Modified Resume!, Please review and COMMENT!!!

[zellamander]

Personal info:

Hello, my name is Coty Sleeper and let me first thank you for sitting down and taking the time to evaluate my Resume. I am 19 years old and currently reside in Girard, KS. In the fall I will be starting school at Pittsburg State University persuing a Major in Business with an emphasis on Marketing. Bass fishing is my passion and I spend every moment that I'm not in school, on the water. I've always fished but I became avid about bass fishing my Junior year in High School. Honesty, respect, and the sportsmans code of conduct is at the top of my priorities. My Senior year in High School I started a week long day camp for young kids called "Let EM' Fish" in which i basically teach the basics about fishing, from tieing a knot all the way down to setting the hook. I only have about 7 kids a year do this, but one day I hope to develop it to it's fullest potential. The more kids in the outdoors, the less kids on the streets.

Experience:

Even though my bass fishing drive began at a young age, it never turned into a true passion until one day I was getting out of school and I saw a bunch of trucks and bass boats go by. It turns out that they were heading to a local jackpot tournament. Immediatly my interest grew and it wasn't long before I was fishing my first tournament.

- Won 3 local jackpot tournaments on Bone Creek Lake in 2006

1) The first tournament was in May of 2006 with 32 boats and 5      other fish weighed in that night.

2) The second tournament was in July of 2006 with 27 boats and 4 other fish weighed in that night.

3) The third tournament was the most exciting of all for me. It took place in the last week of July of 2006. Weigh-in was at 9 P.M. and we were all heading back up the the ramp, i stopped about 100 yards away from the ramp and decided to pitch a jig up in some rip rap, that usually produces fish, and there she was. She weighed in at 4.12 lbs. There was 36 boats that night and I weighed the only fish. Never give up!

- Came in 2nd place at Foracre Monthly Tournament in August of 2006

1) There was 67 boats and 20 of them weighed in. I was beat by 2/10's of an ounce.

- Fished at Grand Lake in the Okie Division BFL tournament in 2006

1) Boated only short fish, but soaked in more experience and knowledge from the trip.

- Attended Beaver Lake FLW Tour tournament and curtisy fished with Pro Aaron Hastings in 2006

1) Aaron taught me to drop shot and finese fish. Another amazing experience and learning oppertunity.

- Attended weigh-in from Beaver Lake FLW Tour with cousin Tammy Cox and Pro Aaron Hastings.

- Finished in top five, seven times on Bone Creek Lake in 2007

Strengths:

There is no doubt about it, fishing is a sport, and in every sport, all players have strengths. Here are some of mine.

- Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Drop Shot, Jig Style.

- Flipping, Pitching, Skipping

- Power fishing, Site fishing, Screen fishing (fish/depth finder)

Favorites:

Some of my favorite ways of fishing would have to be texas style and jig fishing. I love to pitch a jig up in rip rap in the pursuit of that hawg. I like to fish submurged humps, points, rocks, rip rap, and docks.

What Can I Do For You?:

With a decent local reputation for fishing, and code of conduct, I can promote from word of mouth. Local radio including "Fish Talk" and "Fishing the Four States", also local seminars on fishing and related subjects. I strive to get as many young people into the sport as possible, and strive to be the role model that stirs their interest. Currently in the pursuit of persuading Pittsburg State University into offering a Fishing Course.

Overall Goal:

My overall goal is to find a partnership with a company and promote their service and/or product and increase their sales by establishing it into the tournament world, conducting myself as a responsible, reliable investment. I can provide word of mouth advertisement, radio air time, and possible promotion from well established contacts which can advertise nation wide.

Thank you again for taking the time to evaluate my Resume.

Coty Sleeper

[Steve H]

Coty,

I am not sponsored in any way, but being in management and having reviewed many resumes I would like to add some advice.

1. Check your spelling and punctuation (we all make mistakes)

2. Use your tournament wins more effectively as bullet points instead of all of them lumped together in one line.

3. Don't mention your cousin, Pure fishing is competition to most companies. (this way you appeal to everyone)

4. Don't use "I" so much to start sentences.

5. State what you are able to do to sell tackle for your sponsor (seminars,sportshows,etc)

I think overall it is a good start, just needs some polishing.

[fishfordollars]

Another thought.

Why not approach the university about conducting a class on bass fishing. Offer to do it for free in your spare time.

If they agree and it is successful. Start your approach toward the companies to help secure items for your class. They should be more receptive. After you have built a relationship doing this you will have a huge foot in the door to ask for future deals.

Welcome to the forum.

[zellamander]

Thanks guys. Those were awesome tips.

fishfordollars, Who would be the person in a university to bring that up to, and what would be the best way to bring it up in an appealing way?

