Thursday, February 18, 2010

Your Information Technology Resume Shouldn't Suck - Does It?

Your Information Technology Resume Shouldn't Suck - Does It?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Georgia_Stath]Georgia Stath

One of my first IT jobs was with a small company where I was the IT department (a fancy word for a desk in a small corner of a large room).


One day I had to step in when the HR person was away sick for a week. We were interviewing for my position as I had given in my notice to leave that company and spread my wings.


It was a fun experience looking at people's work history. Most resumes were pretty dull, to tell you the truth. The way they were written, nothing exciting jumped up to catch my attention. Most of them were like, blah, blah, blah.... I did this and I did that, type of thing.


But luckily some weren't like that at all. The way they were written, made the writing 'come alive'. Here are a few things that I noticed right away:

They were written in an active voice.
They didn't overuse 'I'.
They listed their accomplishments rather than their 'duties'.

Some people serve as a bad example.

Aghast I realized how boring my resume was as well! After comparing the good with the bad, I realized I wasn't so crash hot in my resume writing either. You see, most of us just throw an information technology resume together not realizing just how important it is. It's the way to the front door. Your resume can either make you or break you. To write a great resume that will make people read it throughout, you gotta know how to write one. But I couldn't be bothered with the task. So I paid to get one professionally done. It worked out great. I paid for it once and it kept on getting me jobs because after studying it, I realized the techniques professionals use to make resumes 'come alive'. So when I needed to change my resume, I just applied those same techniques.

Here is a checklist you can run your information technology resume through 1. Does it read like a 'brochure' selling your skills or does it read more like a catalogue? Solution: use action words to liven it up. You are the product and the resume is your brochure. Highlight what the 'benefits' of the product are.

2. Are you including the heading 'Responsibilities Included'? Solution: This is boring. Write your responsibilities in a way that show:

* The problem you were faced with, * The action that you took to fix it, * The result that came out of that action

3. Don't have the experience for your new position? Solution: Alot of people try to 'beef' their resume up with experience they don't have in order to land their dream job. This is a waste of your time. Consider volunteer work to conquer what is missing. Volunteer work is viewed very highly on a resume. It shows you are a 'giver' and an 'action' person. If you find that you want to reach a job that isn't at your reach yet, consider getting some experience first and applying for this type of job in the near future.

4. Are you using bulleted sentences? Solution: Give the employer an easy way to read your information technology resume, and they will. Rather than writing lengthily paragraphs, cut up the information that you want to stand out in bullet form.

5. Are your headings matching the words listed in the ads you are applying for? Solution: The employer knows what they want. And if they see those keywords in your headings, its makes them stop to read it in more depth. Use keywords in your content as well were applicable. .

6. Are you trying to cram is as much information as you can? Solution: Wrong move. Leave plenty of white space and space the words out for easier reading. Also take out irrelevant information that doesn't do anything for the job you are applying for.

7. Is your resume tweaked for each individual employer? Solution: Your information technology resume should feel 'personal' to the employer. Like it reflects what they are looking for. It's ok to have many types of resumes to apply for a variety of jobs. The mistake most people make is to have one standard information technology resume and apply for different types of jobs.

8. Are you describing your previous jobs as accomplishments? Solution: Whether you think it or not, you have accomplished many things in your previous jobs. Both for yourself and the employer. Really sit down and think what you have done. Don't be modest. Don't think you have accomplished nothing. You just being there has allowed the work to go forward.

9. Are you listing your personal interests? Solution: If you are, make some of those interests relevant to the work you are applying for. For instance, you can say that you love to build and spend time in your home lab. Actually, one guy wrote this on his resume and I did become impressed with it. But don't make dumb claims. Another resume I read listed in personal interests that he likes hacking in his spare time! Now you know this is a wanna be hacker don't you? A real hacker doesn't feel the need to be a smart ass.

10. Have you included an objective? Solution: An objective is what you want to accomplish. Write your objective at the start of your resume, above everything else. The objective should, of course, be relevant to the position you are applying for

11. Are you using numbers, percentages and currency? Solution: These stand out so if it's applicable to your information technology resume, include them in.

12. Is it focusing on the employers needs or yours? Solution: If your resume addressing what the employer is looking for? Are you the answer to their problem? Write it in a way that reflects you are the solution.

13. Are you leaving out anything negative? Solution: In all our jobs, not everything was positive. Don't include the negative. Anything that will harm your chances of an interview should be left out. If it's vital to include such information, reword it in a positive way.

14. Have you proofread? Solution: Spelling and grammatical mistakes can pass you by. Read it on screen and again when you print it out. If you can, give it to others to proofread as well.

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By Georgia Stath, author of [http://www.certification-exam-help.com/information-technology-resume.html]Your Information Technology Resume shouldn't suck. Does it? and [http://www.certification-exam-help.com/information-technology-positions.html]Find Information Technology Positions (Worldwide).

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Your-Information-Technology-Resume-Shouldnt-Suck---Does-It?&id=1765005] Your Information Technology Resume Shouldn't Suck - Does It?

Monday, February 15, 2010

Technology Jobs That Will Survive in Weak Economic Times

Technology Jobs That Will Survive in Weak Economic Times
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=A._Pens]A. Pens

Web developers, designers, animators, embedded systems, semiconductor, messaging specialists, and JAVA developers are likely to be in demand in 2009.

