Trying to job hunt

So frustrated that I made an account just for some advice.

I'm currently trying to get an AA in Computer Information Systems but I'm not making enough at my current job to go at a regular pace. Therefore I'm trying to obtain a beginner IT job to get some experience. I don't have any prior job experience besides National Guard training/work. My only cert is Sec+. However even most helpdesk jobs I see require BS + ~2 yrs experience. I'm not sure how to approach getting into this field to be honest or what other areas to look into. I've heard volunteer work is good too, but I need to eat and pay rent

Any help much appreciated. If any more info is needed please ask.

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H3||scr3am

Well beginner IT Jobs generally start with the A+ cert, I'd talk to local computer shops (not big names), and see if any of them could use some odd jobs/help, that may be a way to get your foot in the door. It'll be mostly stuff like diagnosing and reformatting Virus infected PCs, perhaps some PC assembly too. But it's one way to get some hours and experience on your resume and some money.

MrAgent

What websites are you using to search? Do you have a decent resume? What is your location?

ensane

MrAgent wrote: »

What websites are you using to search? Do you have a decent resume? What is your location?

Indeed, glassdoor, monster mostly. Other than that I drive around or apply to places I know or hear about. I took a look at the sites on the sticky in this board and almost accidentally signed up for techies.com... Not sure how good my resume is to be honest. There's not much to put on it.

 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][B]Professional Experience[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][U]Wal-Mart, Madison, AL, United States[/U][/SIZE][/FONT]
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Stocking October 2013 - Present [/SIZE][/FONT] 
 
[LIST]
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Answer customers'     questions about merchandise and advise customers on merchandise     selection. [/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Stock shelves,     racks, cases, bins, and tables with new or transferred merchandise. [/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Design and set up     advertising signs and displays of merchandise on shelves, counters,     or tables to attract customers and promote sales. [/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Clean     display cases, shelves, and aisles. [/SIZE][/FONT] 
[/LIST]
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][U]US Army, Talladega, AL, United States[/U][/SIZE][/FONT]
  [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Information Systems Analyst  May 2012 – Present[/SIZE][/FONT]
 
[LIST]
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Troubleshoot     computer/printer problems[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Networking     w/routers and switches[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Security risk     assessment[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[/LIST]
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][U]Sonic, Huntsville, AL, United States[/U][/SIZE][/FONT]
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Floater July 2012 - January 2013 [/SIZE][/FONT] 
 
[LIST]
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Take food and drink     orders and receive payment from customers. [/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Prepare     food and drink orders.[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Deliver     orders to customers.[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[/LIST]
  
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][B]Education[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Calhoun Community College, Madison, AL, United States[/SIZE][/FONT]
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Computer Information Systems Candidate [/SIZE][/FONT] 
  [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]US Army 25B (Information Systems Analyst) MOS qualified[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][B]Additional Skills[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]
 
[LIST]
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]CompTIA     Security+ certified [/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]C++,     Java[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Secret     level security clearance[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[/LIST]

Contact info is at top, centered. Formatting is thrown off but that's basically it. I can't really figure out how resumes work but even I can see my job history sucks. Not too many local places around here. The ones I've been to basically say "I'm barely making ends meet myself; how would I hire someone?"

Tremie24

Just look for helpdesk/desktop jobs. Even if they require a ridiculous amount of experience. You have to understand that, that's for their "ideal" candidate. Get your resume right and go for it.

MrAgent

I would suggest changing your resume a bit. There are a bunch of people here who have asked for resume reviews.
I have my clearance and education listed at the top, then I put my skills under it.
After that I have my job history.
I also have everything bulleted. (Some here do not like bullets)
I'm not so sure I would keep sonic on my resume if I were you.

bryanthetechie

ensane wrote: »

Education
Calhoun Community College, Madison, AL, United States
Computer Information Systems Candidate
US Army 25B (Information Systems Analyst) MOS qualified

I'm a bit confused by this section. Is there a specific degree that you are working for at the CC (AS, AA, etc)? If so, you should list that as well.

Really though, you could nearly put just this information on a 3x5" note card for a resume and many places will be interested in you for entry-level helpdesk work. The rest is fluff, but this is good stuff:

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][B]Professional Experience[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]  [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][U]US Army, Talladega, AL, United States[/U][/SIZE][/FONT]   [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Information Systems Analyst  May 2012 – Present[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[LIST]
[*] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Troubleshoot     computer/printer problems[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Networking     w/routers and switches[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Security risk     assessment[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[/LIST]
   [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][B]Education[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]  [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Calhoun Community College, Madison, AL, United States[/SIZE][/FONT]  [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]  Computer Information Systems Candidate [/SIZE][/FONT]
  [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]US Army 25B (Information Systems Analyst) MOS qualified[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]  [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][B]
Additional Skills[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]  
[LIST]
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]CompTIA Security+ certified [/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]C++, Java[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Secret-level security clearance[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[/LIST]

ensane

Oh, I didn't even realize I hadn't even put the degree type, thank you. Also, noted on the restructuring suggestion. I'll definitely work on that.
So probably my main concern at this point is if there is anything other than helpdesk to look into. Still going to look into it but I was trying to find as many avenues as possible.

