Unable to find job? (Arizona)

Hey all,

I've been a lurker these past few months, and would appreciate some advice. I have been involved in the IT realm since I was 18 (currently 23), and have recently pursued getting my ICND1(June of this year) and ICND2(July of this year), and have been looking to position myself into something more career-oriented. I have sent resumes out for the past 4 weeks now, and only had one reply back from a company who was somewhat interested in me for a NOC Engineer / Sys admin position. Needless to say, I wasn't chosen for the position, and I feel like I'm somewhat at a loss right now. I just feel like I should have gotten a few more responses by now. To give you an idea of the experience that I have had: I did on-call computer repair from the age of 18 to the age of 20. At the age of 20, I started working as a remote web admin / system admin for a day-trading company located in NY, and still manage it today. For those who live in the Phoenix area, is the job market saturated currently? Are there any other certifications one would suggest to get an entry-level position? Perhaps someone in this area knows of a position that needs to be filled?

Thanks in advance,
Ryan

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Comments

YFZblu

Did you achieve your CCNA?

icehac

REMOVED UNNECESSARY QUOTE

I did obtain it. Scored a 944 on the ICND2 test. Currently working on the RHCSA cert now.

Essendon

Perhaps you need to have your resume reviewed if you aint getting the interviews. Sanitize and post it up here for a good (and free!) critique.

Welcome to the forums and good luck!

boobobobobob

Get your CCNA it will open alot of doors for you... it did for me.

YFZblu

You may want to post your resume' in this thread so we can review it. There is a good amount of IT work to be found in Phoenix (I live in Phoenix) and even with a small amount of non-helpdesk experience you should be getting calls; additionally even if the CCNA itself doesn't warrant a pure networking job it shows a level of technical understanding that is valuable to employers.

icehac

@Essendon

That sounds like a great idea. I will throw it up here shortly. Perhaps my resume does suck. Thanks for the advice!

@YFZblu

I'm not even looking entirely for a networking job at this point. I mainly got the CCNA to prove i have some knowledge and drive for IT. I have been aggressively sending resumes out the past 4 weeks, but 4 weeks prior somewhat passively.

icehac

I am unable to upload / link an address due to permission errors . Here is my resume in text format.

Name
#
@Email

EDUCATION
Completion of ICND1 (CCENT) – June 2013
Completion of ICND2 (CCNA) – July 2013
RHCSA Candidate
InterfaceTT; Tempe, AZ, (Anticipated October 2013)

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Assistant Manager, My Location (Pawn Shop) 2010 – present
Peoria, AZ
• Earned a reputation as a valuable and cooperative coworker by: being
   fair, honest, and willing to help others when needed; effectively resolving
  conflicts at appropriate times; and assisting new managers and other
 staff to become familiar with policy and operations
• Implemented e-commerce systems for improved cash flow.
• Effective in stressful situations.
• Helped prioritize work schedules and delegated assignments.
• Dealt tactfully and effectively with difficult customers.
• Works with very culturally diverse individuals.

Remote Web Admin, My Location 2010 – Present
http://www.mywebsite.com, New York, NY
• Installed and maintains CentOS based server.
• Had proposed the idea of using CentOS for security and efficiency
   reasons
• Designed and created website template and layout using CSS, PHP, and
   HTML code.
• Maintains steady up-time.
• Monitor incoming and outgoing packets for potential threats.
• Built and maintains SQL database that allows users to interact on php
   based forums and a client-portal.
• Installed and maintains virtual software.
• Handles technical support for clients and customers.
• Spoken in webinars involving more than 500 participants.
• Upgrades and maintains CentOS patches and updates.
• Upgrades and maintains server hardware and lan hardware when clientele
   increases.
• Creates and maintains user groups and permissions accessibility on the server
   for other developers.
• Documents how to use specific tools on the server (ie: compilers), and
   operating system changes for developers.
• Trains developers on how to use the operating system and compilers.
• Created and maintains scripts that allow the virtual software to start when the
   server is turned on.

On Call Technician, My Location, 2008 – 2010
Avondale, AZ
• Offered effective services via telephone queries.
• Software Troubleshooting and Maintenance.
• Hardware Troubleshooting and Maintenance.
• Met client's needs and specifications for office / business needs (DHCP servers,
   DNS servers, Email servers, Firewalls, etc.).
• Designed and implemented routing tables with proper subnets.
• Operating system repairs (Windows & Linux).
• Maintained and implemented home and office security.
• Worked with a diverse population of clientele

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Systems Administration
•Installed and maintained CentOS based servers.
• Administered CentOS servers running Apache, MySQL, and
   VirtualBox.
• Performed account management by creating user accounts and managing
   permissions.
• Performed and maintained kernel/operating system updates.
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Administration – 4 Years
• Apache - 4 years
• Mysql - 4 years
• Windows Server: 2003, – 2008 RC2 – 3 Years
Operating Systems
• Linux Systems (Gentoo, Debian, Arch, etc.) – 8 Years
• Windows: XP – 8 – 10 Years

Programming Languages
• PHP with MySQL – 1 Years
• Unix Bash – 3 Years
• Microsoft Visual Basic 6 – 3 Years
• Java – 1 Year
• C++ – 2 Year
• C# – 2 Year

Security Auditing Tools
• Aircrack / Airsnort – 3 Years
• BackTrak – 3 Years
• Metasploit – 3 Years
• Nessus – 1 years
• Cain & Able – 3 Year
• John the Ripper – 3 years
• Nmap – 3 Year
• Wireshark – 2 Year

Software Applications
• Microsoft Office 98-2007 & Mac – 10 Years
• HTML, CSS, and JavaScript – 7 Years
• Adobe Suite (Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Illustrator) – 8 Years
Virtualization
• VMware Player, Oracle VM VirtualBox – 3 Years

Hatch1921

This was in my Facebook feed yesterday....

IT Help Desk Support L2 job - Mytek Network Solutions - Phoenix, AZ | Indeed.com

Have you thought about going through someone like TEKsystems? They have an office here in the Valley. I called the other day about security clearances.. and the guy wanted me to send over my resume.. and I'm not looking. So.. maybe give them a shot? http://www.teksystems.com

Hope this helps.
Hatch

netsysllc

I was going to PM you but you do not have enough posts yet. Give me something I could use to see if your resume was one of many I have gotten in the last few weeks.

icehac

**FIXED** Resume is listed above, thank you admin!. As far as something that would stand out from the crowd. ..one of my jobs that I have listed is being an assistant manager at a pawn shop for three years.

@Hatch, I have sent my resume their way. I really appreciate it! Thanks