Resume Review...

Michael.J.Palmer

Hey guys,

I've been getting some interview calls here and there but I'm just not locking down the position. Now granted, my resume is changing about every 2 weeks lately (either I make minor changes to gussy it up, or I get a new certification), I just wanted to get your take on what how it looks right now.

I'm waiting on a callback from two different recruiters regarding two different positions currently and well, I'm not sure if I've been getting these interviews just because I live close to the job and they have a quota to interview or if they actually think I could potentially get the job.

This is what I've been sending out right now and though I'm not sending out as many as I used to, I'm still hitting about five submissions a day so any help to help me get an edge over the rest is much appreciated.

Resume is attached to this thread.

Thanks.

rogue2shadow

I haven't fully looked at it yet but remove your email address for the TE version of it. I would move the "Professional experience" header to align with the "Education" header (left align). I think you could actually have your own cert header based on the number of certs you have and you can list it both ways so HR goons pick it up.

phantasm

I looked it over and these are my suggestions:

1. Remove the certification graphics. They clutter the resume.
2. Split your address and email/phone into right and left alignment (use a table with no border).
3. Your skillset should be in bullets.
4. Set the same alignment for all sections as needed. Case in point can be seen on the 2nd page .
5. Remove certifications you have not received. This was just told to me today as well. If you do not have the MCTS: AD, MCTS: NI, MCITP:SA, CCENT or CCNA then remove them from the resume. It adds clutter and looks like you are padding your resume. Bad juju.
6. Consistency. Use the same tabs and paragraph spacing throughout.
7. Lastly, remove the "References available upon request".

Just my .02 for now.

edit to add:

8. Use consistent tense throughout. You should decide right away whether your resume will be in past or present tense.
9. Professional accomplishments in the experience section should also have bullets.

Michael.J.Palmer

Done, I actually had both headers left aligned originally but hit some editing issues when it came to adding in new work experience. Everytime I went to tab in on a new line underneath the "Experience" part it'd tab that over as well, I fixed it by finally remembering how to tab a new line over in the first place without Windows trying to do the work for me and that's by using ctrl + tab.

Anyways, wasn't too worried about my email being visible, I mean I use my real name on here for crying out loud so it's not like I've got much I can hide from the outside world.

Essendon

phantasm has some good suggestions. I'll add a few:

1. Bullet-point the different lines in your relevant experience section. So,

>> Troubleshoot and repair hardware/software.
>> Performed all tasks listed in the Skills Summary section.

2. Pad the experience section, not technical skills. Add a couple more lines each in all your roles.
3. I'd rather say, Desktop/Network Support Technician/Engineer rather than a specialist, HR goons might think this guy is after advanced roles.
4. Take off the References available upon request line, if they need references they'll ask for it.

Michael.J.Palmer

Thanks for the advice guys, I've made the changes listed above and I'll see what happens. I'll keep you guys posted.

earweed

Not to be nit-picky but what technology was involved that allowed you to "share" the application? Unless you are limited by a signed NDA with the bank about disclosing what technology they use then that may also be a plus to mention.
Most of the relevent suggestions have already been made. You've got the skills to get noticed, you just need to put them out there in a way that will get noticed.

Michael.J.Palmer

It was just simply placing it into a share folder on one of the XP machines and accessing that share folder from each individual computer, no additional technology needed, that's why I didn't list any. I guess I could say it was shared in a Windows environment somehow on the resume and that'll fix any confusion.

it_consultant

I would spend some time with formatting and getting it absolutely perfect, this looks like a MS Word template. There is nothing wrong with using the template, just remember that most of your competition is using the same template. Go to an MBA website and look at their resume templates, incorporate the professionalism they use with all your technical stuff.

If you are going to use the graphics I would put them in the footer area. Size them so they are all equal.