i have an associates degree in IT and 3yrs experience as a sys admin, as well as network+ certification. I have applied to at least 100 job postings on various sites (ie careerbuilder, monster, etc) and have only received 1 call back, from a crappy recruiter. What the heck am I doing wrong? Do I not have enough experience? Does having only an associates degree really hinder me this much?
working world sucks
- Thread starter huberm
- Start date
James Bond
Diamond Member
- Jan 21, 2005
- 6,023
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3 years of experience is likely holding you back, but it's probably also the quality of that experience. Many recruiters aren't technical at all, so if you don't have the right skillset on your resume they'll skip over you regardless of your qualifications. They don't care whether or not you could do something; rather, they want to see that you've done it.
So, having said that, I would recommend a few things:
1) Update your resume to reflect the positions you are seeking. I'm willing to bet that it isn't, and it's leaving recruiters confused as to what you want to do. Many people in IT have the problem of leaving their resumes so general that it looks like you're a jack of all trades, master of none. IT is often deployed as a precision solution to issues, so they're looking for someone focused.
2) Forget these entry-level, paper-pushing recruiters. Dig deeper. Look to local IT organizations, user groups, etc. and find forums where people post jobs. Talk to people you know, get references, etc. Your network is what will allow you to thrive in IT, not recruiting firms with more turnover than a ferris wheel.
3) Seek out companies and projects that will help diversify your experience. Again, the quality of the experience matters as much as the length (there are exceptions of course for very limited experience, but you already have 3 years). High-profile companies can practically get you in the door anywhere you want without so much as an interview. This respect is often ill-applied, but that's the way it is.
Note that much of the above is based on assumptions on my part, but I've seen it hundreds of times and I'd be willing to bet the value of this post in dollars that it's mostly applicable.
Good luck.
[edit]I didn't want to sound completely negative about recruiters. They perform a valuable service. The point I was trying to make is that you need to find the right ones.[/edit]
So, having said that, I would recommend a few things:
1) Update your resume to reflect the positions you are seeking. I'm willing to bet that it isn't, and it's leaving recruiters confused as to what you want to do. Many people in IT have the problem of leaving their resumes so general that it looks like you're a jack of all trades, master of none. IT is often deployed as a precision solution to issues, so they're looking for someone focused.
2) Forget these entry-level, paper-pushing recruiters. Dig deeper. Look to local IT organizations, user groups, etc. and find forums where people post jobs. Talk to people you know, get references, etc. Your network is what will allow you to thrive in IT, not recruiting firms with more turnover than a ferris wheel.
3) Seek out companies and projects that will help diversify your experience. Again, the quality of the experience matters as much as the length (there are exceptions of course for very limited experience, but you already have 3 years). High-profile companies can practically get you in the door anywhere you want without so much as an interview. This respect is often ill-applied, but that's the way it is.
Note that much of the above is based on assumptions on my part, but I've seen it hundreds of times and I'd be willing to bet the value of this post in dollars that it's mostly applicable.
Good luck.
[edit]I didn't want to sound completely negative about recruiters. They perform a valuable service. The point I was trying to make is that you need to find the right ones.[/edit]
I'm in a completely different field, but I'm also job searching and this is the insight I have gained.
Employers seem most comfortable hiring someone who another employee knows and can vouch for professionally. Often employers are putting a lot on the line when they hire someone and they think this is a way to play it safe. I personally find it hard to believe that this tactic can be that much better than a stranger off the street with a good resume and a strong interview, but I'm also the guy who's not getting any calls back from the places I submitted a resume to where I didn't have a prior connection.
I imagine companies will only respond to internet ads if they find someone with the perfect qualifications since they probably get so many people to choose from and it's easy (and nonconfrontational) to toss the rest aside.
When I went to my school's career center, they recommended using your connections through school or related work to find word-of-mouth type positions and spend less time doing internet job searches.
Employers seem most comfortable hiring someone who another employee knows and can vouch for professionally. Often employers are putting a lot on the line when they hire someone and they think this is a way to play it safe. I personally find it hard to believe that this tactic can be that much better than a stranger off the street with a good resume and a strong interview, but I'm also the guy who's not getting any calls back from the places I submitted a resume to where I didn't have a prior connection.
I imagine companies will only respond to internet ads if they find someone with the perfect qualifications since they probably get so many people to choose from and it's easy (and nonconfrontational) to toss the rest aside.
When I went to my school's career center, they recommended using your connections through school or related work to find word-of-mouth type positions and spend less time doing internet job searches.
Marinski
Golden Member
I know how you feel. I've been looking for a job to add to my current job for some time. Put my resume out there to a million places and not even a peep. Its frustrating when you put in the time to make a nice resume/cover letter, send it out, then when you call them they act annoyed that you contacted them.
Resume Link
(edit)
or if you don't want to download the file, here it is, though the layout didn't turn out too well here:
System Administrator / Application Support Administrator / Technical Support Specialist
Technologically sophisticated IT Support Specialist with hands-on experience in project lifecycle management for technical and intranet applications, workgroup support, and web site development & maintenance. Proven desktop and network troubleshooting skills.
Expertise in:
? System Administration ? Help Desk / Hardware Support ? System Upgrades
? LAN/WAN Architecture ? LAN Troubleshooting ? Application Development
? Client Support
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2003-Present
System Administrator
Provide system administration across a Windows LAN comprised of 200+ end-users in 4 locations, as well as client support for all technology related issues. First-point-of-contact (Tier 1 Help Desk Technician) for support incidents, as well as end-user training.
