No luck since 2009

Well, I think my resume has came along way. I have attachments as you can see how it has evolved over the past few days. From start to final you can this thing has evolved THANKS guys!!

Updated ** 8/10/2012 I've actually been receiving calls now. It's unbelievable how much a resume means. Thanks again techexams.net forums!

Resume 1.jpg

Changes to Resume.jpg

Resume 2.jpg

resume revamped.jpg

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Comments

jwedlund

what part of KY do you live in currently? I live in Lexington right now and haven't had to much of an issue finding work but most of it has been contract temp to hire until i recieved my current job at the start of last month and became a permanent employee for a medium sized company. I've been looking since earlier this year and only have my associates and a few certs under my belt. So it can be done just keep looking. Also have you tried the universities. I think university of KY is looking for people right now in thier IT department.

IndyLoveless

Might want to try the Indianapolis area, a lot of IT jobs up here.

NetworkVeteran

I have my A+ Network+ and Security+. Shouldn't this be enough to get my IT career started??

Certainly!

I figured starting pay would be at least 15 an hour.

Maybe, but that's not a given. Your starting pay might be closer to $12/hour. I mean, an A+ is hardly the pinnacle of certification. It's an "I have the minimum requirements." sorta thing.

Never got one call.

It might help if you took charge, looked for openings, and made phone calls.

here is my online version Johnahan Howard's VisualCV - Johnahan Howard . Any help would be appreciated.

Let's have a look.

One turn-off, for me, is that you gexaggerate your skills and experience. An example--

Resume wrote:

"Networking(Expert) 1-2 Years Experience"

You're a self-professed expert at networking.. with a Network+?! I also checked your work history and see no evidence of 1-2 years of experience in networking.

Your employment record is spotty. You don't stay at jobs long enough to be useful and recoup the costs associated with hiring/training you. For example, your only technical role lasted from "Late 2009" to "Early 2010" (It must be REALLY short if you won't list the months!) and you describe that as, "this job lasted for a while.." It sounds like you were fired, and I wonder why, because no sane manager fires someone for asking for "maybe some jobs closer to the Lexington area." And before this, we get--"I only worked some of these jobs for 1 or 2 months at a time.." This makes you a risky prospect to potential employers, who want someone who sticks around.

Resume wrote:

The paint line paints all the completed parts the color red, the Joy Global trademark color.

Your resume, while it has a reasonable structure, includes many pointless details. Do you imagine this matters to employers looking for someone to staff the help desk? You could write a shorter resume, increasing the chance an employer will learn your strengths before moving on.

Resume wrote:

made some keys dealt with a few customers face to face, mostly to see where an item was, also done some night time stocking.

You might also work on your grammar. This resume is your first impression.

Much of this can be improved upon with a little polishing. Good luck on your journey!

kanecain

If you are willing to move to the Louisville area, my company is ALWAYS hiring electrical engineers. PM me.

healthyboy

volunteer to get experience,

m3zilla

I'm hoping your resume isn't an exact copy of what you posted. 3 years experience backing up data, 10 years experience troubleshooting, 2 years experience with network, 2 years experience with security....and you managed to pick up all that experience working as a Laptop Repair Tech for 6 months?

I would scale back on what you list on your resume, so it doesn't look like your lying through your teeth. When you're starting out, Microsoft certs are one of the more beneficial, regardless of what direction you want to go in. If you need to get into IT or find an entry level position such as Help Desk...get some MS certs.

P.S It wouldn't make much of a difference, but I'd would use a more professional email address as your contact information. Not sure what carmargoville is, but it always annoy me when I see someone use something like kittyxoxo@yahoo.com when they email a resume

nhan.ng

I'm not gonna go over your resume since other posters already brought up some of the issues on there. But the thing that stood out is this

I graduated in 2009 with a dual associate in applied science, Computer engineering technology and electronic engineering technology.

Does this mean you have 2 AS degrees? and these two AS degrees are for Computer Engineer Technology and EE Technology? Notice i highlighted the Technology parts? In short, these two degree prepares you for Computer Engineering/EE related field. Well, at least that's what my school offer when students cant handle the technical parts of the studies but still want to be in that field.

astrogeek

Your online profile has no focus at all, are you trying to get a job as a welder or a job in IT? Your profile, as well as your resume, should have a clear focus of what you want to do. Your summary makes it sound like you don't really know or care what you want to do and expect the hiring manager to fit you in wherever they can. You also have contradictions on your profile, are you or are you not Security+ certified? The bottom says you were certified on 7/27/12, but further up you say you are still studying for it. I'd also remove all the Rockstar and Expert notations, this is supposed to be a professional profile isn't it?

