posted on March 9, 2001 02:13:48 PM
I am not thinking of heading out in the real world, but I was thinking about this the other day..... maybe others have as well.
how do/would you put eBay on your resume?
yes.. we are business owners.
we are also:
accountants
shipping and recieving
computer literate
purchasing agents
past due account chasers
advertisers
customer relations
quality control
among many many other things!
Real world workers often are preplexed by eBay, and the fact we folks can make a living, but truly do not have a grasp to all that it entails. what would YOU put on your resume?
Enid
deja deja deja vu believe it and it will come true!
posted on March 9, 2001 02:29:01 PM
I wouldn't include it in my cv. No matter how you try to explain it, unless the position or field is related, I believe it would not be helpful.
posted on March 9, 2001 02:44:12 PM
Enid...If you're thinking of using eBay as a job reference you had better be certain that you perspective employer is familiar with virtual e-commerce. If he/she is not it may appear to them you are trying to pass off "on-line yard/garage selling" as true career experience. Because many people don't understand online auctions, e-commerce, or are afraid of it, immediately the mention of eBay will only crack a smile and a, "Yeah...right" response. I know before I dove in I thought that way to some extent. This new style of business is still a little too new for employers and business firmly planted in the real world with limited internet use to grasp and take seriously. In time that will change. In the meantime, "plant your fields" and see what grows.
posted on March 9, 2001 02:58:23 PM
Why say it is eBay? Present your running your own sales business and give the name and your position even if it is just "owner" and the data to let them know how serious it was - sales volume number of employees. If you did not have a retail showroom that is really no concern. It is also not any concern what your primary marketing method was - magazines - newspaper ads - trade journels - sales reps - or online.
No need to get that specific.
posted on March 9, 2001 03:07:23 PM
A resume book says put General Manager, also good for applying for loans. I find using Internet in your title impresses people.
posted on March 9, 2001 03:23:44 PM
Internet Sales Manager:
Ran small business operation through online sales medium that relied on dynamic pricing as a success incentive. Formatted virtual sales showroom and wrote ad copy to appeal to target market. Grossed $xxxxx.xx in first 12 months in business.
posted on March 9, 2001 03:23:51 PM
dbsnd:
I am noway considering leaving my current, do what I want when I want lifestyle that eBay has allowed me be
I havent had a 'real job' in near 3 years.
good thoughts guys,
I agree that the majority of brick & mortar business's arent quite aware of all online potentail and detail it takes to be sucessful.. especially on an indiv\idual basis, like many of us.
posted on March 12, 2001 11:52:06 AM
Here is what I just added to my resume:
Internet Sales Manager
Responsible for the day to day operations of a succesful Internet Sales business. Duties include customer service, marketing of products, maintaining images on web server, purchasing, inventory control, bookkeeping, shipping and receiving, and the maintence of computer and peripherals.
Of course there is more that we do, but I think this gives a good idea. What do you think?
mrhaneys2001 on ebay and in the future as well.
Coming to a galaxy near you.
posted on March 12, 2001 12:57:35 PM
good question. i was wondering the same thing. i have been job hopping working here and there and some temp jobs trying to find the right job. i left my job of 18 years that i hated and dont want to get trapped again. it was good money and thats the only reason i stayed so long. i sell a little here and there on ebay and through flea markets and auctions. so sometimes i am really busy working for myself but these gaps on my resume look like im not doing anything. if i put my self employment down how do i let the employer know i am successful? wont they think i must have mismanaged everything or i wouldnt be looking for a job on the outside? i really want a job for security and insurance and for social reasons but enjoy my self employment also. how do i express this to an employer?
posted on March 12, 2001 01:54:51 PM
Denise... that is what I was thinking as well.
if it was sucessful,
why then are we looking for a job?
if it was not a success, then
why would we be a good employee? will be able to handle the pressure during crunch time?
it is a catch 22. sorta. your reasoning of wanting medical, retirement plans or stock options are the reasons I would give as to why I plan to rejoin the real world work force.
posted on March 12, 2001 09:50:15 PM
I changed my resume to this. I think it sounds even better
Internet Sales Manager
Designed and implemented a successful Internet based business. Developed and created sales strategies and product marketing. Maintained images on web server and proper inventory control. Purchased and promoted various products and maintained accounting records. Prepared competitive premium comparisons, which required product and sales analysis. Provided direct sales assistance, shipping, receiving, and maintained all computer components and peripherals.
posted on March 13, 2001 04:35:46 AM
You know what? I was thinking if I ever had to go back to a real job that it would be the truck driving that I used to do and hated. You've given me some ideas that perhaps I might have learned some marketable skills in the meantime.
