I am about to complete Associates degree in IT. Additionally I am working towards A+ certification though not complete. I have studied much of the requirements for an MCSE though never took any tests. My troubleshooting skills and abilites to resolve issues is also very good. I am also quite familiar with Microsoft OS's, Office applications, Front page, XHTML, HTML, and CSS. How best to show this on the resume if at all? Should I state something like basic proficiency, moderate proficiency, or is there some other way to show this. Lastly, I am applying for a entry level software development position. While having a certificate would be great, many people who are proficient in computer technology have learned it on their own. If you can take a few exams, and if you live in a larger city there are Certified Microsoft Examination Centers near you. Just go to the Educational area of the Microsoft website and then do a Search for your area.
If you are not near an examination center, or think your skills, while good enough for many tasks are not yet honed enough to actually sit for an exam, and you would be surprised how simple you might find them if you are as experienced as you say, then by all means include what you know on your resume.
Many employers, while they prefer certification, understand many individuals learn on their own. Especially when you are applying for a technical position. Just be sure to clearly state what you believe you know and feel confident you could demonstrate if asked, and that you are Self Taught in these areas.
There are many employer's who would view your self education in these or any area as signs of your initiative. Employers like to know employee's are self directed and can improve themselves without needing formal guidance.
Now, not every employer will be as liberal in this viewpoint, and some have requirements that employee's working in certain areas have formal degrees or certification.
However, if you can get your foot into an entry level position you may also become eligible for employee educational allowances, or if you demonstrate your value could have your entire education paid for by your employer. My brother started in the assembly line and is now the top district manager over 200 employee's, he did not begin with *any* formal education past his high school degree, yet his employer saw his potential and paid for his bachelor degree. With his bachelor degree he is now highly marketable. However, he stays with his current employment even though there was never any requirement he stay with them any period of time following his education. He stays because he is happy with that company and feels he is paid what he is worth and has plenty of advancement opportunities. He began his climb when he was twenty eight years old, so don't think this isn't a good time, anytime is a good time.
If you show confidence in yourself, not arrogance, but confidence, that will be conveyed to your prospective employer's and will really make you stand out from the crowd.
Remember to interview your employer too! This is a mutual relationship you will enter and you need to ensure your needs are met, not just your employer's needs are met. Any prospective employer who is not willing to answer your questions is not worth your time or effort.
Most employers are highly receptive to prospective employee's who ask a lot of questions about the position and company, as well as show they did their research about the company and position prior to arriving at the interview.
During the interview you can demonstrate your interest and initiative by casually commenting on the fact that this or that drew your attention to this particular company and why you believe you and it will be a good match. Employers like to know that you believe you are an asset and value yourself enough to check out the company in order to be sure you will be content and happy working there, and why.
One last comment: Even if you do feel a lack of confidence, do yourself a favor: "Fake it till you make it". What I mean is if you *behave* as though you have all the confidence in the world, that confidence will become a reality. As long as you are truly attempting to project an air of confidence, even if you are quaking in your boots, nobody but you will ever know your legs are shaking. It is all about appearances, and nobody can read you mind, your heart, or your soul. So, be confident even if you do not feel it yet, and you *will* feel it I promise.
Good luck and much success in your chosen field and career path, please have a nice day. Put them all, as long as your confidence in answering when you are being interview for the position.
HTH Create a project for your interviewers. Show them your project, your code and explain to them what your program does.
Projects and Ebooks are a good step for the "Entry-Level" developer. Show them that you CAN develop and show them What you CAN develop. They need to see what you can do for them... Otherwise you'll go in there empty handed with a degree... They don't like that...
As far as your resume, simply put your projects as a skill set and start off with a blank resume... Sometimes in Developers paths... you might have to write down a bs position you "had" but explain what you can really DO in that description. Explain the type of responsibilities you're willing to take on with the new company.
Not really emphasizing to lie completely... but they need to know that they're not just picking up some kid who doesn't know what he's doing in a work environment.
Good luck on the resume, explain your skills strongly. Do not put them in a list! Explain to them how you "DID" something in a project and how you handled it to perform what was needed to complete the project efficiently.(Briefly... 1 Sentence... SHORT - no more then 15 syllables) You need to BRAG your *** off at an interview... :)
IF you do get an interview... remember.. half of the times you will be interviewed by some Human Resources guy who doesn't know anything about what you're talking about. If it sounds good, you're golden. Just make sure you're not telling some off the wall BS because you might be interviewed by a Senior Developer.
If you are a student... familiarize yourself with Dream Spark and download all the developer tools to become familiar with them. Dreamspark is Free for all students.
http://channel8.msdn.com - click "Get software for free" on top right corner...
if you're school isn't listed, my walk-through should help you establish an account with Dreamspark. You will REQUIRE a Windows Live account(hotmail)
http://www.itjournal-stevekline.com/Drea... - Word 2k3 Doc Format.
Read that for instructions to sign up for dreamspark.. Email me w/ questions.
ekline@email.itt-tech.edu |