Your most recent job experience has nothing to do with IT, again this makes it confusing as to what it is you want to do, but you should at least prove you are a good worker and find an unpaid internship to get some good experience. That would tell any potential employer exactly what you want to do and how motivated you are to do it. It might be enough to let them ignore your shoddy prior work experience, which hopefully is worded better in your resume than your online profile.

Camargoville

Woah, I wasn't expecting so many replys lol. I actually haven't updated my online resume as of yet. These are some great notes though. My resume I actually send out isn't like this at all, maybe I should put it on here. The visual cv was just sort of a test thing since its new. I'll get right on all of these suggestions and post back ASAP.

nhan.ng wrote: »

I'm not gonna go over your resume since other posters already brought up some of the issues on there. But the thing that stood out is this

Does this mean you have 2 AS degrees? and these two AS degrees are for Computer Engineer Technology and EE Technology? Notice i highlighted the Technology parts? In short, these two degree prepares you for Computer Engineering/EE related field. Well, at least that's what my school offer when students cant handle the technical parts of the studies but still want to be in that field.

Yes I do, it's what I'm considering as experience for all the LAb hours.

YFZblu

I got my first IT job (Help desk) with no degree, no certs, and no experience. IMO you easily have enough to get something started in the industry, but you need to be willing to start at entry-level, which I think you're willing to do. I also think your willingness to relocate helps tremendously.

Great advice so far, so I won't add much. As you can see there are lots of talented people on this site who are more than willing to share advice - You came to the right place. My two cents: Make the changes to your resume, and keep sending it out - don't stop until you have a job. If you haven't already you should be registered at Dice, Monster, Careerbuilder, LinkedIN, etc. You'll be fine, but you must be patient, and you must be persistent. Good luck!

Camargoville

Most current resume. I don't know what to do about the spotty work, I was going to college at the time and moving back and fourth it was a mess at that time, not to mention my mother got cancer and I even had to drop out of college for a while. Should I not even put it on my resume for the employers? I don't want the HR manager to think I'm a bad worker because of it, obviously I'm not I hate my job right now and I've been there 2 years lol Is there a more professional email than Gmail? I guess I would need to put example. "Johnathan.Howard@whatever.com" I always considered camargoville a kind of professional email because where I lived in camargo and salyersville lol but I guess its a good point. All the rest of this I'll try to get to work on my updated Online one, I've had a few people tell me that my online one just sucks, so I guess I need to change it or just get rid of it completely. I'll be working on it monday morning, since I gotta rest up for my crap job tonight for 3rd shift.

Resume 1.jpg

Resume 2.jpg

Danielh22185

My resume I actually send out isn't like this at all, maybe I should put it on here

^^ I would highly suggest that then. We are working with what you provided.

Getting a job is going to be an effort for you to sell yourself. A resume that has inaccurate information regarding your past work experience is going to do nothing but throw red flags. When people are looking for experience they are looking for real world experience. I would suggest staying away from listing Lab hours or study hours as actual experience in the field. Instead list the time you spent studying under your education. List the skills of what you have gained through your studies.

Be truthful, you are looking for an entry level position. Don't try to oversell yourself. Tailor your resume to what you are looking to achieve and what you can do. You have the entry level certs that will help get you noticed. I think that is a plus factor working in your favor.

I think the main reason why you haven't gotten as many call backs is because people are probably feeling a bit confused about your level of experience / professional focus. Post up your new resume and we can continue to help you along with some additional critiques. Good luck to ya!

Camargoville

Well, I posted my other resume and worked on my online one. I guess the mods have to look over the pics before they are published, if anyone wants me to email them a copy of it too to help me out im up for that.

jwedlund wrote: »

what part of KY do you live in currently? I live in Lexington right now and haven't had to much of an issue finding work but most of it has been contract temp to hire until i recieved my current job at the start of last month and became a permanent employee for a medium sized company. I've been looking since earlier this year and only have my associates and a few certs under my belt. So it can be done just keep looking. Also have you tried the universities. I think university of KY is looking for people right now in thier IT department.

I live in salyersville ky, but I lived in Lexington when I went to school trying to make it back that way.