?System Administration. Installation, configuration, and troubleshooting software (Windows) on Dell workstations and Panasonic laptops. Install and update software, and setup, configure, and troubleshoot new and existing hardware.
?Intranet Development. Key player in creation, launch and maintenance of apprentice tracking system, providing management with easily retrievable, up-to-date information for personnel actions. Awarded ?Best Team Practice? award by leadership and system now being implemented nationwide.
?Project Management. Led Hoosier Hero job bank project for 1.5 years, delivering state?s first job bank geared towards veterans. Praised by CEO as ?highly knowledgeable and professional in the field of IT?.
Air National Guard 2000-Present
Engineering Manager (1 weekend/month)
Manager of aircraft arresting system response team. Lead, develop, and motivate airmen. Oversee inventory management of $13.7 million in contingency equipment.
?Supply Inventory Database. Designed and implemented inventory management system in Access to track, store, and retrieve information on over $3 million in assets. Application saves Air Force 1,456 man hours per year and is currently being used by all Air Force installations in Middle East.
?Leadership Qualities. Managed and motivated 12 member emergency team that surpassed Air Force time record for quickest arresting system install, potentially saving 2 lives and $23 million in aircraft damage.
?Instructor. Instructed 2 two-week workshops on effective contingency engineering operations, consisting of 34 students. Effectively revised and adapted training plan to accommodate a 3-day shortened time requirement. Praised by regional training manager as a ?highly effective instructor and leader with impressive interpersonal skills?.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems, Ivy Tech State College, IN 2006.
?Dean?s list 2005 and 2006
?Applicable coursework: network fundamentals, web administration, system analysis & design, system administration, network administration, C/C++ Programming, web development.
Network+ Certification, 2007.
Well, first of all, your are in Indiana, I imagine there aren't that many IT jobs there.
Also, use more technology keywords in your resume, less bullshit dressing sentences like " Awarded ?Best Team Practice? award" or "Praised by CEO as ?highly knowledgeable and professional in the field of IT?". Those just sounds like a bunch of fluff even though it is probably real. Remember, when the manager is scanning hundreds of resumes, they don't have the time to read all the BS fluff, they are scanning for keywords.
IT is a practical field, not a beauty contest. You need to write less BS, and put the exact what technologies you have experiences with on the resume.
Also, use more technology keywords in your resume, less bullshit dressing sentences like " Awarded ?Best Team Practice? award" or "Praised by CEO as ?highly knowledgeable and professional in the field of IT?". Those just sounds like a bunch of fluff even though it is probably real. Remember, when the manager is scanning hundreds of resumes, they don't have the time to read all the BS fluff, they are scanning for keywords.
IT is a practical field, not a beauty contest. You need to write less BS, and put the exact what technologies you have experiences with on the resume.
IHateMyJob2004
Lifer
- Sep 29, 2004
- 18,656
- 67
- 91
yllus
Elite Member & Lifer
- Aug 20, 2000
- 20,577
- 432
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I think you need to talk specifics, not generalities like you have written so far.
When we looked for a new sysadmin here, we looked for someone with experience with Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Active Directory, Exchange 2003, Windows SharePoint Services, and Blackberry Enterprise Server. Not only does listing specific technologies and software catch the eye of a human recruiter, it also helps you with larger companies that simply do keyword searches.
To illustrate, you could easily break the sentence "Provide system administration across a Windows LAN comprised of 200+ end-users in 4 locations, as well as client support for all technology related issues." out into something much more useful. What version of Windows? Put it in there. Active Directory? Did those ~200 people use Outlook? And so on and so on.
When we looked for a new sysadmin here, we looked for someone with experience with Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Active Directory, Exchange 2003, Windows SharePoint Services, and Blackberry Enterprise Server. Not only does listing specific technologies and software catch the eye of a human recruiter, it also helps you with larger companies that simply do keyword searches.
To illustrate, you could easily break the sentence "Provide system administration across a Windows LAN comprised of 200+ end-users in 4 locations, as well as client support for all technology related issues." out into something much more useful. What version of Windows? Put it in there. Active Directory? Did those ~200 people use Outlook? And so on and so on.
Have you tried the positions posted in the job networking thread stickied at the top?
I did a quick scan of the last page and did not see your name.
go with craigslist...monster and careerbuilder are next to useless unless you live in a huge city.
You can get an associates degree in CIS?
I guess I'll comment on the topic. You need to find something that puts you a head about the rest of the thousands of applicants in your area that have the same level of experience and education. We all have Network+ and A+ certs. We all have a few years experience, we all went to school with a focus on computer work. Whats hot now? I know MCSE's with focus on Security is growing in popularity. I also know MCDST is good to have if you are looking to do support for a company.
I'm proud to work in IT and it is embarrassing to see that we need recruiters and consulting firms to fill jobs instead of having unique traits that will help you gain a career worthy job on your own.
DainBramaged
Lifer
- Jun 19, 2003
- 23,448
- 40
- 91
For some reason, I saw this thread and immediately thought of that part of SLC Punk where the kid goes into the womens clothing store and "applies" for a job. LMAO.
It's all about connections. You might not think its fair, but the sooner you accept it, the sooner you can start using it to your advantage.
That was what I meant, my mistake. But I do think that we tend to sway towards just throwing our resumes online and waiting for a reply. I found my job by actively searching the net for business that were hiring. You can't just thow your fish in the line and wait for a bite, you have to jump in and tackle the fish with your bare hands and beat the shit out of it with those little metal bats they have for beating fish! Bad example but you get my point.
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