My turn to post my resume...

Please see post #13 for update/offer.

As cool as it sounds, my mom told me about a job opening in the school district she works.Let me know what you'd change. I'll be sending it in tomorrow.

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veritas_libertas

I know it makes it seem shorter, but I cut out the jobs that are unrelated to IT. Also, the document looked funny when I opened it, could you upload a PDF version?

Tackle

Yea I'm struggling with the format right now, it messed it up going from .docx to .doc. I'll see if I can do a PDF. I need to think of a few more lines if I remove the others.

veritas_libertas

LucasMN wrote: »

Yea I'm struggling with the format right now, it messed it up going from .docx to .doc. I'll see if I can do a PDF. I need to think of a few more lines if I remove the others.

Not necessarily, because you also want to be careful to not seem desperate.

Tackle

What do you think of moving the 1 ceritification to its own spot?

As in:
Certifications
My cert - 2010

Edit: There we go. PDF to fix the formatting and removed previous employers. Though it looks like my work history is very short now. How about including my previous job in just one line?

NetworkingStudent

LucasMN wrote: »

What do you think of moving the 1 ceritification to its own spot?

As in:
Certifications
My cert - 2010

Edit: There we go. PDF to fix the formatting and removed previous employers. Though it looks like my work history is very short now. How about including my previous job in just one line?

I say make the wharehouse worker 3 lines with bullet points. Use o net to search for words and phrases that help describe what you did in that position. Good Luck.

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Everyone

Well same thing I seem to tell most people on here... I see all responsibilities, and no accomplishments. You know what to do.

networker050184

Everyone wrote: »

Well same thing I seem to tell most people on here... I see all responsibilities, and no accomplishments. You know what to do.

Great advice for any resume! Tell them what you've done to standout, not just copy/paste some job responsibilities.

LinuxRacr

Listen to Everyone. I followed his advice, and I'm getting calls and e-mails everyday about positions (another e-mail popped in as I was typing this).

Another thing that you may want to try is to do a short summary of each position and list your only your key accomplishments at each job in bullets.

I like also in qualifications how you listed that you have a ESXi home server. I recently amended my resume with a similar line.

Tackle

I will do that. Thanks for the pointers!

They have one of those LONGGG applying procedures. 20 sections. I spent an hour last night filling it out and didn't even get to the part where I upload my resume yet. They also REQUIRE 3 references with 3 REQUIRED attached referals. If you don't have 3, you cannot submit it. I only have 1 referal letter, so the others I just uploaded blank documents to. Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite me.

I can see how the long procedure will weed out those that don't really want the job.

Everyone

LinuxRacr wrote: »

Listen to Everyone. I followed his advice, and I'm getting calls and e-mails everyday about positions (another e-mail popped in as I was typing this).

Awesome!

I'm sure you'll be lining up interviews soon, good luck!

LinuxRacr

As a matter of fact, I just got off of the phone. I have a "phone screening" this afternoon... It has been so long since I've interviewed...

Tackle

Thanks for the help all.

Turned it in at a school district and went on an interview the 14th. Was asked 8 questions, at least 6 relating to culture, diversity and respect. Then I asked technical questions.

The director of IT called and offered me the job tonight. He didn't have any specifics on pay/vacation/benefits. I'm going to call HR tomorrow and get the details. He asked me to call him tomorrow as well.

I am really torn on what to do. The position is for a district "Support Technician". Basically break/fix for 9 different schools, lots of potential for growth. Where I am at now, it's not overly difficult but challenging, first IT job, been there not even 2 years, but am very comfortable. Just me and my boss, no growth options but I do all internal support for a smaller business. Seems like I am doing "higher level" stuff here than the offered position. The position will pay 4k-12k better (Which is good considering I make under 30k now). About the same Vacation, 401k and health/dental benefits.

Is it acceptable for when I call him back tomorrow to ask to wait until Monday before giving my decision? So I can "crunch the numbers"?

erpadmin

Tackle wrote: »

Thanks for the help all.

Turned it in at a school district and went on an interview the 14th. Was asked 8 questions, at least 6 relating to culture, diversity and respect. Then I asked technical questions.

The director of IT called and offered me the job tonight. He didn't have any specifics on pay/vacation/benefits. I'm going to call HR tomorrow and get the details. He asked me to call him tomorrow as well.

I am really torn on what to do. The position is for a district "Support Technician". Basically break/fix for 9 different schools, lots of potential for growth. Where I am at now, it's not overly difficult but challenging, first IT job, been there not even 2 years, but am very comfortable. Just me and my boss, no growth options but I do all internal support for a smaller business. Seems like I am doing "higher level" stuff here than the offered position. The position will pay 4k-12k better (Which is good considering I make under 30k now). About the same Vacation, 401k and health/dental benefits.

