Resume Help Blog

Archive for the ‘Going Back To School’ Category

All too often data in resumes is presented quite vaguely, leaving the hiring manager to wonder what the candidate really knows and what skills s/he actually has. This is especially true regarding computer skills, whether the applicant is an office worker or an IT professional.

For example, an office worker may feel it’s enough to list skills in this manner: Technically proficient in Microsoft Office and other software.

After reading the above, the hiring manager may very well wonder what other software? What part of Microsoft Office—all or only Word and Excel? And, what version?

When your data raises more questions than it answers, it’s no longer effective. To maximize your information, be specific. For example, the previous statement should say this:

Technically proficient in Microsoft Office (Premium 2000), including Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Access, PowerPoint, Front Page, and Photo Draw. Additional expertise in Word Perfect, Quicken, Peachtree Accounting, Lexis-Nexus, and Westlaw.

At a glance, the above provides instant and specific data to a hiring manager. However, a candidate—especially in the IT field—should go one step further by providing years or months of experience.

In today’s competitive job market, hiring managers demand that information on resumes be well-prioritized and specific. It’s not enough to state that you have proficiency in Microsoft Word. You must state how many months or years of experience you have or your level of expertise, whether it’s beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Hiring managers will not call you for an interview, nor will they test your skills unless they are first provided this essential data.

The nature of IT is ever-evolving. Therefore, an IT professional should showcase relevant skills as specifically and completely as possible.

Organize technical data into subheadings such as:

1. Software
2. Hardware
3. Operating Systems
4. Programming Languages
5. Software Packages
6. Databases
7. Any other technical proficiencies

One way to present this data would be a simple listing. For example:

Computer Skills

• LAN Administration: Windows 2000 Server, Windows NT 3.51/4.0, Novell 3.12/4.1
• Operating Systems: Windows 2000/NT/XP, Windows 98/95, Macintosh OS
• Software: Microsoft SQL, SNA, SMS , Site Server & IIS, CA XCOM, SAS, Microsoft Visual Studio, Source Safe, Cognos Enterprise Server, Lotus Notes, Microsoft Exchange, AS/400-Windows Connectivity Applications, cc:Mail , Multiple Windows Communications Applications
• Productivity Software: Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Project
• Hardware: PCs, Compaq Servers, HP NetServers, IBM NetFinity Servers, AS400 20, SCO Unix OpenServer, Macintosh
• Certifications: Candidate for MCDBA, Candidate for CCNA/CCDA, Candidate for MCSE, Microsoft Certified System Administrator, Novell Certified Administrator, Novell Certified Engineer

An even more effective way to maximize technical data is to provide specific information in an easy-to-read format. For example:

Technical Skills

Databases:
Oracle 8/8i/9i, 4 years
SQL Server 6.5/7.0/2000, 6 years
Microsoft Access, 6 years
MySQL, 6 months

Operating Systems:
UNIX , 4 years
LINUX, 4 years
Windows Operating Systems, 12 years
DOS, 12 years
Macintosh, 4 years

Programming Languages:
ShellScript, 3 years
PL/SQL, 4 years
ASP, 5 years
JAVA/JSP, 1 year
JavaScript, 5 years
DHTML, 3 years

Oracle Utilities:
SQL Navigator, 4 years
TOAD, 2 years
Oracle *Net, 4 years
Import/Export, 3 years
SQL *Loader, 3 years
Enterprise Manager, 3 years
Performance Manager, 2 years

The above example is specific yet easy to read and understand quickly and enhances an applicant’s candidacy for an IT position.

You have been out of work for quite awhile and it doesn’t seem that you will ever get another job again. I know it’s frustrating because I like you read the newspapers and listen to the news and know that you are just one of many. So what are you to do?

First let me say that the purpose of this article IS NOT to sell you something just because I might think you are desperate enough to buy it. This is an article to give you some ideas.

I was listening to the Rush Limbaugh program Friday and he had a call from a landscaper in Florida who said that his income had been cut by over 50% due to the new home foreclosures. The gist of the call was Rush’s suggestion that the caller approach the banks who now own the homes and make them a deal on maintaining the lawns rather than have them sit unattended until they sell. Since the banks don’t want to own them and really want to resell them it makes sense that they would want to keep the appearance looking beautiful.

That got me to thinking. Look around you and find a need then see if you can think of some way to fill that need. Back in 1976 I worked in aerospace and had a job that I hated. At that time I came across a company that offered training for repairing vinyl in restaurants. The cost was modest so after looking into it, I went for some training and bought the equipment to do this. The training consisted not only repairing the torn or cut vinyl but color matching so it would look presentable and the tear wouldn’t get larger. In a couple of weeks I was ready to begin. Well I thought I was but it turns out that I needed more experience, so I went to work at home practicing what I had learned. All told it took me about a month and the cost for training and equipment was modest. Incidentally, I made a good living from this.

There are many things like this that you can learn or maybe you already have what you need to begin. Start by brainstorming with your wife/husband/friends/relatives etc., and see what ideas you come up with.

Doing that is 1000 times more productive than waiting for “something to happen”. Think about it and see if you can come up with about ten ideas then delve into the possibilities. If you have trouble coming up with ten ideas do some research but don’t quit. Even if it took you some time, what else are you doing?

You are not beaten unless you absolutely give up.  Never do that!

Have you lost your job as a result of a bad economy? Before you panic, there are many ways to remedy the situation. You can now do things that you never would have been able to while you were employed. Use this time effectively while you plan your future. Sit down and make a list of things that you have always wanted to do but couldn’t because of your job as you plan your future. There are many ways to make a living besides working 9 to 5. Here are a few ideas to improve your situation:

• · Get a degree:

Why not? I will bet it is something you have thought of before unless you already have one; in that case maybe it’s time to add to your degree. Or maybe take a class and learn a new skill like computer programming or computer repair. And remember it is a “life time” degree.

If you can’t spend two years of time on a masters degree, you could do a short term diploma degree in your field of experience. If not a diploma, how about a certification? Certification adds lots of value to your profile. Besides this will open your eyes to other possibilities of a certification in another field. The opportunities are endless.

• Do Tutoring:

This is something anybody can do. You can do this as a part time and earn quick buck for survival. Teach high school students, college students right in your house, of course for money.

Choose a part of curriculum that is tough for students but that you know something about and start tutoring. Trust me anybody can do this. This is the easiest job, nevertheless it requires some ground work before starting. Research what tutors are charging in your area. A few years back I owned an upholstery business. They taught upholstery in a local high school adult education department. I applied as an instructor and was hired on the spot.

• Learn new Technology:

What are you interested in that you may be able to turn into a profit if you learned it? Maybe hire a career coach at this point. Here are some additional ideas: photography, acquire IT skills, graphic design, computer repair, the list goes on and on. Brainstorm with your wife, husband or best friend and stretch your imagination. Did you boast of working in numerous technologies on your resume? Are those skills out of date? Add these to your list of things to brush up on.

• Start a Business:

Recession? Bad Economy? These are the terms for the “panic-creating” media and not for winners like you. The best time to start your own business is now! But research it thoroughly first. One of the best areas is the service area. There are always jobs for handyman services.

• Do Freelance Work:

Many people think freelance work is not their cup of tea but it isn’t that difficult. My only advice is you had better know how to do the work you claim to know. Otherwise not only won’t you get paid but your reputation will suffer. This is a compact area so word gets around quickly for bad service. We have used freelance writers for special projects, some with good results and some not so good. If you want references for future work you had better be good.

So the next move is yours! Take it – Choose any of the links above and start climbing out of the tank! Do it now!!