Please Critique my Resume

***My my last company, I worked my way from HelpDesk to Manager of the help desk. Not sure how to list that…***

Any critique is appreciated!

OBJECTIVE:
Seeking a non-entry level position to utilize my many years of IT experience. To grow and develop professionally within the organization as well as assist in the organization meeting it’s IT department’s objectives.

EDUCATION:
Joe Shmoe University (04/2012 - 06/2013)
Computer Systems and Networks Certificate. Sometown, WV

CERTIFICATIONS:
CompTIA: A+, Network+, Security+, Server+
EXIN: Information Technology Infrastructure Library v3 Foundations
Microsoft: MCSA: Windows 7, MCTS: Windows 7, Configuring, MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator Windows 7

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Military Reserve (08/2008 - Present)
Law Enforcement Specialist Someplace, NA
- Managed team of 6 – 8 members during drill weekends and when applicable.
- Maintained and managed qualifications ensuring 100% reliability for missions.
- Mentored junior members for leadership positions and additional responsibilities.
- Volunteered for additional assignments to further professional development.

SomeCompany Inc., (01/2012 – 06/2013)
Technical Service Manager Someplace, NA
- Managed helpdesk team, ensuring techs are being utilized to optimal capacity.
- Improved customer service, perception and satisfaction.
- Developed and mentored new incoming technicians.
- Liaison between helpdesk and management ensuring operational congruity.

SomeCompany Inc., (12/2009 – 01/2011)
Production Specialist Someplace, NA
- Assembled servers to fit customer specific needs and ensured 100% quality assurance.
- Supported other team specialists in meeting deadlines during high peak orders.
- Ensured server quality control prior to departure to customers.
- Demonstrated ability to work in team during high order volumes.

Someplace Inc,. (03/2007 – 06/2009)
PC Technician, Someplace NA
- Diagnosed customer computers and offered solutions.
- Installed hardware and software for MAC and PC’s.
- Performed data recovery and data restoration on customer PC’s.
- Constantly maintained contact for customers of any updates or changes.

SKILLS:
Active Military Top Secret clearance, Active Directory, MS Exchange, Windows OS, Windows Desktop Support, Basic WAN/LAN/WLAN connectivity troubleshooting, Customer service, Team player, Ability to problem solve.

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Comments

LittleBIT

82 views and not a single tip?

EngRob

You attended JSU also?

Seriously though.....

For your Help Desk Manager position I would expect to see some high level metrics such as "increased 1st call resolution by 90%; reduced time to answer by 300%", etc. Also I'm on the objective-section-isn't-required side of the fence. I know everyone has an opinion on this but I usually find I skip over that when reviewing resumes.

If you had to put something there make is a summary section of your experience and definitely modify the "seeking a non-entry level position" sentence to something more specific (Senior network engineer, etc).

I'm no resume master but I didn't want to be the 83rd view without comment

. Any further detail for each of the roles wouldn't hurt, also add specific version #'s in skills (Exchange 2010, Windows 7, etc).

srabiee

Change Objective to Summary. From what I understand, the usage of Objective is now frowned upon. You will need to rewrite that section to coincidence with an actually summary of yourself and what you are capable of bringing to the table.

BGraves

@ LittleBit - If any critique is welcome....

First, keep in mind a resume is designed to be interesting/eye catching to the person reading it. They are supposed to read it and want to know more about you.

My opinion would be....try formatting your resume as follows.

Name/Address
Target position
Eye catching blurb about soft skills/technical/managerial skills
Professional experience
Education/training/certs/whatever else

Reason - A potential employer doesn't spend a lot of time looking at resumes, so the things you put closer to the top of the resume are the things they will likely see. If it's interesting, they will continue reading. So put the eye catching stuff at top so they will continue reading the rest of your resume.

What type of position are you using this resume to apply for?
I recommend losing the "Objective" statement, you aren't an entry level person.
Instead, I would opt for something like "Position I'm targeting" then a 2-3 sentence blurb talking up your soft skills and your technical/managerial expertise.

"IT Service Manager"
Solid managerial background through combined military and civilian service, excels in analyzing...blah blah blah.

Then follow that with your Professional Experience.

Do you have a list of "accomplishments" or "projects" from these positions?
Numbers, dollars, percents, etc.
Hardware/software lists you touched/knew?
Even if it doesn't go on the resume, it's good to have the stuff written down.