WiseWun

Why don't you post your resume online and link it back here. Reading your online profile, you sound desperate by stating "I will work any shift for the right situation" and "I'm just looking for the right job opportunity." If your applying for shift work, the employer already knows your flexible so no need put that in, in most cases, they will ask.

I would definitely not include Frame Welder/Robot Operator as my recent work experience if I was applying for an IT job. Employers are thinking, why hasn't anyone picked you up for the past 2 years. Here is what I would do, get your CCNA and MS certifications, Security+ ain't going to do you any justice if you don't have the experience and A+ is a joke.

Volunteer at a local community, apply for intern positions, and network with other professionals (LinkedIn), join professional groups, etc. Also, get rid of your objective "Wanting to become one of the top computer technicians, and become a project leader", becoming a computer tech and a project leader is two different things. What your lacking is focus, you need to discipline yourself. I never heard of visualcv but if I was to include this in my resume, I would get a professional photo. Best of luck

Camargoville

WiseWun wrote: »

Why don't you post your resume online and link it back here. Reading your online profile, you sound desperate by stating "I will work any shift for the right situation" and "I'm just looking for the right job opportunity." If your applying for shift work, the employer already knows your flexible so no need put that in, in most cases, they will ask.

I would definitely not include Frame Welder/Robot Operator as my recent work experience if I was applying for an IT job. Employers are thinking, why hasn't anyone picked you up for the past 2 years. Here is what I would do, get your CCNA and MS certifications, Security+ ain't going to do you any justice if you don't have the experience and A+ is a joke.

Volunteer at a local community, apply for intern positions, and network with other professionals (LinkedIn), join professional groups, etc. Also, get rid of your objective "Wanting to become one of the top computer technicians, and become a project leader", becoming a computer tech and a project leader is two different things. What your lacking is focus, you need to discipline yourself. I never heard of visualcv but if I was to include this in my resume, I would get a professional photo. Best of luck

Thanks wisewun, I have jpegs of my resume being reviewed it says so it should show up sometime today. You don't think a technical degree with 3 certifications could get my foot in the door? It's hard for me to volunteer and work full time also, it's 3rd shift so it's even harder. I've already made a lot of changes people suggested before you got to look at it lol. Maybe its shaping up a bit more but sounds like it needs more work. Try to get a focus point seems like my biggest flaw from what I've read. Should I even put non-technical jobs on it?

YFZblu

WiseWun wrote: »

and A+ is a joke.

Completely disagree, considering employers explicitly ask for it. The A+ is a sensible move for someone without experience.

gunbunnysoulja

YFZblu wrote: »

Completely disagree, considering employers explicitly ask for it. The A+ is a sensible move for someone without experience.

+1. A+ is highly recommended for anyone starting out in IT.

Your resume does need a lot of work. Check grammar, take off stuff not related to IT, remove interests, remove redundancies, summary needs a bit of rewording, reword objective...

You really need to sell yourself when it comes to job interviews. Something is apparently wrong if you aren't even getting a call back for several years. Come across as the best person for the job. Starting out in IT isn't just about being technical, it's actually more customer service than anything. This means you need to have an outgoing, friendly personality. A cover letter can certainly help for this, although your resume does need to shine. Don't just wait for someone to call you. Be very proactive. Go to places in person, check all the craigslist ads... Dice, Indeed, Monster, etc...

I'm assuming potential employers don't see that online version with the picture, right?

Devilry

I think your resume needs some college educated grammar and honesty. Your resume is a reflection of you, your skills and will most likely translate into your personality/interview skills (at least an employer thinks so). Your resume screams 'I iz gud with 'puters, I been fixen them forever' with a thick forest gump accent. I don't mean this to be harsh, it is constructive criticism to help you get a job.

Think of a person you think its a a-hole and always correcting the way you talk, that you know is a book nerd and contact them; preferably highly educated. You need to get someone to look at your resume and help. You can always pay for one, also.

One last tip, i'm a southern boy, too, so I know from experience: Lose the accent when you talk! at least in the workplace.

jwedlund

If you haven't already as others have said register for job boards such as career builder, Monster, and indeed. Also make a profile on the university of KY jobs site as they typically only post their openings to their job boards there. Craigslist could also become your friend i've had some luck with it but it's mostly just scams in the lexington area for job postings there.

WiseWun

YFZblu wrote: »

Completely disagree, considering employers explicitly ask for it. The A+ is a sensible move for someone without experience.

The test is a joke, a degree is better than A+. If your dealing with the government DOD for example, then it might matter because they play by the book. I think it's worthless where I live, most employers don't bother asking. This is just my experience.

