Advice on Building a Resumé for a Coin Grading Company position

Aspie_Rocco

Slightly off topic but not totally.
I am working a resumé geared towards a TPG application and am trying to figure out how to express my U.S. Variety coin enthusiasm as a skill set.

I have no professional paid experience working with coins. Only years of hunting and locating varieties mostly from poor images on ebay or coin shops/shows both for myself, other registry participants, and fellow variety enthusiasts.

I assume 20+ years of electrical/electronic experience and education coupled with military service is not quite helpful or the typical resume received at grading companies.

Any insight, input, or suggestions wound be greatly appreciated and valued.

pruebas

I doubt they would use your resume for anything related to your numismatic skills. They would only look to see your career history, so a “normal” resume should be fine (as though you were going to continue your current career aims).

But be prepared for hands-on testing (while under pressure)!

And he prepared to relocate.

Aspie_Rocco

@pruebas said:
I doubt they would use your resume for anything related to your numismatic skills. They would only look to see your career history, so a “normal” resume should be fine (as though you were going to continue your current career aims).

But be prepared for hands-on testing (while under pressure)!

And he prepared to relocate.

Thank you for your reply! I would absolutely consider relocating and would be especially thrilled with a hands on test.

FlyingAl

I agree with what @pruebas said, I would bet that the numismatically related part would be conducted in an interview setting.

Personally, I would have no idea how TPGs conduct their hiring process. I would imagine that it would include some pretty rigorous grading trials with hundreds of coins tested for accuracy. If you've ever seen the grading tests that they used to put on at the major shows, I assume it would be like that, but much larger. I had a thread with one here: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1072216/interesting-contest-done-a-few-years-back-ats#latest

I would assume that they would want you to be in the top three of that contest if not better, but for a much larger group of coins. If it's just a variety position, I don't know if they would need you to be an outstanding grader, but they would definitely want you to hit every single variety (or not a variety coin) they throw at you.

I would suggest perhaps mentioning your experience here as well as your expertise with varieties during the likely interview process, and perhaps on a resume, under a special skills area (?). A quick look at any of your threads quickly reveals that you just don't know your stuff, but you know it with blurry images and under conditions that many would never be able to identify particular varieties, so in other words there's no doubt of your skill.

Obviously, as a YN, I don't have nearly as much experience with hiring as anyone else here. Take everything I said with a grain of salt . I wish I had a chance to go for a TPG position. Best of luck to you!

DelawareDoons

The trick is to get in front of the right people and show your skills.

The best way to do that is to become a decent grader. Graders are always in demand, and even if you aren't quite at TPG-level grading/authentication, you can showcase the other parts of your skillset during the grading test and it may lead to a position elsewhere.

davewesen

I am not sure how flexible you are with work, vacation, but I would try to make it to ANA summer session for grading skills. The instructors have the connections and would be able to give you advice on how to get a job doing that. It might be more difficult if you are not willing to relocate.

https://money.org/summer-seminar

greatcollection

Buy and sell a lot of coins at major shows to be known.

The TPG's only hire the best graders. That takes some serious experience

ricko

In addition to your normal resume, include a section on your skills with varieties and related coin experience. Knowledge of reference materials is also relevant. The purpose of a resume is to get to the interview. I recommend you go to a few major shows, speak to the TPG's there, express your interest and inquire directly how best to apply and ask for other relevant points to help your application/interview. Cheers, RickO

DelawareDoons

@greatcollection said:
Buy and sell a lot of coins at major shows to be known.

The TPG's only hire the best graders. That takes some serious experience

You would be surprised. Some are not opposed to taking on lesser graders that have a solid foundation and show a desire/passion for learning about grading. The grader-finalizer relationship is often a mentee-mentor type relationship, in that regard.

Don't get me wrong, you still have to be top 5% or so, but you don't have to be at the very top unless you want to walk in as a finalizer.

Aspie_Rocco

Excellent advice here, a thank you everyone that has responded. I am looking into booking a reservation for the ANA seminar. While my laser focus is on Variety coins, it seems like refining my actual grading skills is important and may be required (?) to become an attribution specialist.
I wish more information was available regarding the attribution process and requirements for hiring. Or any solid -published information.

ctf_error_coins

Why not put all your efforts into becoming a coin dealer and work for yourself?

Aspie_Rocco

@ErrorsOnCoins said:
Why not put all your efforts into becoming a coin dealer and work for yourself?

