"Dear Jim, Please could you Fix It for me to get my first IT job..."

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It's been almost a month since I got A+ certified and so far, not a lot of joy from employers where I am. A couple of recruiters got back to me but after having a quick chat, the phrase "we'll keep you on file" tells me I should keep applying anyway.

I've been applying to jobs that include the phrase "Tier 1 Help Desk Analyst A+" as well as e-mailing people in my company that work in IT asking for career advice ("...and by the way, I would also be able to help with any after-hours work or job shadowing").

Would appreciate any feedback you might have about my CV/resume below.

Thanks in advance!

Master Delgado
76 Totters Lane
London
UK​

IT SKILLS​

• Hands-on PC troubleshooting experience
• Microsoft Outlook and web e-mail set-up
• Wireless networking, printer and BlackBerry/Android configuration
• Hard drive imaging and copying
• Anti-virus/Firewall configuration, VPN configuration
• Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows (7/8/10), Ubuntu
• Software: Microsoft Office, Lotus Notes, Avaya Desktop, Avid iNews, Titan Ticketing
• Financial Software: Bloomberg
• Computer Languages: Bocce, Binary Language of Moisture Vaporators
​

PERSONAL IT PROJECTS​

• Building, upgrading and maintaining a Gaming PC
• Setting up a wired network laser printer
• Configuring a home media streaming services (Plex, Boxee)
​

CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS​

• Over 3 years of delivering outstanding customer service in person and over the phone
• Successfully resolving customer complaints and escalating where necessary
​

OTHER SKILLS​

• Writing and editing skills
• Internet research skills
• Financial markets knowledge (equities, investments)
• Ability to work in high pressure environments
• Proven business networking skills
• Video and photo editing skills
• Full driving licence
​

EDUCATION​

• CompTIA Network+ (Pending exam)
• CompTIA A+ Certification (Valid until 2019)
• Astronomy Diploma - University of London, UK
​

WORK HISTORY​

• Accounts Support Representative - A.N. Insurance Company, 2015 - Present
Responding to phone and e-mail customer account inquiries, escalating issues where necessary.

• Online Beta Tester - Frontier Developments, 2014 - 2015
Installing and play-testing video game software and providing online feedback.

• Ticket Agent - Local Film Festival, 2014
Processing in-person and phone-based movie ticket orders and credit/debit card transactions.

• Customer Experience Representative - A Book Shop, 2013 - 2014 & 2008 - 2010
Helping customers finding books and processing cash and credit/debit card transactions.

• Senior Equities Journalist - A Financial Marketing Firm, 2011 - 2011
Interviewing company executives, writing business news stories and equity market summaries.

• TV News Producer/Researcher - A Cable TV News Channel, 2010 - 2011
Sourcing guests, preparing research packages and designing TV interview segments.

• Investment Industry Reporter - Major Financial News Website, 2005 - 2008
Writing interviews and hedge fund industry stories and networking with industry participants.

• Reporter - A Financial News Service, 1999 - 2005
Writing news headlines and stories for an international business news service.

• Information Editor - A Financial Information Provider, 1996 - 1999
Summarizing European business news stories and maintaining a database of corporate earnings.​

 

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This is unfortunately the most difficult part, getting your foot on that first step of the ladder.

I've personally not been in this situation myself - but some of the guys on this board have, and after persistence it paid off - they may be in a better position to help with advice on this.

Have you considered some voluntary IT work perhaps one day on a weekend? This is viewed upon favorably for new starters in IT with limited experience.

On the CV, try:

changing "Hands-on PC troubleshooting experience" to the specifics of the troubleshooting, example - was it operating system troubleshooting, hardware troubleshooting, replacing hardware, configuration of software etc.

"Hard drive imaging and copying" - sounds a bit vague, copying what exactly, and how did you image the hard drive - was it through MDT, Ghost etc.? If so - list the products you used to image that hard drive.

Other than that, good luck on the hunt, and don't give up, you will get there

 

Ive said it before and I'll say it again.. Having the word "Microsoft" on your CV can do wonders. Get an MTA.. Watch the calls come flooding in..