[fishfordollars]

I would approach any one of your professers and ask them. I'm sure they can tell you. You might have to do the first semester for free, however, if the interest is there it could well work into a subject the the university would consider offering. That would carry a per semester charge and you could apply for the position. I bet they will be suprised at the interest you stir up. Good luck and if it works, let me know and I will give you a letter of introduction for the companies I am on a first name basis with.l

[zellamander]

That would be awesome! My only concern is that they will hear the idea and write it off. None of the schools around here offer fishing, so i'm not exactly sure how I should tie it in with the college. Any hints on that?

[earthworm77]

Zell, you should sit down with your cousin and find out any info you can about what a company like Berk. looks for. You may be able to get a ton of info from that.

[fishfordollars]

The first thing I would do is pull up all the information you can concerning the collegiate fishing programs that are up and running across the nation. It is blowing up. Armed with the info I would approach the dean of your graduate studies and speak with him. Check around some of the biology areas to see if your school offers any courses( I am sure they do) concerning degrees in fish behavior or management. I bet you find several professors that work for the college that do fish and enjoy the outdoors. It will take some research on your part, but, if you search you will find some interest. List it in the school newspaper to see what kind of interest you will have. Carry that with you also. Good luck.

[zellamander]

Awesome, I'll starting loading up with information and see what I can get accomplished. That would be an amazing addition for my resume, and I think it would be an awesome program!

[daviscw]

Just a little tip...

Try copy and pasting your resume into Microsoft Word to spell check. It will help you find most errors. There are still places where you used "i" instead of "I".

Cody

[zellamander]

Woops, Thanks for catching that. I appriciate it!

Zell

[Brian_Reeves]

Only thing that I would consider if I were writing a resume is to put it in a resume format.  The format you have is good and broad, but an actual functional resume in a more business-like format is much easier to read through.  Of course, spelling will be top knotch, but the word "I" is rarely, if ever used in a functional resume.  If you have access to a resume-building workshop then try to use it.  Parents, friends, or relatives might have experience in building a corporate level resume that will help set you apart from others.

Also, try to mention any affiliations that you have with organizations like ABA, BASS, FLW, CAST for Kids, etc.  You might have included them, but I miss things.  If I did, sorry  :

The opening paragraph should be a sort of summary for the entire resume, which it is.  Working on those first few sentences will either grab the interest or smite your chances before the body is even looked at, in many cases.  Look at it from time to time and re-read it.  See if you can word things a little differently to make them more interesting and powerful.  

On the body of the resume itself, be sure to really focus on your strengths and accomplishments.  Don't lie or tell tales, but don't be afraid to really boost yourself up with what you've managed to do.  

Also make sure that a resume is fitted for a specific company.  Earthworm77 has a good company with a bit of diversity, so I'll use Micromunchtackle as an example, because he can help with feedback if he wants.  I wouldn't say that "I use Strike King Crankbaits for 90% of my fishing" if I were applying to Micromunch.  I'd focus on my soft plastic and jig abilities.  More like : "I use Tubes and oversized soft plastic stick baits with success in such and such situations..."  or something along those lines.  If you have used Micromunch's tackle to win or help win any tournaments, now is not the time to keep it secret.  This is just an example, but hopefully it helps.

[zellamander]

Thanks for the info! I'll format my resume.

Really on the bait side, i've only fished with stuff I can pick up at walmart, 2 of the 3 tournaments I have won came from a Black Angel Jig. Should I put that in there somewhere?

[earthworm77]

No, on your resume your not trying to promote anyone's products. Focus less on your tournament experience and more on how you can help out a potential sponsor. Your trying to sell yourself or market yourself as someone worthy to promote products. Tournament standings mean little else than you actually fish. Unfortunately you need to be a salesman rather than a consumer with product experience.

[zellamander]

To be honest, right now I want to develop a relationship with a "mom and pop" tackle shop if possible. I believe big dreams need to be taking with baby steps. So what is the best way to approach a "mom and pop" tackle shop?

[Steve H]

Coty,

What are offering to do for a manufacturer be more specific. Will you hang a banner on the side of the boat and explain product at the weigh ins? What is the name of the radio station and what area does it cover?

In the tournament details, what did you place and how many boats, that would be the extent other than what entity was running the tournament.

Mention how you are broadening your horizons by fishing as a courtesy fisherman and learning.

[zellamander]

What i'm offering. I will pay for decals on truck and boat, I will get air time on 860 A.M. during fish talk and talk about the bait/service/product and the good people that make it/supply it. At weigh-in's I will talk about it, and again, about the good people that make and or supply it. If the manufacturer wants to offer a patch to put on my jersey then I will proudly wear their patch.

