IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[KingTut]

Were you able to get in with no certs?

Yea, it's just an entry level help desk job. Only requirement was a high school diploma.

 

[TheAnalyst504]

Any brehs got 6 Sigma experience?

 

[Spin]

Completely new to the IT field but since my old job closed down I went from making 50k a year to working at a warehouse for 9/hr. I applied for some help desk jobs and got one that starts in January at $14/hr thank goodness. Now I'm just looking for advice on what certs a beginner should get. My manager says to get the Cisco one to start off. Is he right? If so what about after that?

You got the hardest part out of the way which is getting the job. I spent the bulk of 2016 getting certs before I finally landed a job in IT recently.

As far as what certs to get, skip the A+. You have the job so getting a A+ won't really help you. Figure out what area of IT interests you. It might be you won't really know until you start your job. I'm focused on the security route, but I'm also studying AWS at the same time. In addition, I'm getting comfortable with Linux. Since I started my job, I realize I don't really want to be a general system admin. The admin at my job basically adds/removes permissions on folders, resets passwords, and does a form of data entry.

I would highly recommend getting familiar with AWS even if you don't go that route. Linux Academy and Pluralsight help explain AWS in simple terms. My company is considering a transition to AZURE which is a service of Microsoft. Either way, cloud is here to stay.

 

[Apollo Creed]

You got the hardest part out of the way which is getting the job. I spent the bulk of 2016 getting certs before I finally landed a job in IT recently.

As far as what certs to get, skip the A+. You have the job so getting a A+ won't really help you. Figure out what area of IT interests you. It might be you won't really know until you start your job. I'm focused on the security route, but I'm also studying AWS at the same time. In addition, I'm getting comfortable with Linux. Since I started my job, I realize I don't really want to be a general system admin. The admin at my job basically adds/removes permissions on folders, resets passwords, and does a form of data entry.

I would highly recommend getting familiar with AWS even if you don't go that route. Linux Academy and Pluralsight help explain AWS in simple terms. My company is considering a transition to AZURE which is a service of Microsoft. Either way, cloud is here to stay.

how you liking the gig

 

[Spin]

how you liking the gig

It's cool, I couldn't really ask for more from a first job in IT. They're paying for future certs and gave me a subscription to a site of my choice to keep learning. I would much rather do desktop support like I am vs a high volume help desk position. Just gotta put in my time and keep getting certs at this point.

 

[GollyImGully]

Damn brehs I got an offer for a Network Engineer position

It's a strange feeling making this a goal of mine a year ago around this time and actually accomplishing it

Not exactly 6 figure gang But im pretty close

Now with the actual title of Network Engineer on my resume this will make things a lot easier moving towards the future

 

[semtex]

Are big data skills worth learning if you're a developer? please only answer if you know what you're talking about

 

[Apollo Creed]

Are big data skills worth learning if you're a developer? please only answer if you know what you're talking about

Web Developer maybe unless you want to go straight into BI.

 

[semtex]

Has anyone been in a situation where it felt like your work was never really acknowledged? More specifically, having your bosses assume that whoever you worked with did most of the work and/or came up with the good ideas.

 

[newarkhiphop]

Any brehs got 6 Sigma experience?

They made me take the first level of it at work the other day super simple, common sense simple

 

[TRFG]

Has anyone been in a situation where it felt like your work was never really acknowledged? More specifically, having your bosses assume that whoever you worked with did most of the work and/or came up with the good ideas.

Unless you're C level management, that's how it will always be

 

[Ice_MF_Mike]

Unless you're C level management, that's how it will always be

Not necessarily. Sometimes you need to let them kow what you are doing. I may have been lucky but i have had a few managers that were good at letting you know that they see what you are doing well. Of course ive had some that dont, and those i will go and let them know when its time for me to ask for a raise.

Sometimes you got to demand that respect

 

[FatherSimp]

Damn brehs I got an offer for a Network Engineer position

It's a strange feeling making this a goal of mine a year ago around this time and actually accomplishing it

Not exactly 6 figure gang But im pretty close

Now with the actual title of Network Engineer on my resume this will make things a lot easier moving towards the future

 

[SonIsNiceWitHis]

If you aren't getting interviews it's the resume. If you get interviews then it's your interview skills.

But yea post a sanitized version of your resume here and we can give you some feedback.