 

Thanks for the feedback so far - will expand on what my actual "hands-on" experience was. I already have the Network+ book and am making my way through that. Will have a think about weekend work (or even paid weekend work if I can make it happen).

Nobody spotted the "Easter Egg" I included just for this board! "Bocce, Binary Language of Moisture Vaporators" is from Star Wars! I might include it now just for the LOLs.

 

How are you applying for jobs ? Are you applying via sites like Jobserve ? If so you need to look at the job post, get the contact person at the agency and ring them up. Have a chat with them and get to know them. You will have a far better chance of being put forward for a position that way. Something will turn up sooner or later, you shouldn't struggle to get IT jobs in London. Also be aware the market is a bit flat at the moment but should pick up again towards middle of year (new budgets, Brexit concerns etc). You are targeting the correct jobs by going for 1st line support. I would definitely limit the scope to this and you can progress from there. It is much harder to get on the ladder these days. When I passed my Windows 95 exam in 1996 I was placed in a very well paid IT job within a couple of weeks on a contract and stayed at that company for 18 years. Much harder now but you can get on the ladder. Good luck.

 

I was soooooo tempted to respond with a comment about Mr Saville but then wasn't sure if it would be inappropriate or not.

To be honest, I just blitzed people with emails. I had no experience when I started out a few years ago. I had just been made redundant and I needed a change of career. As I said, I just went through CW jobs, Reed, Monster etc. and just applied for every 1st Line Role I could find. If I got a response from a recruiter, I would be on their case every day chasing up what was happening with the application.

I have about 5 Interviews, 3 of which I was asked to go back to a 2nd time, only to be told "You don't have the experience". Luckily, someone did take a chance on me and it has just carried on from there.

Keep plugging away mate, it will happen.

 

He's not from Earth and has the cheek to nick my address! Yes as Juelz said having a Microsoft cert (any one) will help you hit the search keywords that recruiters use.

Also might be worth thinking about volunteering your IT skills to a local charity or weekend temp work, it would be submissable on a CV and will help greatly in getting a first foot in.
There are a couple of people on this forum who have taken well over a year of applying and hundreds of rejections to get on the ladder, it doesn't mean they are not any good in fact it improves your persistence but a cv has to hit the recruiters targets and then past the HR people and finally onto someone who might know what they are talking about.

Don't worry its like an exclusive club once your in the IT crowd its far easier to move around.

 

I'm a fan of classic Dr Who just like Dales - but in reality I am based in Toronto, Canada not London, UK. Although if I had a job lined up I'd be on the next flight home in a double heartbeat...

 

I think the A+ is a really good cert,but yeah MS is so widely recognised recruiters see the term and think "this guy must be good" they see A+ and most likely head to Google.

 

I was looking at the Microsoft Windows 7 Desktop Specialist certs today - they're a bit cheaper for me too (195 Canadian dollars vs 370 Canadian dollars for Network+) and Professor Messer covers it too.

 

I hope you don’t think I’m being rude, but I think your CV is upside down.

As someone who reads CV’s (only on a small scale) I prefer a CV to start with a statement, then experience and then finally qualifications.

To get your foot in the door it is most likely going to be 1st line support which is as much about dealing with people as it is computers and you’ve got some great experience with that

Reporter/researcher/journalist … brilliant!

On top of that you have A+ and working towards your other certs also to back you up.

I think someone with an A+ and some real work experience demonstrates that they can get and keep a job, deal with people plus stick to and pass a qualification … great chance at fist line support.

I’m real no expert but I think your CV would be better like this:

1. Short statement about what you can do and have done, mention you are very capable with IT and are certified.

2. Talk about your skills

3. List your certs

4. List what you are working on

Only my opinion though and well done on passing you’re a+ plus mate.

All the best,

Scott

 

Thanks for your feedback - this might prevent being asked: "You have X years of journalism why are you applying?"

 

Why not apply to technical author roles ?

 

I literally did not think of this! Thanks, this widens my search!