Computer Information Resumes Job Search Writing Tips

Resume Writing Tips for Computer Information Positions

When writing a resume for a high-tech position such as Computer Information, Network Administration, PC Tech Support or Systems Administrator be sure to include a full range of your technical skills. Strengthen and support your technical skills with transferable skills such as departmental coordination, project management, staff or user training experience.

Many high tech job seekers become too focused on marketing only their technical skills. Or, if they do try to market their transferable skills they use job titles that don’t convey how past experience matches the computer positions they they want.

We’ll use an example from my booklet, 6 Easy Steps to Create Resumes and Cover Letters for Computer Information Students. Here’s an abbreviated section from Valerie’s resume:

Will these strategies
work for you?

click here to read
these successes!

... salary is DOUBLED
... 50% salary increase
... 26% increase
... $18,000 increase
... $30,000 to $50,000
... offered $45 to $60 an hour
... plus dozens more
successful career moves
and salary increases!

Networking

Management Pioneered user groups, supervisors and granted their rights.
Administered and maintained Microsoft NT and Novel Network.

PC Support

Teamwork Analyzed computer problems on campus.
Installed hard drives, floppy drives, monitor cards and CD-ROMS.
Upgraded 486 PC lab to Pentium system.

Management Managed computer troubleshooting teams.
Managed departmental night shift.
Trained service oriented employees.

Since Valerie’s work experience had been with a company making auto glass windows she listed her "transferable skills" in the left hand column of her before resume without stating that she had worked for the auto glass manufacturer.

While Valerie’s before resume hits upon some of the skills best suited for a Technical Support or Networking position it did not show the depth of her skills.

Take a moment and read an abbreviated section (only about one-fifth of the resume is provided below) from Valerie’s after resume which she created by using 6 Easy Steps to Create Resumes and Cover Letters for Computer Information Students.

NETWORKING TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Network Administration
• Assigned trustee rights, created users and login scripts, installed operating systems, work stations and print server, and administered security right.
System Troubleshooting
• Consulted with Program Managers to troubleshoot systems in 4 departments.
User Training - Computer Applications
• Designed Access software package for Computer Department tracking 100 clients annually.

EMPLOYMENT, Holmes Manufacturing 1990 - Present

Departmental Management
• Managed departmental operations and staff of 15 for branch with sales of $1.2 million.
Customer Service Administration
• Oversaw customer service and administration to serve up to 200 customers per shift.

Which resume creates the strongest image of Valerie’s skills? Knowing that network administrators often have to coordinate with a variety of departments, service internal customers, train users and troubleshoot systems -- who would you call for an interview when comparing the before and after resume? Using subheads like those shown below the heading of Networking Technical Support, provide depth to your resume and sell your top skills at a glance.

$9,000 Salary Increase
The first resume workshop in this site shows how Fran's after resume resulted in a $9,000 salary increase. Fran wanted a $33,000 Corporate Customer Representative job but her resume created an image of her being at a $20,000 to 24,000 salary level -- that's $9,000 to $13,000 beneath her goal.

What Level Does Your Resume Market You At?
If you are curious to see what level your resume is marketing you at … then be sure to read and use the graphing techniques in my first workshop. By graphing the job titles used in Fran's resume it's easy to see why her resume failed … and once you understand this … you will understand why the majority of resumes fail. You'll then understand how to analyze your job titles and see if you are better off using them or replacing them with skill headings that market you more effectively.

Most People Have Job Titles that Weaken Their Image
I estimate that at least 85% of all job seekers have job titles unrelated to their current career goals … and that they are much better off using skill headings rather than job titles to land higher salaries and double and triple their interview rates.

For example, Fran had been a Directory Operator but in most people's minds that doesn't sound like she's at the level of a Corporate Customer Representative making $33,000 … that's because most people don't view directory operators as providing true customer service. Most people say that Directory Operator sounds like someone making only $20,000. However, by using the 12 Questions in my Proven Resumes Series, Fran wrote a new description of her duties as a Directory Operator that described her being selected out of 100 Directory Operators to provide specialized Customer Service to the Governor's Office and Political Dignitaries in the Washington State Capitol … now that information begins to change our image of Fran doesn't it? That makes her sound much more like someone being able to command $33,000.

