Resume Help....

ITSpectre

Ok its my turn for resume help.... I am going to be back on the market and I need a fresh set of eyes to help me land a good IT job and get call backs from employers.... This is the resume I currently have and I will be removing the hhgregg off it and replacing it with the contract job I have now.... that is ending this month.... Please let me know what I need to change/fix/improve....

Here is my resume.... (It wont let me upload it as an attachment)

Executive Summary:

I have worked in the Information Technology industry for three years, including both as independent consultant and professional employment. Over this time, I have acquired many skills and invaluable experience in the work place, the classroom, and self-taught. Currently as an Tier 1 Specialist for BAI Inc. in support of the US Marine Corps, I have learned and applied a great deal of knowledge both technically and administratively, working as helpdesk support, tier 1 remote technician, and a queue manager. Prior to this position, I worked at Mosaic Samsung providing Tier I and II support to clients and customers. While I have learned much from working and going to school, there is still much more to learn as the IT world continues to evolve and I am driven to learn as much as I can.

Education:

Strayer University A.A. Networking B.S. in Network Administration Jan 2015 - Present
King George High School - 1998 - 2003

Certifications:
CompTIA Security+
Microsoft Certified Professional (MTA Windows 7 Essentials)


Professional Summary:

BAI Inc, USMC Base Quantico, VA., Tier 1 Specialist, 6/2014 - Current
• Currently working as a Tier I Help Desk Specialist supporting 500 users in 10 buildings
• Works with ticketing system Remedy
• Uses Norton Ghost to re-image, refresh and deploy computers for clients
• I Backup users data and set up, configure and deploy both desktops and laptops on a daily basis, as well as complete refresh projects.
• Receives inbound and places outbound calls focusing on first call resolution
• Resolves 60 tickets a day on a team of 10 people
• Currently as an Active Directory administrator I handle password resets, lockouts, account changes such as moving user accounts and adding accounts with administrator privileges
• Works with MS Office suite including Word, Power Point, Excel, Office 365, Visio, Power Shell and SharePoint
• Assists users with remote troubleshooting, desktop support, while handling software and hardware issues
• Works with the Help Desk lead to create SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for new hires
• Works with Blackberry, Apple, and Android devices (set up, configure, add to domain)

Mosaic Samsung, Stafford VA. , IT Brand Rep, May 2013-July 2014
• Used Norton ghost for reimaging, and OS migration (from windows XP to 7, 7 to
• I deployed, configured, and set up new and existing users accounts on both laptops and desktops. As well as completed refresh and reimage projects
• Provided tier 1 helpdesk/desktop phone and remote desktop support to users
• Worked with Apple products such as ICloud, IMac, IPhone, I pods and MacBook Pro
• Repaired Iphones, Ipads, Ipods, Macbooks, IMacs, and Samsung devices (tablets, computers, and phones)
• Installed software packages from multiple vendors
• Upgraded client systems from Windows XP to 7, and 8
• Performed maintenance on PC's Laptops, Monitors, and Motherboards. As well as Malware removal
• Taught classes on technology, security, networking, and PC upkeep
• Map network drives, Share drives, and fixed hardware and software issues with outlook, Active Directory, and exchange

H.H. Gregg, Fredericksburg VA. Appliance Manager, May 2012-Jan 2013
• Managed 8 employees on the appliance team
• Reviewed performance of employees on a monthly basis
• Worked with Apple, Android, and blackberry phones
• Used my knowledge of sales and customer service to boost store sales by 50% each month.
• Dealt with customer complaints, and provided solutions to angry customers, which resulted in less returns and more profit
• Taught classes on customer service with an emphasis on customer retention
• Taught classes on customer appreciation and employee goal setting

Kreken

I would limit executive summary to three or four sentences. It is somewhat redundant with your experience section.
Professional summary is usually labeled as Experience.
Fix your grammar, same tense.
Be more descriptive and precise - I have no idea what the following means: Works with MS Office suite including Word, Power Point, Excel, Office 365, Visio, Power Shell and SharePoint
How did you work? Typed documents and created charts in xls?

cyberguypr

As someone who reads a lot of resumes, I hate hate hate bullet fests. I like to see a paragraph listing duties and responsibilities and then a few bullets that highlight key accomplishments. As mentioned above, your experience reads the same as any other technician out there. the goal is to differentiate yourself for other candidates. Present something that you worked on that is either unique, high profile, or brought value to the company in the shape of cost savings, process improvement etc. You do have some numbers sprinkled here and there but they get lost in the noise.

Overall the way this is worded sounds strange to me. To many "I" instances, then you switch to third person. Very confusing.

Other thoughts:
- I would do an "expected graduation date" for that degree instead of "present".
- Lots of improper capitalization issues: iCloud, iPhone, Norton Ghost, BlackBerry, malware, etc. I cried a little when I saw so many mistakes in a row. if a see this in a final resume I toss it immediately
- NO spaces!!!! : PowerShell, PowerPoint
- "hardware and software issues with outlook"... WHAT? No idea Outlook had hardware
- "Managed 8 employees on the appliance team" -- sounds like you worked at Best Buy or Frys

I'm too lazy to search but feel free to look at the other resume threads. There are a few that are consider the gold standard that we always recommend. I am sure someone will follow up with the link I'm talking about.

