writing resume with no special skills

Chevel

Long story short I applied for a position within my company. I thought I would be a good fit considering what inquired from me during the interview process. Unfortunately for me it was not meant to be. Another co-worker got the position. We've been there for the amount of years and do the same job. The only thing I can think of was that the co-worker was involved in more projects while the rest of us did tickets.

How can one stand out if one is not allowed the opportunity to work on these "projects?"

I do the same thing day in and day out. Desktop Support what special skills can I write about? I understand the concepts and where I want to go with my resume. However I feel I have nothing worthy of standing out. I couldn't tell you the %of revenue saved for the company or how I "greatly contributed" the company?

I trying to find a new job and gain more experience but with such poor skill set I dont see any chances of that happening.

Chevel

106 view and no suggestions. Please I know there's some vets with suggestions please.

networker050184

You shouldn't be worried about what to put if you can't get on the projects, you should be worried about how to convince them to let you on the projects. Have you asked to be involved?

Chevel

Thank you for responding networker. I am concerned because when I ask to work on projects I'm turned away. Yet the other co-worker has been doing projects while the rest of us do tickets. Even with the job that came up I was told not to apply because they wanted experience. The co-worker who got the new position has no experience. The rest of us in the office find it strange about the circumstances but like you say what can you do.

Oh yes more than enough times I've asked to work on any special projects Being a desktop support you have quite a bit a down times so I ask other departments if they have anything I can assist while learning. The answer is always "no."

I don't know what else to do besides apply for a new job elsewhere?

networker050184

Are you excelling at your current work? Do you go above and beyond? You have to show that you can handle it. If the guy that usually does the projects is getting a different role someone will need to fill his shoes. Show them it's you!

If you think there is no way you will ever get the experience you need there then start looking for something else.

DigitalZeroOne

If someone performed well on a project, most companies are hesitant to bring on someone new. It seems as if your co-worker did well on the projects, so now he is called on when others come up. You just have to keep volunteering and you'll be given a chance. Also, keep in mind that your chance may come in the form of a new job, so keep learning more than the person next to you. Back in the early 2000's I was doing desktop support for 2 years, and I had to leave that organization before I was able to obtain my first Server Admin role.

BGraves

MY DUDE!

Stop being so HARD on yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (added for emphasis...)

People get hired over another person for any number of reasons! If you want to know why that person got the job, politely set up a time to talk with the person that made the hiring decision and see if you can find out why they chose that person over you.

It isn't some shady thing, you are trying to improve your chances of being hired in the future and want to know what they had that you didn't, how you can improve and grow so the next time an opportunity comes up you can be the one selected for it!

Don't assume anything! People get hired over others for a number of reasons. Perhaps that person appeared more professional, less nervous, (more confident!?), maybe he knew the president of the company, maybe he's someones nephew or uncle! lol Don't assume it's because he did more work!

For a resume on desktop support....

Yeah, you'd better figure out how many tickets you are knocking out weekly/monthly/annually. You should have some idea of the number of assets you maintain, the users you assist, and the man hours you've saved by improving better processes. You should have some idea of the dollar amount of company assets you are responsible for maintaining. You should have some idea of how much money you saved the company by showing up and doing your job. (What they pay you hourly VS what they would pay an outside IT company hourly to come in and do the same work you do.) If you get paid 15 an hour, and IT company gets paid 30-100 for the same work...how much have you saved the company yearly by hiring you?

Additionally, what are you doing outside of work to improve your situation? Learning a new IT skill? Pursuing a certification? Involved in a support forum to help other people? Involved in some sort of IT organization that you contribute to? Side jobs? etc? These are always something worth considering putting on a resume to show potential employers (or your own) that you are growing as an IT pro.

Tyb

You also have to look at things like education and certs, did he have these and you didn't? Sadly, sometimes it just comes to who knows how to do "office politics" better. If that's the case maybe start putting in applications for other opportunities.

Polynomial

I do desktop support and your experience is pretty typical. Few places actually plan out career paths for employees.

Jumping into a Master's program combined with tuition support from my employer was the best professional development decision I have made since graduating from undergrad.

Banks901

BGraves is right on point with his reply. Every time I have a interview I ask the employer "Why would you not choose me for this position?" It shows that your ambitious, you can take criticism, candor and your hungry for improvement. Whether or not I get the job I'll be more prepared next time.