Is it acceptable for when I call him back tomorrow to ask to wait until Monday before giving my decision? So I can "crunch the numbers"?

Hmmm...this sounds like my earlier story, but in reverse. You're moving from private to public sector for a raise. I went from public to private for a raise. Without more detail, I don't see that you'll have much of a responsibility hit, as it seems you do a lot of break-fix in your position now.

This position might get you more admin responsibility at a later time...plus, you will be in the public sector...take that job and like it. My story you read in the other thread was a bit different.

I took a huge responsibility hit. I had the keys to the kingdom in my first IT job. My second job, I had to break windows to get inside the house. (No pun intended....lmao.) I only saw the money. In this case, you have money and security.

In your case, I would take this offer for at least a year or so, and see how you like. Only thing is to fight complacency. VERY EASY to do in the public sector. It might not be that much of a hit for you in terms of responsibility.

MentholMoose

Tackle wrote: »

I am really torn on what to do. The position is for a district "Support Technician". Basically break/fix for 9 different schools, lots of potential for growth. Where I am at now, it's not overly difficult but challenging, first IT job, been there not even 2 years, but am very comfortable. Just me and my boss, no growth options but I do all internal support for a smaller business. Seems like I am doing "higher level" stuff here than the offered position. The position will pay 4k-12k better (Which is good considering I make under 30k now). About the same Vacation, 401k and health/dental benefits.

Do you want to advance beyond the support technician position? If so, be careful about estimating the "potential for growth". Will you be happy to stay in that position while waiting for the chance to actually be promoted (could be months, but maybe it will be years)? To answer this you should look at the position carefully. You might want to talk to the hiring manager about your concerns. Besides the growth potential, ask about the possibility to do "higher level" stuff while in this position. Depending on the organization size and structure, there could be plenty of opportunity to perform advanced tasks, or there could be no chance at all.

I've been in this situation before. I was working as a sysadmin at a mid-size business and moved to a position in a NOC at a large enterprise. Before taking the offer, I didn't ask enough questions about the job responsibilities and overestimated the growth potential. After starting I quickly realized that the position was not right for me. Luckily I was able to find another sysadmin job elsewhere despite a terrible economy, so I ended up staying in that NOC for only 6 months. So my main advice when considering a job with the hope of advancement (regardless of whether or not it is a downgrade in responsibility) is to exercise caution.

Tackle wrote: »

Is it acceptable for when I call him back tomorrow to ask to wait until Monday before giving my decision? So I can "crunch the numbers"?

Yes, definitely. If someone actually required an immediate answer it would be a huge red flag.

Everyone

MentholMoose wrote: »

Do you want to advance beyond the support technician position? If so, be careful about estimating the "potential for growth". Will you be happy to stay in that position while waiting for the chance to actually be promoted (could be months, but maybe it will be years)? To answer this you should look at the position carefully. You might want to talk to the hiring manager about your concerns. Besides the growth potential, ask about the possibility to do "higher level" stuff while in this position. Depending on the organization size and structure, there could be plenty of opportunity to perform advanced

Good advice here. I talked myself into a position that I knew wasn't really what I wanted with the whole "potential for growth" thing. Pay was better, but job was not challenging for me at all. It wasn't a step back, but it wasn't a step forward either. Opportunity came up to move into what I really wanted to begin with a lot faster than I thought it would, and I was told I couldn't even be considered for it because I hadn't been in my current position for 1 year yet. So I get all the responsibilities put me on temporarily until they can find someone else. Then I had to fly out and train the person they eventually hired, who was far less qualified than I.

Tackle

Thanks for the pointers. Very good insight into possibility for growth. Never took it into much consideration, just that there is a much bigger team than where I am at now.

Quite a bit to consider. I called HR as the Director instructed. Said they would have the info I needed. Spoke with 2 HR ladies. They had no information on what my salary would be, just the range that was listed in the job description. One asked if I had accepted it yet as she may have info on the pay then. Kind of a chicken before the egg thing…why would I accept a position without knowing the pay? I have not received and doesn’t sound like I will receive a formal written or electronic job offer. Just a verbal offer and verbal acceptance or decline.

I will be calling him tonight, asking for more info as I do not have enough to make a decision.

Everyone

Always always always get the offer in writing. An e-mail is acceptable. IMO if they haven't told you the salary, they haven't really made an offer. I always say something along the lines of "The offer sounds good, I'd just like to see it in writing first so I can make sure I'm not missing anything."

Only 1 time ever have I verbally accepted an offer, but I knew the written offer was on its way. I said something like "This is a very generous offer, in fact better than I was hoping for, so I see no need to try and negotiate with you, I would like to accept your offer, and look forward to officially accepting after receiving it in writing."

