Resume advice ASAP

CodeBlox

I applied for a System admin position within my company about a week ago. Me and another gentlemen were tested and were told that we both did well. They are requesting updated resumes from us today or tomorrow. I have been studying for MCITP:SA but haven't passed any of the exams yet. How should I list this on my resume? SHOULD I list anything about it on my resume? I'm going to be revising it tonight and submitting it tomorrow. I think some of this stuff would be in my favor to list on there. I'm not trying to fluff my resume, some of this stuff from the study material I already understood from experience I obtained on job.

networker050184

If you haven't passed any of the exams I wouldn't add it on there. If you had at least passed an exam or two I'd say put in progress. I would have brought it up at the interview though.

ptilsen

You could list that you are pursuing it, but personally, I prefer not to do that and when reviewing resumes, prefer not to see it. If you have passed any of the tests, it is worth listing, especially in this case since each one has standalone value as an MCST certification. Until you have passed a test, I see "pursuing" on a resume as a negative; it shows you are possibly trying to learn something, but don't yet have anything to show for it.

A better resume would use the space to show what you have applied on the job. Showing you've applied the concepts in non-trivial manner on the job is better than showing you're studying them.

CodeBlox

There was no interview for this position. Only a written "test" to gauge where our knowledge stands. This was for an internal posting. That isn't to say there won't be an interview sometime this week.

cruwl

I would list the skills/tech you already use on the job and you are studying that relates to the job. Or list the tasks/roles you already perform that relate to the new position

neilperry

To hijack this thread, how should I go about listing my certifications when it comes to being in the middle of the MCSA:2008 certification track? I currently have the MCTS listed for my 70-640 as "Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 2008 Active Directory, Configuration" and its taking up two lines (which is a 'big' deal for me as I am really trying to keep my resume to a single page) and when I eventually earn the 70-642 I wasn't sure how I was going to fit it in.

At that point can I change the above just to "Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist" and list "MCSA:2008 (in progress)"? I don't want my resume to be misleading but I want to be able to list what I've earned and not shortchange myself.

ptilsen

I wouldn't do in progress at all. I have three MCTS so I do it like this:
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist:

MCTS: Windows 2008 Active Directory, Configuration

MCTS: Windows 2008 Networking Infrastructure, Configuration

MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration

Or something to that effect. I wouldn't get too hung up on getting the whole MCTS in there, though. You'll be getting more hits off of the names of the certifications.

networker050184

neilperry wrote: »

At that point can I change the above just to "Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist" and list "MCSA:2008 (in progress)"? I don't want my resume to be misleading but I want to be able to list what I've earned and not shortchange myself.

That's how I've done it in the past and never had an issue.

CodeBlox

For some reason I feel I did myself a disservice not listing any of the stuff I learned from my studies toward this certification on my resume. I really chose not to because I didn't want to fluff the resume. I say that because some of those things I've never actually done in production but they are things I know I could do. Other things, I've done at home in a lab. Too late now, the resume was submitted two days ago. Shouldn't be long before I find out if I'm out of helpdesk work for good or not.

higherho

Its fine to do. Look how everyone puts a "in progress" or "expected" date for their degree but don't have it yet. You can do the same thing for your certification studies or at least word it in your summary. The notion that its wrong to do is just false. Your resume is supposed to be built to market yourself, your skills, and your knowledge. I listed on my resume summary that I went through the whole CCNA networking academy and during a Network Administrator technical review that helped me out a lot and they were happy that I pursued it. They did ask if I was getting the cert and I stated I put my test date on hold because of financial reasons but I will be able to obtain it within 90 days and they were happy with that.