Here is my resume, i'm trying to break out of helpdesk/ desktop support hell.

https://filetea.me/t1s754tmXzvRja2G1EbPTsbVA

Spoiler: Resume

Education:

Ferrum College, Ferrum, Virginia August 2003-May 2005

Major: Information Systems

Certifications:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) 2016

Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) 2016

Cisco Certified Network Associate Data Center (CCNADC) 2013



Comptia A+ 2011-2014



Experience:


Carl Zeiss Technical Support Technician Richmond, VA August 2015- Present



· Provide phone and remote technical support for large client base with a strong focus on customer service

· Complete minor hardware repairs on networked equipment i.e. Hard Disk Drive swaps

· Perform software updates remotely for clients

· Correspond with a diverse client base, ranging from receptionists to doctors, both verbally and written

· Perform inspections on incoming equipment

· Provide 2nd level client support, escalating to tier 3 if needed

· Perform equipment configuration and setup remotely using Team Viewer

· Provide basic operator training for proprietary software applications

· Document all service calls and record maintenance using Salesforce ticketing system

· Organizing equipment repairs and replacements

· Manage hardware inventory, tracking serial numbers, equipment history, warranty status, and service agreements

· Provide remote support for onsite technicians during install and service calls

· Work effectively within a technical team environment , including internal and contracted technicians

· Remotely troubleshoot networking problems with Windows based systems

· Respond to tickets via email, phone , face to face requests



Dreamel Henry LCSW Desktop Support Richmond, VA July 2013- August 2015



· Installation and configuration of desktop applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite

· Configured and installed malware and antivirus removal programs such as Malware Bytes, Norton ,

McAfee and AVG

· Troubleshoot and maintain network connectivity

· Adding peripheral devices to network utilizing both wired and wireless connections.

· Perform complete system restores and backups

· Mapping network printers

· Perform Windows system and driver updates

· Respond to tickets via email, phone , face to face requests

· Completed workstation installations

· Replaced computer components including but not limited to HDD, flash drives, wireless/blue tooth keyboard and mouse, printer, NIC cards, graphics cards, memory modules, projector

· Recommend equipment upgrades and purchases for SOHO to replace obsolete hardware and increase productivity by combining multiple functions.








SunTrust Mortgage Default Specialist III Richmond, VA September 2011-November 2014



· Responsible for adhering to government regulations: CFPB, FDCPA, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Dodd-Frank Act

· Adhere to investor requirements: FHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, VA, private banks

· Handle all required call volumes and maintain delinquency rates within in established SLAs

· Mitigate losses by determining best options in foreclosure avoidance

· Manually dial specific populations of loans to secure payment or initiate loss mitigation processes

· Keep record of all dial attempts to clients

· Create spreadsheets for dialing campaigns as needed

· Assist teammates with daily collection activities

· Negotiate repayment plans with clients

· Create processes and guidelines to monitor third party vendors

· Evaluate third party vendors through call monitors and customer feedback

· Reconcile invoices from third party vendors to ensure accurate billing and adherence to SLA




T-Mobile USA Tech Support Richmond, VA September 2006- June 2008



· Utilized analytical and technical acumen, to analyze Blackberry/Android Smart Phone issues to troubleshoot and determine solutions on a weekly basis for a regional client base (North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia).

· Provided excellent customer service establishing and maintaining a reputation of excellence ensuring client loyalty for T-Mobile

· Maintained user accounts using proprietary software

· Walked users through steps to add an email account and use advanced features on Blackberry/G1/Smart phones

· Documented all access to customer accounts using Remedy ticketing system



Ferrum College Help Desk Technician Ferrum, VA August 2003-May 2005



· Created Step-by-Step User Guides and Provided Weekly Service Desk Tips for common issues via email

· Maintained 900+ User Accounts in MS Active Directory

· Walked Users through steps to Archive and Auto Archive in Microsoft Outlook

· Provided Technical Support using Remote Desktop Support.