I'm in a similar situation, but your actually better off than me. I'm a newbie in this industry, but I do know about building resumes. I have put in 30+ hours into customizing resumes to show how my duties at other jobs relate to the position I am applying for, and I have gotten positive feedback. When writing your resume you need to state action-oriented statements. Talk about numbers and how proficient you are in achieving tasks. You stated that you do the same thing day in and day out, but has their ever been a customer/ticket that you went above and beyond for? Put that in your resume as a key accomplishment. Have you suggested any ideas to your employer before? Put that in your resume. You always want to be honest in your resume, but if you have done it at least once on the job put it in your resume. A little fluff has never hurt anyone, just make sure it's not lie and don't over exaggerate.

The most important thing is to look at the job requirements and try to state relevant skills or duties throughout your resume. Also, don't list dull skills like "Good Communicator". Demonstrate how you communicated on the job. Example, "Proven record of collaborating with teams and implementing successful system changes by blah, blah, blah, blah..."

Also, what are you doing to show that you want to stay in the field? Do you have certifications or degrees? If you don't have it yet, put the date your graduating/getting your degree/certification and put "Expected date: 2014"... I have a non-technical degree and no formalized IT experience, but I am currently pursuing a MS Cybersecurity and in the Cisco Networking Academy for certifications. Is this impressive? Probably not, but it shows that I'm interested in the field and this is a question I always get.

Another suggestion, Do you write blogs or write articles relevant to the job? Put it on your resume.

There are probably a lot of things you could add to your resume that you may not realize you have experience in doing. Resumes should be specifically customized for each job. I still write cover letters, although some people may say it's not necessary. You have to go the extra step to stand out.

Anyhow, this is just my take on it...best of luck to you! I understand the struggle!

Chevel

Oh my wow, thank you all for the support and kind thoughts and words. I apologize if I sounded "whiny" I just take such great pride in my work and my ability to perform the job while maintaining good customer service skills. The co-worker has no customer service orient and has been disciplined on more and one occasion about it. I've been wanting to ask why I wasn't a good candidate but I feel it there would tension. So I'm just going to leave it alone.

Chevel

networker050184 wrote: »

Are you excelling at your current work? Do you go above and beyond? You have to show that you can handle it. If the guy that usually does the projects is getting a different role someone will need to fill his shoes. Show them it's you!

If you think there is no way you will ever get the experience you need there then start looking for something else.

Networker yes, I get my tickets done in a timely matter, updating them with the slightest new information. When new tickets come in myself and another co-worker are usually the first two to jump on them out of the four of us. Our volume count varies but I close an average of 60 tickets a month.

Chevel

DigitalZeroOne wrote: »

If someone performed well on a project, most companies are hesitant to bring on someone new. It seems as if your co-worker did well on the projects, so now he is called on when others come up. You just have to keep volunteering and you'll be given a chance. Also, keep in mind that your chance may come in the form of a new job, so keep learning more than the person next to you. Back in the early 2000's I was doing desktop support for 2 years, and I had to leave that organization before I was able to obtain my first Server Admin role.

Seem evidently, but again I don't know. I know they hardly do tickets and less so now because they received a "promotion." I'm at my 2 year mark for desktop support after doing a year and half of help desk. That's what I'm afraid of I really like this company and they give decent perks but it seems I'll have to leave it I want to get ahead.

Chevel

BGraves wrote: »

MY DUDE!

Stop being so HARD on yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (added for emphasis...)

People get hired over another person for any number of reasons! If you want to know why that person got the job, politely set up a time to talk with the person that made the hiring decision and see if you can find out why they chose that person over you.

It isn't some shady thing, you are trying to improve your chances of being hired in the future and want to know what they had that you didn't, how you can improve and grow so the next time an opportunity comes up you can be the one selected for it!

Don't assume anything! People get hired over others for a number of reasons. Perhaps that person appeared more professional, less nervous, (more confident!?), maybe he knew the president of the company, maybe he's someones nephew or uncle! lol Don't assume it's because he did more work!

For a resume on desktop support....

Yeah, you'd better figure out how many tickets you are knocking out weekly/monthly/annually. You should have some idea of the number of assets you maintain, the users you assist, and the man hours you've saved by improving better processes. You should have some idea of the dollar amount of company assets you are responsible for maintaining. You should have some idea of how much money you saved the company by showing up and doing your job. (What they pay you hourly VS what they would pay an outside IT company hourly to come in and do the same work you do.) If you get paid 15 an hour, and IT company gets paid 30-100 for the same work...how much have you saved the company yearly by hiring you?

