Having trouble finding a job. Resume(s) attached for critiquing.

mxmaniac

So I've made a number of posts on here about my extreme trouble getting my foot in the door in the IT world. In brief though, All my recent experience is in construction, and I just recently got my A+ and Net+. I feel I have potential though, if I just get that foot in.

Now I don't have a whole lot to work with, since I have little to no IT experience. But I am a tech saavy person with personal experience and eagerness to learn. I'm working with what I've got, and really trying to sell myself based on potential. That's why I attempt to fill the gap with "personal" computer experience, and "personal" tech experience since its mostly all I've got.

I share some of my personal projects to try and demonstrate my passion and aptitude. Having built all of these things, I can tell you that putting together a PC is simple compared to building a homemade 3D printer, or fully autonomous quadcopters. I don't know if this translates well to hiring managers, but my hope is that they will think "This guy is talented, if he's tech minded enough to build those complex things, then he should be able to learn our stuff no problem". I also try to sell my electrician experience, in hopes that hiring managers will think "Well, he hasn't worked with our computer equipment before, but if he's actually installed the main electrical service panels, and other heavy commercial equipment, then he should be able to work with our stuff". Again, I have no idea if this translates well, or they think that way. Just doing the best with what I have. I do have a little experience as a cable guy, installing cable, internet, and voip. It was many years ago, but I try and up sell it as much as possible, as its the closest I have to professional IT.

Can anyone critique my resume and tell me if there are any things that should be improved, omitted, or changed? As well as just giving me the harsh truth of how employable I appear? If despite my best efforts I somehow come off as a inexperienced fool, or bottom of the bucket pick, well I'd rather hear the harsh truth and know exactly where I stand in other peoples eyes, than hear any sugar coated fluff.


I'm attaching 2 resumes for critiquing.

The first is the Functional Style resume I made. It attempts to be targeted, and make the most of what little experience i have.

The second is a typical chronological resume that I don't necessarily like too much, but it fits the template which was given to me by a recruiter. He claimed employers like this one, so I made it for him.

What I've been shooting for is a desktop support, field technician, helpdesk, noc. Etc. I am somewhat limited as I do have a mortgage, and need to make a decent wage I don't have the option of just taking a $12 an hour phone job like I've heard some people do, I do need to make about $18-$20 just to squeak by. But my research indicates this should be reasonable.

Thanks for reading this (it turned out much longer winded than I planned). And thanks for any input.

techfiend

No callbacks? I do remember your old thread and I think I mentioned functional resume while everyone else was saying chronological, but I could be wrong. The thing with your functional is it's a long read, I think if you simplify it, it would help. Here's the heart of my resume and it's very plain but that's what worked. A stylish chrono didn't work at all.

Summary of Skills
-Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks in a high pressure environment
-Quick learner who strives to do the best job with minimal training
-Self-starter who can work effectively both independently and as a team

Certifications
-CompTIA A+ September 2014
-CompTIA Network+ expected January 2015

Education
Western Governors University – B.S. Information Technology: Security (starting January 2015)
Tech College – A.A.S. Network Engineering

Professional Skills
TECHNICAL SKILLS
-Installed, configured, troubleshooted and maintained LAN and WLAN's
-Installed and configured Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, Server 2008, Linux
-Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, VPN, Remote Desktop, VNC
-Batch\bash scripting, GCC and Visual Studio compiling
-Worked with windows system backup, Acronis True Image, Norton Ghost
-Experience building, troubleshooting and repairing computers

INTERPERSONAL AND SUPERVISORY SKILLS
-Demonstrated good customer service and complaint resolution
-Supervised and trained employees
-Resolved minor staff disciplinary issues

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
-Responsible for staff scheduling
-Maintained equipment and product inventory level
-Prepared monthly and annual budget reports

Work History
-Independent Consultant, 2010-Present
Freelance technical support for family and friends SOHO computers and networks.
<Other irrelevant history>

It is heavily based on 2 examples in the resume thread that also worked. Showing how you gained the experience as an independent consultant is important. I'd remove your objective and consolidate your skills and use some 'power words'. The key is for a human to be able to read it comfortably.

I'm not sure $18 will be possible with entry-level, I've seen one at a high pressure call center. $20 I've never heard of but I'm in an area that's just a little above average pay.

srabiee

Admittedly I don't know much about devising a competent functional resume, as I have never worked with one. I can, however, try to help you with your chronological resume.

The formatting and layout isn't bad at all, although the resume should begin with a competent professional summary. ptilsen's summary is an excellent example of how to write this section. I will also link you to a document with some helpful information.

Instead of listing a bunch of software, technologies, and protocols, and I would rather you explain to me HOW you are proficient in these skills, especially in a business/enterprise environment. Ideally I would recommend that you incorporate the info in the technical skills section into your professional experience, and then drop the skills section altogether. A "wall of skills" just doesn't serve much of a purpose.

Within the job experience section, each job description should begin with a high-level overview of your daily duties and responsibilities, and then use bullets to highlight special achievements, projects, promotions, etc. Don't rely solely on bullets like this.

You did a good job using various action verbs at the beginning of each bullet point. Be sure that you are consistent in your use of past-tense action verbs ("Fabricating" isn't past-tense, for example), and be sure that each bullet begins with an action verb. Consistency is key.

I would recommend removing the "legacy experience" section. It isn't IT related and doesn't serve much of a purpose. You want to tailor this resume to IT experience after all.

The education section could also use some work. The table format with the border looks out of place compared to the format of the rest of the resume. I would lose the table and format these sections like you did with the previous sections. I would drop the "journeyman" cert, as it doesn't relate to IT. Same with "additional coursework," as it doesn't serve a purpose. "Independent studies" isn't format education, and should also be dropped.

This is an excellent resume guide with example resumes, a huge list of action verbs, sample summaries, etc:

http://www.filedropper.com/resumeguide

This thread contains a fantastic example of a properly formatted and written resume (ptilsen's resume):

Resume time

These three sites are fantastic resources to determine what your salary (market value) should be. They also double as job search sites I believe:

Salary.com
PayScale.com
Glassdoor.com

Job search sites:

Indeed.com
Dice.com
SimplyHired.com
Monster.com
Careerbuilder.com

This one supposedly posts your resume to 50+ job search sites at once. I don't know if that includes all of the aforementioned sites or not:

ZipRecruiter.com

Once you work on your resume a bit more, do upload your revision so we can provide further recommendations.