-Wheel Drive Résumé
Early realization that it is time to update that 4WD résumé!
Photo - by Art Marquis
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The new year is a time for new resolutions (lose weight, exercise more, tidy up the garage, and so forth).
Those are good, but there’s one item that also deserves a new look: your résumé. Specifically, to what extent do you mention your four wheeling experience?
Even if you have no plans to change jobs, now is a good time to revisit your résumé. You’re under no pressure, so you can give it careful consideration. Plus, as we say in four wheeling, it’s always better to be prepared. With economic conditions as they are, you may be looking for work sooner than expected.
If nothing else, updating your résumé gets you thinking more about the value of your 4WD skills. Even if you don’t present your résumé to your boss, you can mention your skills and experience. Doing so could help you advance in your firm.
Numerous positions make use of 4WD experience. Outdoors work is a natural. Occupations include geologists, environmentalists, land survey guys and forest rangers. First responders are another group. They go off-road on occasion, but also drive in treacherous terrain caused by storms and other disasters.
Are you nearing retirement? Perhaps you enjoyed a career in the military and now would like some kind of job that involves four wheeling. That could be in construction; the oil and gas industries; consulting for those types of industries; and training and teaching.
I presume your résumé already has relevant scientific or management information. Listing your 4WD experience can put you ahead of others with similar backgrounds.
Include some or all of the following categories in a sequence that emphasizes your strengths:
4WD education: Schools, clinics/classes, certificates earned, driver license endorsements (for example class A)
Relevant work history: Of course the who, what, when but identify how you made a contribution in terms of results and value to your employer/client
Technical skills: Proficiency with winching, recovery/towing, map reading, vehicle repair/build (be specific: “Removed a 249 t-case from a Jeep Grand Cherokee and replaced it with a 242 t-case”), trails you’ve driven (include trail ratings).
Racing: Identify participation and successes racing. The skills and knowledge needed to be successful may be of value to prospective clients and employers.
Management skills: As a trail leader (where and when), trips you organized and the planning that was involved, as an instructor, classes developed & lead
Related qualifications/certifications: Ham radio operator, first aid / first responder certification, articles published
Professional Affiliations: Association/club membership(s), awards earned
Miscellaneous: Relevant vehicles you’ve owned, driven, or are more than causally acquainted
This section could get lengthy, and may push your résumé to two pages. That’s OK, as long as the information is relevant. Remember to focus on the position you’re applying for (or have now). Four wheeling experience is just icing on the cake.
Preparation is important for all activities. At a minimum, updating your résumé will force you to consider more thoroughly what you’ve accomplished as a four wheeler and the value that experience has for you. You might also identify additional training you can use. Dust off your résumé, and dive in.
[BTW – if 4-wheeling is just a passion for you, creating your 4WD resume is fun and might just tie into your bucket list.]
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Related Articles from Badlands Off-road Adventures
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Did you miss the previous article?
Here are all the 2015 articles.
Upcoming Events
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Red Pass, Death Valley - looking NW in the Grapevine Mountains.
Our DV trip is scheduled for April 8, 2016.
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Summary of upcoming events.
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Metal Masher Trail
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Sign up for Easter Safari March 21 – March 25, 2016
It seems a long ways away, but all the trail rides are assigned on a first come first served basis.
The date to sign up for trail is January 19, 2016 this year.
Hotels, RV parks and camp grounds need to be reserved this month.
They are all close to being sold out.
So if you think you might want to go to the Easter Safari this year with Badlands Off-Road Adventures,
you need to call us right away and get on the list.
Once we have your registration, we can also tell you which trails to sign up for.
A few pictures:
http://4x4training.com/images/Moab/Moabpicture.html
Check out
http://4x4training.com/Adventures/EasterSafari/EJSMain.html
You can register directly at
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#EJS
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Winch Recovery Bandana & Winching DVD
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The Bandana is packed full of useful information and is a quick reference in the field when no DVD player is available."
The Bandana layout follows the “Vehicle Recovery Plan” with pathways to more detail.
A unique section of the Bandana, gives the steps for a “Winch Rigging Check: Walk through” so that you verify every element of the rigging before you commit to the pull.
Stuff this in your recovery kit and you will always be ready!
Pick up or order the Winching DVD too!
There is no substitute for hands on training. If you can, sign up for one of Badlands Off-Road Adventure’s Winching Clinics.
Warning – the Bandana and DVD are not a substitute for proper training and use of quality equipment that is used within the bounds of their safe working load.
We advise you to use the information provided in both the Winching Recovery Bandana and the "Basic to Advanced Winching and Recovery DVD" at your own risk.
We cannot control the quality and specifications of the equipment used and the methods actually employed.
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Place an order for a Winch Recovery Bandana
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Order a Basic to Advanced Winching & Recovery DVD too!
(Click picture for more details)
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I hope to see you on the trails!
Tom Severin, President
Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc.
4-Wheel Drive School
310-613-5473
http://www.4x4training.com
Make it Fun. Keep it Safe.
If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. You can forward them the email.
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Want To Use This Article In Your Magazine, E-Zine, Club Newsletter Or Web Site?
You are welcome to use it anytime, just be sure to include the following author/copyright information:
Tom Severin, 4x4 Coach, teaches 4WD owners how to confidently and safely use their vehicles to the fullest extent in difficult
terrain and adverse driving conditions.
Visit www.4x4training.com to develop or improve your driving skill.
Copyright 2016, Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Inc.
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