| Information technology jobs are popping up in | | | | experience they need than someone with a dozen |
| unheard-of numbers all over the world. After all, | | | | certifications but no hands-on experience. |
| everyone uses computers today, which means | | | | Demonstrate problem-solving abilities. At its core, |
| everyone needs help figuring them out and fixing | | | | information technology is all about |
| them when things go awry. But just because more | | | | problem-solving-finding a problem, identifying its |
| IT jobs are available than ever before doesn't mean | | | | cause, and correcting the problem. Make sure your |
| that you can slap together a so-so resume and | | | | resume reflects the most impressive ways you've |
| assume you'll be hired. Why not? Because there are | | | | used your problem-solving skills in the past to help |
| also more applicants than ever before. So it's crucial | | | | your company or clients resolve their IT issues. |
| that your resume is both eye-catching and | | | | Avoid jargon and acronyms. Information technology |
| informative. Below are some tips that will help you | | | | uses more jargon and acronyms than just about any |
| stand out from the IT crowd and land an interview | | | | other field, so IT applicants need to be especially |
| for your dream job. | | | | careful when it comes to abusing them on a resume. |
| Target your resume to the job. Your resume will be | | | | Don't assume that someone familiar with IT terms |
| given more weight if it's clear that you've created it | | | | will be reading your resume-at least not at every |
| especially for the IT job that's been posted. Look | | | | step in the process. Depending on the company, your |
| through the requirements for the job and make sure | | | | resume may go through a general hiring manager |
| your corresponding skills and experience are the first | | | | first, and if he or she can't decipher your resume, it |
| things listed on your resume. | | | | may get tossed. |
| Use the skills section. Most people have a skills | | | | Don't exaggerate. Stretching the truth, exaggerating, |
| section on their resume, but they include two or | | | | outright lying-call it what you will, but playing fast and |
| three "skills" such as two years of college French or | | | | loose with your experience or credentials will most |
| the ability to create PowerPoint presentations. For | | | | likely come back to haunt you. Companies aren't |
| the IT resume, however, the skills section is one of | | | | going to entrust their precious IT infrastructure to |
| the most important and should be placed before your | | | | just anyone and usually do more extensive checking |
| work history. This is where you can really put | | | | on IT candidates. Put your experience in the best |
| yourself head and shoulders above the competition | | | | light, but stick to the truth. |
| by listing all of your experience with and knowledge | | | | Identify your value. Clearly state the value that you |
| of hardware and software. Just make sure your lists | | | | will bring to your potential employer. Don't assume |
| are organized into easy-to-read segments. | | | | that your skills, experience, and certifications are |
| Give certifications and experience equal weight. IT is | | | | saying it for you; spell it out. "I am able to |
| one profession where experience counts at least as | | | | single-handedly support your mainframe needs, as |
| much as any certifications you have. Don't get me | | | | evidenced by (insert experience)..." says a lot more |
| wrong; certifications are important. They show that | | | | to employers than a simple fact or number. |
| you've put in the time to learn important programs | | | | Companies want to get the most bang for their |
| and procedures. But if you're light on certifications, it's | | | | buck, and you need to prove that hiring you is the |
| not necessarily a deal breaker. Most companies would | | | | best decision they could make. |
| rather hire someone with three years of the | | | | |