Xavor

Did I miss a listing somewhere that has your degree? If you have a Secret and Security+, can you move? There's a lot of jobs in DC that require those two specifically for work.

If not, hit temp agencies, school job fairs, and hospitals for employment. Help desk says 2 years, but upsell your National Guard experience and the Security+.

techfiend

I found this forum to be a great asset to improving job hunt skills, without it I don't think I'd be employed in the field today. I'd format your resume like this:

1. Summary, professionally who are you, give a very broad view of your skills and experience
2. Job History, list the national guard first and go into fine detail into what your duties are. For example what did you do with these routers and switches, did you configure them or just plug and play?. It would be good if these job duties took up half a page. Then list Walmart with a short summary that you aim to please every customer you come in contact with. You can leave off sonic otherwise put something a lot like Walmart for a summary but different.
3. Certifications, list Security+ and that you have a security clearance. Did you learn C++ and Java while serving? If so, put that under job history, otherwise do you think the knowledge will help your obtain the jobs you are applying for?
4. Education, this would be 3 if you are currently attending, I can't really tell by the given information.

Once you start getting some interviews feel free to browse this section of the forum and ask any questions you have, it can help immensely.

NetworkingStudent

No offense, but the resume is a little disorganized.
Can you post a more organized version with fake company names, address john doe names ect? The members on this forum then can review and make suggestions for improvement.

Have you tried to review this resume with your school's career services department? They offer their services for free if you're a student.

Here is a good link for structuring resumes
Cornell Career Services: Resume Samples

NetworkingStudent

I forgot to mention the following:
1. Are you really doing all of this in the national guard:
US Army, Talladega, AL, United States
Information Systems Analyst May 2012 – Present

Troubleshoot computer/printer problems
Networking w/routers and switches
Security risk assessment

??? If I'm reading it right, you have been there since 2012 - present.
That's 2 years of IT experience. That's more than most people have coming out of school.

2. As far as having a BA degree to get an IT job.
That depends on the company. I know a few help desk techs that have a AA. Also, I have met a few that have no degree at all.

ensane

Yeah, that's what my job is in the national guard although there are still things that get pushed above our heads to state level IT. I didn't think I should emphasize it as much because it's only 2 days a month during drill and 2 weeks in the summer for training. I don't know what you mean by a fake resume though. That one above is the one I currently use. Trying to fix it up but I'm currently busy slaving away at drill.

I'm currently enrolled to get an AAS in Computer Information Systems with Networking option. I'm not sure how best to word this on a resume.

anhtran35

Delete the Walmart and SONIC retail work. Stick with the IT experience at the National Guard. Elaborate more on what you do there. You got a clearance which means you can apply for jobs within the DC/VA/MD area. I know TekSystems and Apex were throwing people with clearances to work on OS migrations at the Pentagon, Bolling AFB and Andrews. Do you want to work overseas( Kuwait? Afghanistan? Iraq? )? There are several OCONUS positions with your active clearance and basic IT knowledge where you can land a spot at Bagram or KAF. I worked there last year and those that stay ended up jumping on to other contracts in Kuwait, Germany and South Korea. LUCKY BASTARDs.

techfiend

Computer Information Systems: Networking AAS
Year started - Present

Is what I'd put, after certifications section.

I'd keep walmart mainly because it shows customer service which is important for a lot of entry level IT jobs.

ensane

Updated resume (hopefully for the better) with this:

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][B]Professional Experience[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]
 


 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][U]US Army, Talladega, AL, United States[/U][/SIZE][/FONT]
  [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Information Systems Analyst  May 2012 – Present[/SIZE][/FONT]
 
[LIST]
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Windows 7/8     installation and set up[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Troubleshoot     computer/printer problems[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Troubleshoot/setup     radio systems[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Networking     w/routers and switches[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*]     [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Security risk     assessment[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[/LIST]
 


  [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][B]Additional Skills[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]
 
[LIST]
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]CompTIA     Security+ certified [/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]C++,     Java[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Secret     level security clearance[/SIZE][/FONT] 
[/LIST]
 


 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][SIZE=4][B]Education[/B][/SIZE][/SIZE][/FONT]
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Calhoun Community College, Madison, AL, United States[/SIZE][/FONT]
 [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Computer Information Systems: Networking AAS 
Year started - Present [/SIZE][/FONT] 
 [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]US Army 25B (Information Systems Analyst) MOS qualified[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]

Then I have another version with the walmart section from before under the NG section.

I really don't want to leave huntsville to be honest. Living situation is tense at the moment. Gonna try geek squad and the like in the morning.

techfiend

It's improved but it comes across as short and not nearly as informative as it can be. I think it would get a lot more notice if you went in depth with the duties in the reserves. Some examples: Setup networks consisting of 20-100 workstations and 5-10 servers with a managed cisco router and unmanaged switches. Resolved Office365 issues. Assessed computer security standards and improved them by setting up endpoint security.

ensane

Actually got my first computer related job interview tuesday. So really, thanks for all the help