Natwerk Designs

Tips on getting a Good job? Can a IT guy look over my resume?

All my friends work for intel, programming companies. They all make 20+ an hour. While me, a CS major, just as far seems to only find retail work. They got lucky, but I live in colorado, there are so many IT jobs up here, but with the recession (4 years and counting, whoo) I feel kinda hopeless.. I've hit monster, I've emailed every IT job on craigslist. I'm about to go start handing out resumes again. Objective Part time position or Internship that is challenging and will further my abilities and experiences. I know that, with my proven determination, skill set, and current level of experience with both customers and electronics, I will be a valuable asset to your team. Education High School: Desiderata, Longmont CO GPA: 3.99 Awards: Deans List College undergrad – Computer Science Front Range Community College: GPA: 3.37 Awards: Deans list Additional courses: Public Speaking Grade: A Programming Logic and Design (Java) Grade: A Micro Economics Grade: A Macro Economics Grade: B Colorado State University: Professional Writing Grade: A Unix/Linux Grade: B C programming 1 and 2 Grade: B Foundations in Programming (Java, discrete math) Grade: B In Progress: Object Orientated Programming Digital Logic Calculus 2 Work Experience Geek squad / Best Buy April 07 – July 08 Duties Training coworkers and supervisors with advanced concepts. Manning multiple departments. Simplifying difficult concepts for first time buyers. Defusing volatile situations with creative solutions. Rewards and recognitions: The highest trained employee as I attended all training events hosted by companies such as Intel and HP. Awarded for highest sales over a several month period. Awarded Most Improved during my first 6 months for seeking and acquiring the most additional training in the store. Desiderata Computer Lab -Volunteer 2006-2007 Duties Set up, supported and maintained the school computers. Interests I enjoy designing and engineering polycarbonate computer cases. In 2005, my design team placed third at Everlan, a computer convention event specializing in competitive events consisting with several thousand participants. In 2009 I placed second in a CPU magazine contest. I’m working toward displaying my current project in CPU magazine. I also enjoy challenging myself with logic puzzles and also helping others troubleshoot computers. I'm looking for a part time job. I think I should be more then qualified for something. I don't understand your talk of certificates.

Public Comments

1. Unfortunately, you do not possess any major Microsoft Certifications, especially the one for a Microsoft Engineer. So look into acquiring at least the C level Technician certification and work your way up to becoming a Microsoft Professional. And check out www.dice.com for IT jobs in your area. Good luck!
2. OK - first the good news. You have some IT experience and you have some education in progress in the computer field. Now the bad news. Right now there are a lot of IT professionals on the street looking for work. Many have 4 year degrees, industry certifications and experience. That is going to make it tougher for you right now. You may want to work on getting some further experience in the PC technical area like your Geek Squad position and forget more serious job searches until you have your diploma in hand. I think that if you had your diploma in hand today you would be in better shape. I would eliminate all your classes and grades from your resume. These statements are too vague for me: Training coworkers and supervisors with advanced concepts. Manning multiple departments. Simplifying difficult concepts for first time buyers. Defusing volatile situations with creative solutions. What advanced concepts? What departments did you work in? What concepts are you able to explain to customers? Maybe call yourself a technology translator. Defusing makes you sound like a bomb squad member. I would like to see the specific items you are a SME (Subject Matter Expert) in. I would reword the "Defusing" statement to "Customer Relations Expert or Specialist" Let's talk about industry certifications. Microsoft, Cisco, Comptia and others offer industry certifications in a variety of subject areas. The study materials are available in textbooks, on DVD, classroom or other forms. Following mastering the materials you are given a certification test that costs about $100-150 to take. If you pass that test you are given a certificate in that particular field of study. After you pass enough tests, and specific ones in a grouping, you are given an overall certificate title like MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer). I have 21 Microsoft certs and A+. About ¾ of those were self-studied. Employers look at these certs as a type of qualifier for employment. To some it is more important than others. What the certs give you is an independent testimonial from the certifying group that you know this field. When someone looks at your resume or interviews you they don't need to ask if you understand Windows Server 2008 if you have a cert in that, etc. Internships, volunteering at schools, senior centers, entry-level work as a computer repair store and other similar opportunities are an option. Also, probably one of the best ways to make contacts with potential employers and other people in the IT field is to attend user group meetings in your area. Microsoft and others may have free seminars in your area. Be sure that you are present at all these and collect and pass out business cards. You will likely get your first job in IT because of who you know and not what you know.