CV Advise please :)

Discussion in 'Employment & Jobs' started by sh4d0w0lf, Feb 13, 2010.

  1. sh4d0w0lf

    sh4d0w0lf New Member

    3
    0
    13
    Hi guys,

    I've been trying for absolutly ages to get into the IT sector and yet i seem to have no luck, I have had only one interview since i had my CV redone a few months ago and shamefully i didn't get the job...
    I have applied for in excess of 30 jobs since the beggining of the month and i haven't had an interview let alone heard from any of them, Seems im out of luck.

    Im currently studying for Comptia A+ and N+ certifications and i want to specialise in the networking side of things. I've already got some qualifications behind me such as Computing Sciences Foundation and NCFE IT Practitioner ect.

    So could someone please give me a few pointers on how my CV should be? (am trying to start off in the 1st line support work till i can afford to take the certifications)

    Thanks,
    Adam.
     

    Attached Files:

    Certifications: NCFE ICT, AVCE ICT, GNVQ ICT,
    WIP: A+, N+
  2. OnFire

    OnFire Nibble Poster

    79
    8
    27
    Welcome!!

    Ok I have some good news and some bad news.

    First the bad news:

    Your CV is a little poor. It appears you are applying for your first IT job but all of the focus on your CV is towards your weakest area, your lack of experience. It reads from the start as if you are an experienced and seasoned IT pro within the IT field but with no employment history to back it up.

    I would tone down any IT related claims such as
    "wealth of knowledge in the IT sector" (You have never worked in the IT sector),
    "Skills acquired" (No mention of customer service, acquired implies your very "skilled"/competent with the say technology, which is unlikely, no offense)
    "Installed and maintained" (A test environment is great for learning, however it is no substitute for real world experience that includes everyday problems, backups, end users, etc. I think only then you can say you have maintained an environment)
    "using and supporting" (Where and whom did you support?)

    And the good news:

    It can be fixed!!

    Try to focus more on your customer service skills. No matter how technical you are, without this you are almost useless to a company.
    Rewrite the skills section, maybe with sub header "During my studies and development, I have:" to reflect you haven't gone any commercial experience, however you have not let that stop you from learning.
    Refer to Group Policy as just that, Group Policy rather than Group Policy Objects. (Thats just me)
    Write a good cover letter to include why you want to get into IT and how you would be a good fit to the company you are applying for. Ideally, personalise each letter.

    Hope this helps
     
    Certifications: See Signature
    WIP: None....at last!!
  3. sh4d0w0lf

    sh4d0w0lf New Member

    3
    0
    13
    Right thanks for the advice,

    In my current workplace i deal with customers on an almost daily basis (both orders and complaints)... however i've no clue as to how i should put it into words on my cv to impress a potential employer...

    I've already started making changes to my CV but what do i fill the gap (Skills) with if im to put customer service based skills there...? Customer service wise all i've got is Serving customers, dealing with customer complaints as well as helping out friends and family with computer related problems on the odd occasion.

    Also I have helped out at work fixing a few IT related problems such as solving a problem on the laser printer. and sorting the cables out on the back of a couple of POS systems ect. (Not much at all really)

    Once again, thanks for the advice and i look forwards to you're replies.

    Adam.
     
    Certifications: NCFE ICT, AVCE ICT, GNVQ ICT,
    WIP: A+, N+
  4. derkit

    derkit Gigabyte Poster

    1,480
    58
    112
    A few thoughts:

    - date of birth isn't needed
    - leisure interests - some people say don't include it at all, I think including a couple may be worthwhile showing you are something different than just a workoholic. Socialising - sounds like you get pissed a lot, music - just listening? Playing? What instrument? Going to cinema - is that a hobby, or something you do once in a while? RC racing - Tamiya means nothing to me and possibly others, including the abbreviation RC.
    - education - exact dates not needed, just when you achieved it - eg. June 06. Include pass grades and also GCSEs. Employers may like to know you can write and add up!
    - Employment - very thin. All I know is that you spent time at McD's, nothing about each role and what you got from it. I'd expect this to take up more room and more info. Focus on your customer service skills, training abilities.
    - Skills acquired - experience with Exchange 2k3, Server 2k/2k3? I assume on a home network? Worth a note definitely, but these stand out as main skills to me.
    - Profile - as OnFire said "in IT sector" and "in particular networks", I wouldn't hold much credence to that given the rest of the CV. Focus on your customer service skills again, Team/individual work, ability to work under pressure, analytical mind etc.

    Not too good to be honest, but I think you have stuff to work with, just need to hone it better.

    note - no idea why I started from the bottom up?!
     
    Certifications: MBCS, BSc(Hons), Cert(Maths), A+, Net+, MCDST, ITIL-F v3, MCSA
    WIP: 70-293
  5. derkit

    derkit Gigabyte Poster

    1,480
    58
    112
    All customer service is basically what you've already done. Interacting with the customers, resolving their issues, calming them down, discussing new ideas with them - this can be done over e-mail, telephone or face-to-face. Actually, already having done face-to-face it shows you are not afraid to have people "get in your face".

    Whilst not much IT per se, it shows you are not afraid to get your hands dirty, know one end of a USB lead to another etc. All worthwhile skills especially when you are starting out.

    Good luck 8)
     
    Certifications: MBCS, BSc(Hons), Cert(Maths), A+, Net+, MCDST, ITIL-F v3, MCSA
    WIP: 70-293

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.