Frustrated.. Still not getting job calls.

gdeusthewhizkid

Hey guys,

After not getting my raise in june at my current job. I went out and got about 8 different IT certifications since June and even entered WGU. I was going to wait to finish WGU but i am desperate for a substantial pay increase. I wouldve thought more jobs wouldve been interested in me now. Is there a certification I need to make my resume pop that I obviously dont have right now..

looking to hear you guys ideas.

nosoup4u

REMOVED UNNECESSARY QUOTED REPLY FROM PREVIOUS POST
Have you posted up your resume for a critique?

gdeusthewhizkid

REMOVED UNNECESSARY QUOTED REPLY FROM PREVIOUS POST
no but i got my resume professionally done over.

taternuts666

Where are you located?

NotHackingYou

Are you applying for positions in which your experience and certifications are relevant? Certs + Starting at college isn't a magic formula for more money. You will need to post your resume if you think your resume is where you need help.

EV42TMAN

without knowing you're experience or seeing your resume, I'd say the CCNA would help. After i got the CCNA the number of cold calls from head hunter went up exponentially for me.

networker050184

You can have all the certs in the world, but if you don't have the experience to back them up they aren't going to do much for you. All of the certifications you have listed seem fairly entry level. What type of jobs are you applying for?

I also second posting your resume up for review. Some of the worst resumes I've seen where written by 'professionals.'

kurosaki00

I also second the motion of posting your resume.

Also like others have said, your certs are pretty entry level, so Im guessing you are applying to something like that. Or maybe you have more advance skills in your resume?

Ivanjam

EV42TMAN wrote: »

without knowing you're experience or seeing your resume, I'd say the CCNA would help. After i got the CCNA the number of cold calls from head hunter went up exponentially for me.

I agree with EV42TMAN - get the CCNA and possibly MCTS Win 7 Config...

Concerned Water

Like networker said, professionals make some really bad resumes.

Post your resume.

Michael2

Wow, 8 certs since June! You've certainly been busy. Like everyone said, look over your resume yourself. Make sure there are no ambiguities. For instance, a lot of "pro's" like to leave out the months and just put down the years for previous jobs. That's a bad idea.

The bottom line is that only the most qualified person, not just any qualified person, is going to get the job every time. You might have to stick it out in your current position for a few more years.

You definitely need an IT degree so WGU is a pretty good idea. If you already have an IT degree, you're good there.

Post your resume on LinkedIn if you haven't already. You can also start your own computer servicing business doing virus removal and upgrades and stuff like that.

It's very difficult in the modern world to break into IT because technology is so easy to use.

it_consultant

gdeusthewhizkid wrote: »

Hey guys,

After not getting my raise in june at my current job. I went out and got about 8 different IT certifications since June and even entered WGU. I was going to wait to finish WGU but i am desperate for a substantial pay increase. I wouldve thought more jobs wouldve been interested in me now. Is there a certification I need to make my resume pop that I obviously dont have right now..

looking to hear you guys ideas.

What do you mean "about 8"? Is it 7,8, or 9?

sratakhin

None of these certs are really impressive unless you are looking for a helpdesk position.

Krones

If you are expecting a pot of gold for earning a bunch of entry level certifications you are looking at this the wrong way. Unless you become a CCIE but a CCIE is basically a RL wizard that can shoot fireballs and teleport packets without the physical layer. And if you earned the CCIE with no networking experience you would probably be sent back to Kobol for being a cylon. Seriously, congrats on passing your certs though. Just keep building up to higher level certs, (CCNA and Windows 7 config) more experience, finish up the degree and something will come along your way. At least you have a job, some of us with certs haven't even been that lucky.

Psoasman

I'd do as others have suggested and post your resume. Many of the people on this forum are responsible for hiring, so you'll get more bang for your buck and honest feedback on the resume.

Getting a job in IT can be difficult. It helps to know the "right" person. I'd continue focusing on your degree, as that will likely pay bigger dividends for you in the long run, along with the experience you are gaining at your job.

cyberguypr

Can't stress enough the importance of the resume. The fact that you had it professionally done does not necessarily mean it is a good resume. I've seen many professional resumes with a myriad of problems including being too generic, not focusing on the candidate's strengths, leaving employment gaps, and many other issues. The fact that you are not getting calls definitely means something is wrong. Sanitize it and post it so we can provide suggestions.

As other folks mentioned, all your certs are entry level. You should be focusing on higher level certs. That is what will make your resume pop. When I was doing helpdesk I was working on my MCITP:EA. Now I'm a systems admin and I'm working on CISSP. After that I'll be on to other high level security certs. You have to show progression with experience, education, and certs. Thats how you'll get noticed.

Devilry

Another vote for posting the resume here. Just redact your personal info, how can it hurt?

jibbajabba

I had one done for giggles (won a voucher for that so didn't pay anything). The most shocking bit was that the details of the word document they sent me had the company details as author noted. True, they did do it, but the last thing you want is a company noticing that you didn't write it yourself.