Camargoville wrote: »

You don't think a technical degree with 3 certifications could get my foot in the door?

I strongly think so. I'm flabbergasted as to why you can't get a job. From what we can tell, your resume or should I say online profile is what's holding you back. And this is a mere fact because you have never received a call or even been to an interview. As many have suggested, work on your resume, there are loads of CV templates available, seek assistance, visit your career counselor and have them look at your resume, this should be a free service since your a graduate.

Roughly speaking, how many jobs did you apply since 2009? Were you searching everyday for 2 years or just gave up and decided to go work at a factory?

gunbunnysoulja

WiseWun wrote: »

The test is a joke, a degree is better than A+. If your dealing with the government DOD for example, then it might matter because they play by the book. I think it's worthless where I live, most employers don't bother asking. This is just my experience.

I would certainly hope that a degree is better than A+, or MOST certifications for that matter. But I'm not sure how that relates to A+ being a joke. It is what it is, an entry level certification that shows a certainly level of competency. And while it may not have been beneficial to you where you currently are located, that certainly doesn't negate the hundreds/thousands here that found it very beneficial, including myself.

Just curious, where do you live?

YFZblu

WiseWun wrote: »

The test is a joke, a degree is better than A+. If your dealing with the government DOD for example, then it might matter because they play by the book. I think it's worthless where I live, most employers don't bother asking. This is just my experience.

A search of 'A+' on Dice.com returns 647 pages of employers expecting an A+ certification from their technicians. Not 647 employers, 647 pages of employers. I also recall having to get it for work because we were a Dell shop and Dell was requiring the Desktop Support guys to have it for warranty purposes.

Of course a degree is better than the A+, but why not have both?? IMO telling someone without IT experience to forego the A+ is bad advice.

Camargoville

WiseWun wrote: »

Roughly speaking, how many jobs did you apply since 2009? Were you searching everyday for 2 years or just gave up and decided to go work at a factory?

In 2009 I got one job that was Toshiba Under adecco engineering and technical. This was without certs too. I was driving 220 miles day to even get to the job, therefore I asked them for something closer. They gave me project jobs going to hospitals that lasted 1-2 weeks at a time every month. After the first of the year was up and all the projects was done I had to do something. So I moved back home lol. My mother is who got me the job at the factory. I said I wont be there more than 6 months.... turn around its 2 years. Also I've applied every single day since I started at this dead end job. This year I decided to finally get my certs, I would literally sneak in the bathroom to read up on books that I bought so I could pass them haha.

Added links to Original Post.
here it is also

https://rapidshare.com/files/3698762787/Johnathan%20Howard%20Resume%208_6.docx

Sorry its rapidshare its all I have lol.

Bokeh

Ok as far as volunteering goes, look at volunteermatch.com. They have several IT positions open on weekends. Lots are at group homes or senior centers helping people learn about computers, etc. Network with friends, relatives and see if any of the organizations, churches, etc they belong to could use a hand on weekends. Where theres a will, theres a way.

lunchbox67

Camargoville wrote: »

I was lazy and thought I could slip by with the bare minimum

That is the biggest problem I see.

Legacy User

Regardless of how much you may think A+ is a joke its still recognized by employers for entry positions.

Camargoville

lunchbox67 wrote: »

That is the biggest problem I see.

Your a ton of help.... Here to get some actually help not be flamed or trolled by you.

I don't think A+ is a waste of time, I think its well worth it's place in the IT world. A-lot of jobs I search for require it also.

cyberguypr

OP, you need to spend some serious time optimizing that resume. Right now that is the main obstacle you are facing. If you can't make it past the HR goons your situation will never improve.

Camargoville

cyberguypr wrote: »

OP, you need to spend some serious time optimizing that resume. Right now that is the main obstacle you are facing. If you can't make it past the HR goons your situation will never improve.

I've worked on it some today, also updated my Linkedin and Visualcv... I've got a headache lol. Everyone thanks for the help today, but I've got to hit the hay. Hopefully someone will get a chance to take a look at my file and tell me whats wrong with it. Hope to wake up to some more posts.

Legacy User

Yup, all comes down too what mostly everyone mentioned. Start off by polishing your resume and cover letter. Refine your interview skills have a serious mock interview with a friend or family member with a list of generic interview questions you find online that they will ask you. Just get comfortable in your own skin selling yourself to the potential employer.