Additionally, what are you doing outside of work to improve your situation? Learning a new IT skill? Pursuing a certification? Involved in a support forum to help other people? Involved in some sort of IT organization that you contribute to? Side jobs? etc? These are always something worth considering putting on a resume to show potential employers (or your own) that you are growing as an IT pro.

Thank you for the pep talk again I'm concerned because I care and take great pride in my work. I was even told by management that I do a "great job" but apparently not "great" enough.

I guess I need to ask the company how much I saved them although for a billion dollar company not sure what one person can do. I do part time IT work outside of my main job for extra cash. Nothing fancy. And if work is slow I play with software programs.

Chevel

Tyb wrote: »

You also have to look at things like education and certs, did he have these and you didn't? Sadly, sometimes it just comes to who knows how to do "office politics" better. If that's the case maybe start putting in applications for other opportunities.

We have the same certs and same qualifications. My recent studies toward a CCNA made them want to "get serious" more. I know there's some office soap opera but I try to stay out of it if I can. I have enough to worry about.

Chevel

Polynomial wrote: »

I do desktop support and your experience is pretty typical. Few places actually plan out career paths for employees.

Jumping into a Master's program combined with tuition support from my employer was the best professional development decision I have made since graduating from undergrad.

I've been searching for a job since the announcement that will provide me more experience in the IT field. I hope to get a call back soon for at least an interview. I've brought books for resume writing as well as interview skills. Hopefully they help me achieve the goal I have in mind.

Chevel

Banks901 wrote: »

BGraves is right on point with his reply. Every time I have a interview I ask the employer "Why would you not choose me for this position?" It shows that your ambitious, you can take criticism, candor and your hungry for improvement. Whether or not I get the job I'll be more prepared next time.

I'm in a similar situation, but your actually better off than me. I'm a newbie in this industry, but I do know about building resumes. I have put in 30+ hours into customizing resumes to show how my duties at other jobs relate to the position I am applying for, and I have gotten positive feedback. When writing your resume you need to state action-oriented statements. Talk about numbers and how proficient you are in achieving tasks. You stated that you do the same thing day in and day out, but has their ever been a customer/ticket that you went above and beyond for? Put that in your resume as a key accomplishment. Have you suggested any ideas to your employer before? Put that in your resume. You always want to be honest in your resume, but if you have done it at least once on the job put it in your resume. A little fluff has never hurt anyone, just make sure it's not lie and don't over exaggerate.

The most important thing is to look at the job requirements and try to state relevant skills or duties throughout your resume. Also, don't list dull skills like "Good Communicator". Demonstrate how you communicated on the job. Example, "Proven record of collaborating with teams and implementing successful system changes by blah, blah, blah, blah..."

Also, what are you doing to show that you want to stay in the field? Do you have certifications or degrees? If you don't have it yet, put the date your graduating/getting your degree/certification and put "Expected date: 2014"... I have a non-technical degree and no formalized IT experience, but I am currently pursuing a MS Cybersecurity and in the Cisco Networking Academy for certifications. Is this impressive? Probably not, but it shows that I'm interested in the field and this is a question I always get.

Another suggestion, Do you write blogs or write articles relevant to the job? Put it on your resume.

There are probably a lot of things you could add to your resume that you may not realize you have experience in doing. Resumes should be specifically customized for each job. I still write cover letters, although some people may say it's not necessary. You have to go the extra step to stand out.

Anyhow, this is just my take on it...best of luck to you! I understand the struggle!

I'm so scared to ask because I don't want to start anything. I think it would make me seem disgruntled or something inquiring. However you make excellent points.

The book I brough suggested exactly the kind of points you mentioned, which I understand and it makes sense, I guess I'm over thinking it. Then I see that I need to write about how much money a billion dollar company save I get a little intimidated and lost in my thoughts.

Yes I have certificates via job requirements as well a few extra's.

No I don't write blogs. I tried it once and never got back into it.

I hardly wrote cover letters before but since obtaining the new resume writing book I have been lately. Maybe it will increase my chances of a obtaining a new job.

I very much appreciate your take on it. As it gives me something to understand from a different point a view. I'm still a bit bummed about the position within the company but maybe there is a reason that I won't understand until further down the line.

Thank you all again