Tackle

Exactly what I was thinking. I will ask and wait for the formal offer. I do not think they are doing anything shady, I have known the director for since I was a youngin. I went to school with his daughter and his wife taught one of my classes. I hate to say it but pay will be one of the biggest deciding factors in my decision, I can be "bought". I do not see a reason to move for only a few thousand dollar bump, which would be locked in for 3 years. My mom works in the district and has filled me in with how this works. Now if we are talking 10k, even if I stay there for a minimal amount of time that is still quite a difference considering what I make now and may be used as bargaining power for future jobs.

networkjutsu

MentholMoose wrote: »

I've been in this situation before. I was working as a sysadmin at a mid-size business and moved to a position in a NOC at a large enterprise. Before taking the offer, I didn't ask enough questions about the job responsibilities and overestimated the growth potential. After starting I quickly realized that the position was not right for me. Luckily I was able to find another sysadmin job elsewhere despite a terrible economy, so I ended up staying in that NOC for only 6 months. So my main advice when considering a job with the hope of advancement (regardless of whether or not it is a downgrade in responsibility) is to exercise caution.

Not sure what your situation was but I'll share what happened to me.

I transferred to the NOC (Tier 1 of the Network pyramid) of a large company and the first 6 months was miserable. I was planning to leave the place since it seemed like there was no future. Then I was "promoted" to Tier 2 within the NOC and started getting better responsibilities. Eventually, I moved to the Tier 2 of the Network pyramid - Network Engineering. Now, all those years of experience are now good enough for some Sr. Network Engineer positions.

I think 6 months is too short to judge what your future is going to be in that position or company.

ptilsen

Tackle wrote: »

Exactly what I was thinking. I will ask and wait for the formal offer. I do not think they are doing anything shady, I have known the director for since I was a youngin. I went to school with his daughter and his wife taught one of my classes. I hate to say it but pay will be one of the biggest deciding factors in my decision, I can be "bought". I do not see a reason to move for only a few thousand dollar bump, which would be locked in for 3 years. My mom works in the district and has filled me in with how this works. Now if we are talking 10k, even if I stay there for a minimal amount of time that is still quite a difference considering what I make now and may be used as bargaining power for future jobs.

Locked in for three years is asking a lot IMO. Without getting deeper into specifics, I'm going to tell you that I have increased my own salary by more than $10K/3 years consistently since 2006. My last job change was more than $15K difference, and it's definitely not locked in. Obviously you can quit in 18-30 months to get a better job with better money, but it sounds to me like you're in it for the long haul.

I guess it depends on what you feel your career progression could and should be. Taking a slight downwards responsibility move for significantly increase pay can be worthwhile, but it sounds to me like you might want to at least really consider if this is what you want to do.

I'm not basing this off of some dissimilar anecdotal evidence, either. I'm a fellow Minnesotan working in the same industry and work with a lot of other IT professionals. If you get the right experience, skills, and positions it is not unreasonable to seek bi-annual compensation changes of more than $10K. Again, I'm not saying you can expect anything, but you should make sure this move makes sense. If it's in the neighobrhood of a 10K increase or more, it's definitely worth considering. If it's less than a $5K difference I wouldn't even consider it. $5K now is nice but it will cost you next year or the year after to be stuck there.

Also, did you remove your resume for any particular reason? You should re-post it. Even if the resume is in good shape, I might be able to give you some very specific direction based on it.

Tackle

ptilsen, I'll post it back up tomorrow, too tired to censor it tonight. You and I seem to think a lot alike. With the school district, their raises are piddly. Example: my mom got a $0.13 an hour raise last year. That's what I meant by "locked in", it's decided by union contract or something, not per individual performance. After 4-6 years you get the more "decent" raises. I highly doubt I would want to stick around someplace that long unless I am moving up the ladder in pay and responsibilities. I do enough Desktop support as it is. If it wasn't for my other current tasks (sys admin type stuff), I'd be looking rather hard for another job. I'm getting experience in many more areas than just replacing pc parts, which will benefit me when I look for more of an Admin type role.

In the last year and a half, my pay has increased by 20% at my current job...which is nothing to complain about (granted 20% of what I make isn't that great in terms of dollars, but makes life more comfortable for myself). Talk of another is on the horizon. But, I'm still not making what the going rate in my area is, judging by my knowledge and what I see companies are asking for in their job postings. A 10k increase would be substantial, whether the duties would be a step backwards or not. As of now I've decided to decline if it is not 8k more than I'm at. It will take me another year or two at my current job to increase that much, and by then I may be ready to move on anyway. I do not like the idea of "Job hoping" every year or two. I haven't even fully mastered the system I support yet, I'm not sure I want to go somewhere else and start at the bottom again.

I called tonight and left a message for the director. Hoping he will respond with formal offer and pay.