Which sounds like a better match for the $33,000 Corporate Customer Service Representative goal… her old job title of Directory Operator … or a skill heading like Customer Service Representative to State of Washington Account. In Fran's actual resume we used the heading of Customer Service Representative but you can see how you can play with skill headings to control and elevate your image … this is one strategy I explain in detail with examples throughout my book, Proven Resumes: Strategies That Have Increased Salaries, and one of the strongest things I can offer you as a resume writer … just in case you don't have the time or patience to write your own.

Going from 0% to 100% Interview Rate
By using skill headings that matched her goal, Fran went from a 0% interview rate to a 100% interview rate -- meaning none of her prior resumes had landed an interview but her new resume landed an interview for each position she applied for.

Click here to learn other ways we improved Fran's resume and landed her a job paying $9,000 more click here to read my first set of resume workshops! If you've entered my site via this page, be sure to go to my home page for an overview of more than 60 Free Resume & Job Search Workshops that include tons of Resume Tips for 45 Career Fields, Job Search, Electronic Resume, Cover Letter, Interviewing, Networking and Confidence Building strategies.

The testimonials at the top of this page and throughout my site describe salary increases ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 and more. Here's one of my most recent ones:

Regina, the resume you wrote caught the attention of the world's leading software manufacturer. Thanks for helping inspire me through your thoughtful questions and objective interpretation of my work history.

I'm sure it made a big difference in my ability to be recognized in a competitive environment and cross the $100,000 threshold. By the way, the offer I accepted was an increase of $25K annually (21% increase).
Rachel Pizarro, Senior Sales Account Executive / Operations Manager

Here are several success stories from computer professionals who have used the strategies presented in my Computer Information booklet and in my Proven Resumes: Strategies That Have Increased Salaries booklets:

In one day of the flooding the Net with my new and improved resume, I got offered $45 an hour in Atlanta, $50 an hour in Tulsa, and $60 an hour in New Jersey. The offer I took was less, but it's 1.6 miles from my home. After being on the job 10 months my employer dusted off my resume and offered me another position at a 29% pay increase! ... the money I spent on your materials has easily returned a thousand fold. Smartest I ever invested!
Al White, Programmer, Software Tester

I landed my current position as a Computer/Network Specialist which increased my salary by 10% after using these strategies. Prior to reading Regina's book, I had sent out numerous resumes and cover letters with little response. After I used her techniques, I received 3 responses within a week and several more after I landed my job. Regina's book made resume writing enjoyable and that's pretty amazing!
David Brendible, Computer/Network Specialist

Having followed your tips and cover letter formats, I have now landed the job that was at the top of my target list--in addition to having to turn several other respectable offers away! Thank you so much, once again. Now I must make a dozen phone calls to disappoint people who want me.
Roger Dewsbury, Software Engineer

Please keep in mind that your results will vary depending on your skills and the prevailing job market and wage conditions in which you are seeking employment.

Click here to read more successes!

Valerie was able to create her after resume by using the resume examples, skill headings, sample sentences and easy to follow worksheets provided in my booklet. Click here if you would like to read a detailed description of 6 Easy Steps to Create Resumes and Cover Letters for Computer Information Students ($8.95 paper copy). I recommend this booklet for those job seekers who are recent graduates and need to learn how to market their Computer Information training and combine it with past work experience to land positions in the $12 to $18 range. If you have extensive experience in the Computer Information or related fields and are seeking positions in the $30,000 to $70,000+ range, then I recommend my newest booklet, Proven Resumes: Strategies That Increase Salaries. It is written for a higher income and experience levels and includes over 2,000 skills and skill lists for 40 industries including Computer System Administration, Technical Support, Computer Equipment and Programs, Project and General Management.

www.ProvenResumes.com
(425) 398-7378
Website Contents, Regina Pontow, 1997-2013
Worldwide Rights Reserved
Website contents derivative of Proven Resumes & Confidence Builders, 1992-2013
DISCLAIMER
resume writing tips - 60 free resume, cover letter, electronic resume and job search workshops