· Diagnosed and resolved software/hardware issues including but not limited to IRQ Conflicts, Device Driver conflicts, memory Failure, HDD failure, power failure, faulty cables , Software compatibility, and CPU fan malfunction

 

[Ice_MF_Mike]

Here is my resume, i'm trying to break out of helpdesk/ desktop support hell.

https://filetea.me/t1s754tmXzvRja2G1EbPTsbVA

Spoiler: Resume

Education:

Ferrum College, Ferrum, Virginia August 2003-May 2005

Major: Information Systems

Certifications:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) 2016

Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) 2016

Cisco Certified Network Associate Data Center (CCNADC) 2013



Comptia A+ 2011-2014



Experience:


Carl Zeiss Technical Support Technician Richmond, VA August 2015- Present



· Provide phone and remote technical support for large client base with a strong focus on customer service

· Complete minor hardware repairs on networked equipment i.e. Hard Disk Drive swaps

· Perform software updates remotely for clients

· Correspond with a diverse client base, ranging from receptionists to doctors, both verbally and written

· Perform inspections on incoming equipment

· Provide 2nd level client support, escalating to tier 3 if needed

· Perform equipment configuration and setup remotely using Team Viewer

· Provide basic operator training for proprietary software applications

· Document all service calls and record maintenance using Salesforce ticketing system

· Organizing equipment repairs and replacements

· Manage hardware inventory, tracking serial numbers, equipment history, warranty status, and service agreements

· Provide remote support for onsite technicians during install and service calls

· Work effectively within a technical team environment , including internal and contracted technicians

· Remotely troubleshoot networking problems with Windows based systems

· Respond to tickets via email, phone , face to face requests



Dreamel Henry LCSW Desktop Support Richmond, VA July 2013- August 2015



· Installation and configuration of desktop applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite

· Configured and installed malware and antivirus removal programs such as Malware Bytes, Norton ,

McAfee and AVG

· Troubleshoot and maintain network connectivity

· Adding peripheral devices to network utilizing both wired and wireless connections.

· Perform complete system restores and backups

· Mapping network printers

· Perform Windows system and driver updates

· Respond to tickets via email, phone , face to face requests

· Completed workstation installations

· Replaced computer components including but not limited to HDD, flash drives, wireless/blue tooth keyboard and mouse, printer, NIC cards, graphics cards, memory modules, projector

· Recommend equipment upgrades and purchases for SOHO to replace obsolete hardware and increase productivity by combining multiple functions.








SunTrust Mortgage Default Specialist III Richmond, VA September 2011-November 2014



· Responsible for adhering to government regulations: CFPB, FDCPA, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Dodd-Frank Act

· Adhere to investor requirements: FHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, VA, private banks

· Handle all required call volumes and maintain delinquency rates within in established SLAs

· Mitigate losses by determining best options in foreclosure avoidance

· Manually dial specific populations of loans to secure payment or initiate loss mitigation processes

· Keep record of all dial attempts to clients

· Create spreadsheets for dialing campaigns as needed

· Assist teammates with daily collection activities

· Negotiate repayment plans with clients

· Create processes and guidelines to monitor third party vendors

· Evaluate third party vendors through call monitors and customer feedback

· Reconcile invoices from third party vendors to ensure accurate billing and adherence to SLA




T-Mobile USA Tech Support Richmond, VA September 2006- June 2008



· Utilized analytical and technical acumen, to analyze Blackberry/Android Smart Phone issues to troubleshoot and determine solutions on a weekly basis for a regional client base (North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia).

· Provided excellent customer service establishing and maintaining a reputation of excellence ensuring client loyalty for T-Mobile

· Maintained user accounts using proprietary software

· Walked users through steps to add an email account and use advanced features on Blackberry/G1/Smart phones

· Documented all access to customer accounts using Remedy ticketing system



Ferrum College Help Desk Technician Ferrum, VA August 2003-May 2005



· Created Step-by-Step User Guides and Provided Weekly Service Desk Tips for common issues via email

· Maintained 900+ User Accounts in MS Active Directory

· Walked Users through steps to Archive and Auto Archive in Microsoft Outlook

· Provided Technical Support using Remote Desktop Support.

· Diagnosed and resolved software/hardware issues including but not limited to IRQ Conflicts, Device Driver conflicts, memory Failure, HDD failure, power failure, faulty cables , Software compatibility, and CPU fan malfunction

Your link isnt working. But formatting is huge. See this as an example. Though i would shorten the summary and format to make sure its under one page. Also you have too many bullets. For each job you want a short summary and then 3 or 4 bullets of key achievements that are quantified if possible. Keep in mind when people read your resume they will likely spend like 15 secs. Maybe less. So the top 1/3rd of your resume should tell them everything they need to know about what you bring to the table. Additionally, there should be zero typos or grammatical errors. Even little things like "memory Failure" just look bad. Proof read like 10 times and be certain there are no errors. Reformat based on the recs above and repost.