Resume Structure

I'm trying to transition back into IT (I only have a little experience, much of it from years ago). Most of my recent work has been in teaching (non-IT related). So I'm trying to figure out the best way to present myself on my resume.

So far, what I've done is state a brief objective, then put my formal education, then my certification (just have one now), and a list of ones I'm working on, followed by a list of relevant skills and software I'm proficient with. After that I put my job history in two separate categories: 1) Relevant Work Experience and 2) Other Work Experience (teaching, stuff not IT-related). And lastly I left my research papers on there since my resume used to be a cv. But perhaps I should remove those?

I tried to order my resume from what I think is most helpful (education, skills) to least helpful (my weak IT job history).

My primary hope is that a few certs will help someone take a chance on me, but I'm open to other ideas for strengthening my resume.

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Comments

SteveLord

Remove the Objective. Save it for a cover letter.

LeisureSuitLarry

OK, will do.

srabiee

I link to this information often, but it's really good info and may help you with your resume. ptilsen's resume is an excellent example of a competent and comprehensive IT resume.

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

Someone recently uploaded this document regarding the "STAR Method" of writing resume content. You may want to take a look at it and see if it helps you.

http://www.filedropper.com/starmethod

LeisureSuitLarry

Thanks for the reply, although it's not really applicable to my situation. I've looked at many sample resumes online, although it's very difficult to find a resume of someone that's been out of the field for many years and is just trying to get back in. I've actually not seen a single example.

At this point it's just trial and error. I decided to cut everything out of mine that's not IT-related, or that which is superfluous for an entry level job. I removed my graduate degree, the section on research papers, and all of my teaching jobs. My only concern is it leaves a large gap in my recent work history, but at least it's concise, relevant, and down to one page now. Not sure if this will be effective, but I've sent out several resumes and I'll see if anything comes back. If not, I'll try something else.

cyberguypr

I'm not so sure about leaving gaps. Having read hundreds of resumes, if I have 40 in front of me and can't figure out the gaps in yours in 20-30 seconds I'm moving on. I rather sneak my intentions into the professional summary.

neocybe

This is a related question, I noticed not many resumes posted here have the proverbial laundry list of technical skills section; has this gone the way of the ol' objective statement?

srabiee

A few of us have been recommending against it. I don't see any real value in simply listing a bunch of software, technologies, and protocols on the resume without explaining HOW you are proficient in those skills, especially as it relates to a business/enterprise environment. For example, let's say as a hiring manager I need someone who has extensive experience in SCOM. Your resume lists "SCOM" in the technical skills section. I still don't know the extent of your experience with SCOM, what you are capable of, what you have accomplished with it in an enterprise environment, etc. "SCOM" virtually tells me nothing at all. Perhaps you spent an hour with it in a home lab and then added it to your resume. IDK.

Ideally you would want to incorporate that data into the professional experience section. If you are worried about key word scanners, the same terms and acronyms would still come up (MSCE, CCNP, etc) with the data relocated and incorporated into the experience section. No reason for the generic laundry list.

BradleyHU

SteveLord wrote: »

Remove the Objective. Save it for a cover letter.

word, there never should be objective on your resume, it should always be a summary...

RoyalRaven

IMO, I'd prefer to see the grad degree and teaching experience, but push them to the end. It would likely contribute to the "why" of getting into IT from where you were. I'd rather see someone list all of their degrees than hide them. Research certainly should be dropped unless it is relevant.

LeisureSuitLarry

Yeah, I suppose leaving work history gaps will probably be more harmful than helpful. I'll wait until I finish my CCENT before I change the resume again, though. I'm thinking with my one lowly cert I probably won't attract any attention anyways.