I halfway tried this a few years back and had limited success. I put in a lot of effort but not all my efforts. It seemed to take a lot of capital and inventory to maintain expenses. My family situation changed drastically since then, so it may be time for another go at it. Thank you for the suggestion

291fifth

Why guess? Contact the TPG's you are interested in directly and ask them what qualifications they look for/require.

sparky64

I believe PCGS has snagged a forum member or two for employment, if I recall.

marcmoish

I bet you will do great, whatever you do and whomever hires you will be lucky. You are very positive, motivated and a pleasure on this board.

I would add that skill set (U.S. Var etc.) if you are sending a resume to a TPG.

Good luck

PCGS, you readin this?

Unknown

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Aspie_Rocco

Much thanks to everyone for the input, awesome community here as always! I spoke with a local dealer today and in addition to the great information and Ideas here, I completed and sent a resume to the two geographically closest candidates. I will send one ATS (across the street) next week and a few other places.
Meanwhile I will be looking into some of the ANA summer courses.

Thanks again and best wishes to all,
Rocco

FlyingAl

Let us know how it goes, I think many would like to see how this turns out. Best of luck!

Aspie_Rocco

Compiling a list of grading services and auction houses to submit resumés, have I overlooked anything?
PCGS
Stacks
GC
ANACS
Heritage
NGC
ICG

FlyingAl

Legend seems to be missing from what I see if you wanted to include them.

Aspie_Rocco

Edit: I was not chosen for the position in the end.

Update. I was pleasantly surprised by an unexpected opportunity and have since been offered a better numismatic position than I had ever previously considered! Woooooooooooo!
Thank you everyone for the comments! I truly appreciate the advice.

davewesen

congrats, can you give any details or not until you have been there awhile?

Aspie_Rocco

Not sure yet, so I will wait till it’s all signed and official, or I hear otherwise. I am soooo happy and excited!
Edit: I may have spoken too soon

younique

Congrats. You're on your way. YAY !

savitale

Congratulations! Sometimes it just takes putting yourself out there and trying, I suppose.

TwoKopeiki

Congrats!! Now share the details!!

krueger

How many classes have you taken ,online, ANA summer seminars, ANA
Pre show classes. A list would help. Club presentations you have given. , Any Articles you have written.

One large coin dealership required new hires to read David bowers book "The History of United States Coinage: As Illustrated by the Garrett Collection. You may be asked to not just work with varieties but to become and work as a Numismatist. Sometimes 3rd basemen have to play left field or first base!

PCGS or NGC Registry sets you built. shows commitment long term and knowledge.

Dealer references that know your skills. Obtain letters of reference from them.
Find some former graders and pick their brains or as questions. Finding out what your future employers are like and what they expect.

Maybe you can get hired first thru you electronic knowledge. Lots of electronics in the background of these entities.

Hope this helps in building your resume to guide your hire to the position you want.

Good luck

Zoins

@Aspie_Rocco said:
Update. I was pleasantly surprised by an unexpected opportunity and have since been offered a better numismatic position than I had ever previously considered! Woooooooooooo!
Thank you everyone for the comments! I truly appreciate the advice.

Wow! Congrats! That's really really exciting!

Let us know the details when you can!

BLUEJAYWAY

Sometimes your desire/will to learn,motivation,interest,dedication, desire, can go a long way in making up for any lack of technical skill. Tech. info can be learned. Interest,desire etc. comes from within. Good luck.

ShaunBC5

Congrats! I hope it’s everything you want it to be.
I quit a good job to do what I’ve always wanted to do bad so far haven’t regretted it (and don’t plan to). Enjoy your new position and make the most of it!

Aspie_Rocco

Well, I lost that opportunity, but will not give up. I will be an appreciated asset somewhere some day.
Even having been considered was one of the most flattering and exciting experiences ever.

Swampboy

@Aspie_Rocco said:
Update. I was pleasantly surprised by an unexpected opportunity and have since been offered a better numismatic position than I had ever previously considered! Woooooooooooo!
Thank you everyone for the comments! I truly appreciate the advice.

All I see is Joy in that piece

marcmoish

@Aspie_Rocco said:
Well, I lost that opportunity, but will not give up. I will be an appreciated asset somewhere some day.
Even having been considered was one of the most flattering and exciting experiences ever.

that opportunity was not meant to be, and GOD was good to you by letting you know early on.
Good luck, stay focused

bearcave

What he said ☝️

JBK

Hey, this one didn't work but you presumably got farther than you could have imagined a year ago.

Just keep plowing ahead and learning. Make good use of your time until the next opportunity.