And yes, looked horrendous. Like a (very) bad template you can download.

StussyNz

Experience is the key. Start off at an Entry level position and work your way up.

Zartanasaurus

If you're not getting interviews, either your resume sucks or you are applying for jobs above your level. Figure out which one it is and correct that. The fact that you are desperate for a pay increase and think a bunch of entry level certs are going to lead you there, I lean towards the latter.

Nytrocide

After you get your CCNA do some people actually have people calling them? That sounds amazing XD

*continues studying CCENT*

Ricka182

This may or may not fly over well on a site targeted towards certs, but in real life, without experience, certs are worthless. I was in the same boat 10+ years ago, going out and loading up on certs, then finding out I still didn't have the real world knowledge of someone doing IT for a few years. You have mostly entry level certs, so your cert record says you are ready for a help-desk postion, and not much more.

I'll also agree with posting your resume, just black out the personal details. I also paid someone to write a resume for me, and it came out like a joke. It was a "professional" company, but no guarantees. I wound up having a sit-down interview with a new writer who really grilled me as to what I know, and and what I want to be doing. A few weeks later, I got the resume that landed me my first job with a $65k salary. I still get comments on how good it looks, even though I need to update to remove stuff from 6 years ago. I paid $125 for the first crap resume, and $200 for the 2nd one. Worth every penny for sure. I wish I could remember who it was, if I can I'll be happy to post it here.

ptilsen

I'll join the chorus of requests to post your resume. Just post it. I'd bet money it has serious flaws.

I see only five certifications on your profile here, and only three of them are real certifications (MTA and Strata are not). None of them will really get you a better job. MCP, A+, Net+ are great for entry-level positions, but they're unlikely to move you up very far. Maybe from support to less-entry-level support, but certainly not into any kind of admin position.

Keep up your studies at WGU for sure. For career purposes, you'll really want to grab an MCSA, CCNA, or RHCSA.

gdeusthewhizkid

Hey guys, I got a call for a helpdesk associate position today from a reputable company that was interested in me. I guess once i added that A+ it really helped. Anyway i feel like im passed a helpdesk position at this point but it's a better company with better pay so if it's offered to me i will take it. They are interested in me so im keeping my fingers crossed...

cyberguypr

So no resume for us to see?

jamesleecoleman

Ricka182,

It would be cool if you could post a copy of the resume but you spent a lot of money on a product and I wouldn't think it would be fair if you posted it without something in return. It's just how I feel about it. I know a lot of us are here to help each other.

Concerned Water

I had people calling when I only had my A+. After CCNA it tripled.

GeeLo

Hey Hi
Once in a while I’ll post on this forum.. as I like this forum a lot and especially if I can help out any new IT folks like yourself, I am relaying to you some tips. I.. myself.. am still learning.. I’ve been in Information Technology (several fields) for close to (maybe a bit over) “20 years” now.

A few tips and facts:
Your resume should be “one” page… just “one”. Also You should be editing it each time in regards to whatever I.T. job you are going for. If it is for example, Networking.. add the majority of experience that you have pertaining to networking. If the next job that you are going for is “security”, modify it again. A lot of jobs out there nowadays is more than just one “field”, so list your multi-disciplined experience to the job requirements that are listed.

There are a lot of sites out there that have “salary calculators” that you can see how much money per year (or month) a certain job title in “your area” gets. Reason being is because getting a new job is one thing.. but getting paid the amount that you want/need is another. Also, it gives you more power when discussing your salary with your prospective employer… you’ll find that the majority of employers try to “low ball” the salary on new hires.

Working with a job recruiter or a temp job agency may be the way to go.. at least for the short term . Remember, like others have said experience is very important, and it is hard going when other people have 5,10,15 or 20 years experience… and that you are going up against in regards to secure a job.

As a final tip.. and a lot of people find this hard to take, but the “most important” certification and training that you can have, is “basic hardware and software troubleshooting” in regards to any neutral vendor certification (Comptia A+, Ect..) and the reason is, that you “need” a basic foundation of hardware and software trouble shooting skills to work with and build on. Even if you are a network engineer or even a security specialist, the knowledge that you get from basic troubleshooting from hardware to software is “imperative” . You would not believe the amount of people that I have seen, that have several certifications, but have “zero” troubleshooting skills. Time and Time again.. I am so happy that I first started as a PC Hardware / Software technician and gained certifications and all of that read world knowledge.

Good Luck to You.
-Geelo

N2IT

Out of all your certifications the only one that will get you any hits on a consistent basis is A+.

Concerned made a great statement that I agree with and can believe.

gdeusthewhizkid

resume for review.docresume for review.doc

Enclosed is a copy of my resume for review

lenell86

Wow, and that was professionally done? I hope you didn't pay more than 1 dollar for that atrocious resume.

Your experience and certs are fine imo, just all the fluff they put (like nic cards? lol) I'd get more critique from other TE's on this, I would do it but I'm at work but I can tell you this: your resume is what's holding you back, not your background/experience in terms of getting calls for the right type of job.