The person that puts on the local jackpot tournaments is a Pro Craft Pro Team member, Kevin Shaffer.

The monthly tournament is an ABA tournament.

[fishfordollars]

Any advertizing material can and should be paid by the company, not you.

The best way to approach a mom and pop tackle shop is to be a regular visitor buying tackle and possibly giving fishing info on a weekly basis they can post or distribute to there customer base. Let them know what colors are working so they can keep them stocked. The more time you spend with them the better. I'll say one thing, you seem to  have the desire and the willingness to learn and makle something work. Good luck.

Good luck.

[Brian_Reeves]

Approaching a local mom and pop shop is probably best done with a warm smile, firm handshake, and a friendly relationship.  Small companies that don't have a big distribution have the most to gain from advertising, but the least amount of funds to do it with.  The internet has greatly spread businesses, but still they are sometimes slow to start off.  

I didn't even think when I posted earlier.  Definitely include what you can do for a company.  Even testing prototype lures is something worth mentioning.  Some people are lacking a field staff and only rely on themselves and a few close friends to test product.  Getting the stuff out to a tournament angler makes sense, as long as it doesn't break the bank.

If you're wanting to start small, I'd talk to local resteraunts, sports stores, and mechanic shops as well.  Some of those companies would love the extra advertising and could help with other costs, such as fuel or entry fees.  Non-endimic sponsorship is just as important as tackle sponsors.  Something to consider.  Even if they pay 100 a month towards tournament entry fees for a bumper sticker or patch, it'd be worthwhile.  Never despise meager beginnings.

I still think that, when dealing with tackle companies, showing product experience and understanding is important and should be included.  Perhaps that might be better left out of the resume, but included in conversation or writing after the resume is recieved.  

I've never posted up a fishing resume, but I've written a few for jobs.  It's totally different, but I think that the resume format is really easy to read and follow, as well as shows a very professional first impression.  I think that's all I got

[zellamander]

Hey guys, thanks for all the comments, advice, and good graces. I thank you all for it very deeply. Here is a tweeked version of my Resume that a verly nice guy had given me tips on.

Fishing Resume Of Coty Sleeper

Coty Sleeper of Girard Kansas is an avid fisherman attending Pittsburg State University. When not involved in his academics, Coty is a tournament competitor interested in broadening his horizons as an up and coming fisherman. His values include politeness, respect and the Sportsman's Code of Conduct. As a high school student Coty had taken the initiative in recruiting his peers to the sport of fishing in a program he calls "Let E'm Fish". In this program, Coty would teach the basics to the children in attendance.

Coty's Goals

Cotys goals are to persue a degree in business with an emphasis on marketing. He believes this training along with experience on the water will lead him to be a better fisherman and a true ambassador of the sport.

Coty's Fishing Accomplishments

2nd Place Bone Creek Lake 38 Boats July 2008

1st Place Bone Creek Lake 34 Boats July 2008

7 Top 5 finishes on Bone Creek Lake in 2007

1st Place Bone Creek Lake 32 Boats May 2006

1st Place Bone Creek Lake 27 Boats June 2006

1st Place Bone Creek Lake 36 Boats July 2006

2nd Foracre Tournament 67 Boats August 2006

Fished Beaver Lake FLW with Aaron Hastings (courtesy fisherman)

Personal Strengths

Commitment to academic pursuits

Honesty

Integerity

Willingness to learn and share knowledge

Fishing Strengths

Soft Plastics, Finesse Fishing, Flipping and Pitching and Power Fishing

[fishfordollars]

Zellamander, keep me posted. I am interested in the results as it works it's way through. Best of luck.  

[zellamander]

Thank you to everybody who is helping out. You guys are amazing. I have 1 more question for you,

A potential partner asked to see my resume, so i sent it to him, and he said that he thought it sounded great and would like to speak with me on the phone. He also said that he would like for me to give him more information, and color photo's so that they can put it on their site. What more info are they looking for? and how do I keep from sounding like a drooling idiot when they call?

It may be a few days before I post again, I have to fly to Findlay OH with my Fiance, her grandmother had a stroke and her lungs are filling with liquid, Please pray for her. I'll check in occasionally.

Thanks

Coty Sleeper

[Steve H]

Take the time and expense to have a good photographer take photos of you posing with a fish.

[fishfordollars]

Zellamander, send me your email address. I have the info on the college national championship that they are fishing in Arkansas this weekend. It will help you.

[zellamander]

csleeper06@yahoo.com

Still in Findlay OH guys, I've been at the hospital for 3 days now, running on about 5 hours of sleep. I'll keep checking in as often as I can.

Thanks