(Engrob is spot on above, you really need this kind of stuff to demonstrate to employers what you are capable of, how you perform, etc.)

Law Enforcement Specialist Someplace, NA
- Managed team of 6 – 8 members during drill weekends and when applicable.
You don't need a range. Just use a specific number. How many drill weekends/hours? What does managed mean? Any special awards?
- Maintained and managed qualifications ensuring 100% reliability for missions.
This doesn't mean anything to anyone, translate to civilian lingo. Ensured/motivated X number of individuals completed required qualifications/training for mission success. How did this benefit your employer?
- Mentored junior members for leadership positions and additional responsibilities.
How many, what did they accomplish as a result of your training? Advancement? College? Job performance? How did this benefit your employer?
- Volunteered for additional assignments to further professional development.
Like what? How long? what impact did you have?

Managed helpdesk team, ensuring techs are being utilized to optimal capacity.
- Improved customer service, perception and satisfaction.
How did you do this, how much improvement, how did this benefit your employer?
- Developed and mentored new incoming technicians.
How many? What did you mentor them on? What result?
- Liaison between helpdesk and management ensuring operational congruity.
Congruity? -zzz-
What projects did those you managed accomplished? You take credit.
How did you save/make the business $?
How many man hours did you save?
Etc?

There's more. I'm not going to type it all out. Suggestion, put up a editable word doc of your resume and ask for feedback. Redacted forum post isn't going to be super useful.

shawn2330

Most companies know what the objective is when they are looking at a resume. Ive been reading many resume building sites that are advising to remove this. Its a given, just like "refferences upon request" they know why you are here. Give them a pollished Brass tacks resume. Facts, easy and simple.

LittleBIT

I appreciate everyones response! I am going to fine tune this out of date Resume, I appreciate everyones input. I will upload once finished for further critiquing! This is why I love TE!

LittleBIT

Here is my resume again, I hope it looks better than the last one I submitted. I think I got everyones recommendations included. Please let me know what you think, no need to be kind here. I'm trying to make an award winning resume so any critique is appreciated.

I am trying to make this resume aimed at Sys. Admin's or maybe some lower level manager (HelpDesk manager?) type area. I don't want to be a grunt at the Helpdesk anymore.

resumeCritiqueTE.pdf

BGraves

It's all a matter of opinion...but you really don't have to write "SUMMARY:", "WORK EXPERIENCE", on the resume.
Not necessary to write "The position I am targeting that is currently open at etc" Just write out the position for the job you are applying for. (yes, customize your resume for the job you are applying for)

Would encourage your summary to have less content and more buzz words. Talk up technical and soft skills you possess, get the potential employer interested in reading the rest of your resume.

Some examples of buzz words you could look at using.

Expert Troubleshooter
Proven Leadership/Managerial skills
Attention to detail
Quick Learner
Effective Communicator
Work effectively solo or with a team
Excels in Fast paced environment
Work well under pressure
time management skills
Problem Solving skills
Strong work ethic
Can do attitude
ETC.
Obviously, use these if they describe you, if not, create ones that do.

Your actual resume email address is a professional one, including your first/last name. If it's not, I fully recommend securing one to be used exclusively for resume/job hunting. If you post a resume online, job boards and recruiters are going to spam the crap out of you.

Have you thought about looking at Clearancejobs or other related sites? Your TS clearance will open doors for you that others may not have. A lot of defense contractors are looking for individuals with a clearance already. Just a thought.

LittleBIT

Thank you very much, I'll keep this thread bookmarked for future reading, which I'm sure I will refer back to.

Does everything else look ok? I tried to use bullets that I thought highlighted my time at the several jobs. I will take away the Summary / Work Experience, I was going off a format I had learned from a few years ago. But I will take your advice!

I appreciate the help.

I am reviving my resume because I feel that in the next few months, I may be looking on the market, I have a profile on Clearance Jobs, and I am looking to Contract. I am actually oversea's at the moment, and talking to several IT Contractors throughout the AOR, and how much they make, has kind of sparked my interest. Only thing is, if a help desk gig pays well over 6-Fig's, doing remedial tasks, I will really have to think about it. I just started diving into Linux, Unix, and Cisco along with pursuing my MCSE and want to build a B/A lab once I get back, so learning more or staying content is what I will have to balance.