Oh, who am I kidding. I could never go back to working for someone. I'm way too spoiled for that now.
posted on March 13, 2001 10:12:48 AM
I recently went back out looking for work as an administrative assistant to non-profit agencies, and put my Ebay experience down on my resume as Owner/Operator, Internet Sales Company. I presented myself professionally and talked about Ebay as well as a whole spectrum of other experiences online (websites, Amazon marketplace, Half.com, online malls, etc.) Do not worry about looking "unsuccessful". My experience was that it was a huge conversation-opener, and point of interest for me in my interviews. Executives I interviewed with were very, very interested in what i had been doing and ended up talking to me about their own mixed success/failures to put their companies/organizations online. It's completely easy for business people to understand, in this climate of website failures, how even the best business plan or company idea can be unsuccessful. The fact that it didn't succeed 100% is NOT a black mark against you. I had several people comment favorably on my 'failure'---because they would rather have an ambitious go-getter with energy who tries something and fails than a 'lifer' who just performs their job day after day, never expanding their base of knowledge or learning new skills. I ended up taking a job through a personal connection but I had several offers which I believe were largely based on my interviews and discussions.
posted on March 13, 2001 12:10:44 PM
I graduate from college in May so I've been sprucing up my resume. I created a few different versions, and will submit whichever one in accordance with the job I'm applying for. I did include my ebay experience on one of the versions...this is how I worded it:
Founded home-based e-tailing business that offers items through eBay’s online auction site.
Built impressive sales of over 1000 completed transactions by establishing marketing strategies, offering sales incentives, and providing incomparable customer service.
Direct all daily operations including inventory management, vendor relationship management, ad design, bookkeeping, shipment tracking, and order tracking.
Diverse customer service duties include replying to inquires, and resolving complaints.
Achieved 99% customer satisfaction rating; high monthly profit resulted in “Powerseller” status.
Effectively interact with international clients to provide accurate sales terms and conditions.
*
Needless to say, I consider my ebay experience valuable, and refuse to omit it just because it might "spook" some folks who aren't internet friendly.
spellin'
[ edited by Julesy on Mar 13, 2001 12:14 PM ]
posted on March 14, 2001 10:36:31 AM
I think most people would think favorably of anyone who can run an online auction biz. I already knew most of what I needed to when I started, but the continual changes do keep you on your toes. If you aren't tuning your business to keep up, you'll be toast.
posted on June 6, 2001 12:37:41 AM
Funny this thread came back. My eBay sales are really slow and I don't feel like "adapting." Part of it is eBay's new attitude, part is that I need more income. I've been considering how to describe my eBay experience in a resume.
Now I say, "milk it!" A lot of professionals are familiar with eBay. It is not a joke to those in the know. eBay is just about the only dot-com that has been successful, and if you are an experienced eBay seller, your prospective employer will probably be interested.
Okay, so packaging 15,000 boxes may not get you in the door, but there's a lot more to eBay sales than that. If you are like most sellers, you have personally overseen (and executed) just about every aspect of running a mail-order business, including everything from product analysis and test-marketing to after-the-sale support. Invoicing, inventory, shipping, finance, ad copy, digital photography, web page design (HTML), computer savvy, and a lot more that I'm probably overlooking.
I strongly agree with BrightId that just because you're looking for a job doesn't mean you are a failure as an eBay seller or a failure in general. People look for jobs for any number of reasons. Maintain a positive attitude about yourself.
posted on June 6, 2001 10:00:44 AM
When I first entered the working world at age 18 my previous experience consisted of 5 years as a Candy Striper (volunteer), a short lived job as a waitress, and baby sitting. I listed the Candy Striper position on the application and that got me the job. The employer told me he chose me because staying 5 years in a volunteer position proved I was a responsible person.
As an employer (brick and mortar) I must say that I would look at a mention of internet sales with interest. It shows creativity and a willingness to do whatever it takes. At some point I would question if it was eBay and jot down the seller id. You see, much better than any personal reference (oh, how people lie!), the feedback forum is an incredible listing of someone's character. Of course, there are sometimes unwarranted comments, but you get a good overall of a person's work ethic thru the forum.
Would I hire someone who's only experience was eBay? DEFINATELY! They have been thru the ropes ... and learned the hard way.
Put it on your resume ... and expect to gain the interest of the interviewer. Most people have heard of eBay by now. And, interest is what gets you to the top of the pile, right?
Good luck all!
BECKY
P.S. Powerseller Status belongs right at the top of the listing. You earned it! If you have an email from eBay, include it with your diplomas, etc .... it is an excellent award from the ebusiness world!
posted on June 6, 2001 11:15:49 AM
Also include that you're a registered member (in good standing) of AuctionWatch and any other Internet auction groups or forums, such as Online Auction User's Association, Online Trader's Web Alliance, etc.