ITSpectre

I plan on viewing that thread and changing my resume tonight when I get home... I need feedback bad because I totally suck at writing resumes. Also is a Cover Letter necessary or can I leave that out?

cyberguypr

You'll get mixed input regarding the cover letter. To me anything that helps me enhance my chances of landing a job is good. Naysayers may tell you no one reads them. That may or may not be true, but if just one person reads it, it may increase your chances to get the conversation going. One thing though, if you decide to go with make make sure it is not a rehash of your resume. I see many people make this mistake. The goal of the cover letter is to build rapport, show how you are the right man for the job, and create a call to action.

doctorlexus

I just try to put myself in the reader's position and make it as concise as possible without omitting anything important. Resume design is somewhat subjective--what one person likes another won't, etc. But as cyberguypr pointed out, it's always good to have proper capitalization, grammar, and a general consistency.

For me, I'd remove the executive summary entirely. I don't have an objective or the like on mine. Anything I want to actually say to an employer I just say in my cover letter (which I also tend to keep brief). My goal for my resume is to make it fast to read, so anything that supports readability and brevity is good in my book.

Chadius

Most jobs I have applied to, don't care about the cover letter. Now when I applied for government positions, especially with the National Guard or Air Force, they had a fit when I didn't include a cover letter. I think they are really into crossing off items on a list. lol

ITSpectre

cyberguypr wrote: »

As someone who reads a lot of resumes, I hate hate hate bullet fests. I like to see a paragraph listing duties and responsibilities and then a few bullets that highlight key accomplishments. As mentioned above, your experience reads the same as any other technician out there. the goal is to differentiate yourself for other candidates. Present something that you worked on that is either unique, high profile, or brought value to the company in the shape of cost savings, process improvement etc. You do have some numbers sprinkled here and there but they get lost in the noise.

Overall the way this is worded sounds strange to me. To many "I" instances, then you switch to third person. Very confusing.

Other thoughts:
- I would do an "expected graduation date" for that degree instead of "present".
- Lots of improper capitalization issues: iCloud, iPhone, Norton Ghost, BlackBerry, malware, etc. I cried a little when I saw so many mistakes in a row. if a see this in a final resume I toss it immediately
- NO spaces!!!! : PowerShell, PowerPoint
- "hardware and software issues with outlook"... WHAT? No idea Outlook had hardware
- "Managed 8 employees on the appliance team" -- sounds like you worked at Best Buy or Frys

I'm too lazy to search but feel free to look at the other resume threads. There are a few that are consider the gold standard that we always recommend. I am sure someone will follow up with the link I'm talking about.

Thanks.

I will rewrite my resume. I need to update it ASAP since I will be back on the market. Do you have any other pointers about what I can do to make my resume shine?

DatabaseHead

I prefer summary over executive summary. Sounds like your are grasping for straws. Just saying..... Not bad overall from my perspective.

Maybe remove the high school unless in that area it's a really prestigous school. The AA implies a high school level diploma.

ITSpectre

Thanks...

Another thing I do want to do is shorten it. I don't need ALL of those bullet points... I should just focus on the major things that I did that the next employer would want to see on my resume and tailor it to that. Instead of just listing everything I did....

This may not be so hard after all....

ITSpectre

cyberguypr wrote: »

Overall the way this is worded sounds strange to me. To many "I" instances, then you switch to third person. Very confusing.

Other thoughts:
- I would do an "expected graduation date" for that degree instead of "present".
- Lots of improper capitalization issues: iCloud, iPhone, Norton Ghost, BlackBerry, malware, etc. I cried a little when I saw so many mistakes in a row. if a see this in a final resume I toss it immediately
- NO spaces!!!! : PowerShell, PowerPoint
- "hardware and software issues with outlook"... WHAT? No idea Outlook had hardware
- "Managed 8 employees on the appliance team" -- sounds like you worked at Best Buy or Frys

I am glad you stated that... because I am terrible at wording things in past/present tense. That is the main reason why there is a mix in my resume... because the prev jobs I said "worked" and the job that I had before I got my new position I said "works, or currently"

The reason why I have a lot of "I" instances is because when I had a phone interview with a manager after the interview they gave me some pointers... they said I had too many "we, us, they etc..." on my resume. An employer wants to know what I did, and I accomplished.... that is where it switches and seems confusing. The bullet points I agree need to go, because it looks like im trying to list everything I possibly did and that is not needed.

kiki162

Use your existing job and drop the last 2
Take out a lot of the “I have” or “I can” - Re-write in the 3rd person
Use words to describe your experience such as Administer, Manage, Configure, Oversaw, Provided, etc.
DO NOT use “I”, the interview manager gave your bad advice. When your speaking you can use that, just not on your resume
Narrow down your list to the top 5 for the bullets
Delete your HS dip. as that doesn’t matter in the professional world - Getting a degree does


Strayer University
B.S. in Network Administration
Expected Graduation: 201x???


Strayer University
Associate of Arts in Networking
2015

anhtran35

If you have a clearance please list it.