The financial crisis is sending jitters all around the globe, especially to those who are looking for financial, marketing, factory and even technology jobs. Since many companies are affected by the credit crunch, employment opportunities will be scarce in the coming years. But even if many corporations have already started to cut jobs, people who work in the technology sector,

particularly in information technology, should not be that worried. So, if you are one of the many who are seeking employment in the technology sector, below are some jobs that will not be very much affected by the economic problems.

Many experts believe that information technology jobs are not going to be dramatically affected by the financial problems that are facing many companies. In fact, there might even be increased work opportunities in this sector, as companies will be looking for ways to enhance efficiency when it comes to data storage, quality assurance, and other IT services. However, the future may not look as rosy for chief information officers and other senior managers in the IT industry. If you are holding such position, you might experience either a pay cut or termination due to redundancies in your job.

Some of the information technology jobs that will remain robust despite the credit crunch are in computer programming, testing and systems analysis, IT services, and technology development sectors. Remember that positions in such sectors will be available not only in IT companies but

even in corporations in other industries. Keep in mind that almost every business relies on computers and digital technology. So, it is quite impossible for a company to simply close its IT department just to save on money. Therefore, networking engineers, IT administrators, PC support technicians, technical support professionals and computer programmers need not worry about their jobs for now.

Technology jobs that are linked to the Internet are also not very much affected by the economic crisis. In fact, many believe that the demand for Internet professionals will be increasing exponentially as more and more companies will rely on the World Wide Web for cost-efficient ways to market and sell their services and products. Web developers, designers, animators,

embedded systems, semiconductor, messaging specialists, and JAVA developers are just some of the positions that may be available next year. To view exiting job openings in these fields be sure to visit technology job boards like Tech Career Direct. Moreover, there are other positions in the IT industry that may be holding less technical job descriptions but will also be in demand next year. These job positions include customer support, consultancy, marketing, and sales.

Want to view currently available technology jobs that will survive in weak economic times. Use a tech job board to check out thousands of available high tech jobs listings at http://www.techcareerdirect.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Technology-Jobs-That-Will-Survive-in-Weak-Economic-Times&id=1817306] Technology Jobs That Will Survive in Weak Economic Times

Friday, February 12, 2010

Tips for Online Job Searches in the Information Technology Field

Tips for Online Job Searches in the Information Technology Field
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mort_Ferguson]Mort Ferguson

IT, or Information Technology, is an extremely competitive career field to pursue. Although a degree from a university will certainly help you land the job of your dreams, it is also important to have a few tips under your belt that will make your search just a little easier.


The best place to find a job in IT is, of course, through the Internet. There are various online resources that list jobs available in specific fields. The key to getting one of these career opportunities is to learn how and where to look for the job in which you are most interested. When you come across one of these sites, begin the process by registering your personal information in its jobs database. That way you can be automatically alerted via email or in your jobs database account when there is a new job posted in your chosen field.


You next need to confirm your registration so that you will be able to log in properly during your site visit. If afforded the opportunity, post your resume on that site to assist prospective employers doing their own searches for people with your skill sets and general qualifications. It would definitely be great, after all, to have an employer pursuing you! All this may seem pretty self explanatory, but ideal job postings can be missed simply because people fail to fill out the most pertinent information in their job search form.


When performing a detailed search for an Information Technology job, it is important to look at whether the job is considered full time, part time, contractual, or temporary. Many IT jobs may start off as temporary but turn into long term assignments. Additionally, closely evaluate the many details of the job postings you investigate. This simple step will help you pursue a position for which you are well suited.


Lastly, make sure the job is in a location that is easily accessible to you. If you seek work out of state or plan to move for a new career, make sure the company accepts applications from people living in a different state. Some are specific about their preferences for local candidates only.


If the salary is right and the job seems like it would be a good fit for you, then by all means send a resume and cover letter explaining why you would be a good match for the position. If all goes well, you should receive a call for an interview where you can then "market" yourself in person.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-for-Online-Job-Searches-in-the-Information-Technology-Field&id=888546] Tips for Online Job Searches in the Information Technology Field

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Finding IT Jobs - Effective Information Technology Job Search

Finding IT Jobs - Effective Information Technology Job Search
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shaun_Hummel]Shaun Hummel

This article discusses some best practice job search strategies for the information technology sector. According to a recent survey that studied the best practices for prospective employees obtaining employment with a company, these were the best practices in order of effectiveness:

• Social Networking With Company Employees Is Most Effective

• Submitting Your Resume Directly To The Company Web Site

• Submitting Your Resume With Staffing And Service Companies

The following strategies employ all those practices of social networking, submitting your resume directly to the company web site and leveraging the contacts and relationships recruiters have with company employees. The networking tools such as Linkedin and other such tools are key in your establishing contacts with employees of prospective companies.

Social Networking Sites

LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are becoming key with any job search strategy. LinkedIn is a social networking site with 35 million members that focus on promoting contacts among business people, job seekers and those with common interests.

IT Staffing Companies

Staffing and service firms business model includes both contract, contract - permanent, and direct opportunities. The clients include fortune 1000 companies in North America across all industries. It is an excellent opportunity for the candidate to work with the company for a

defined contract period while gaining industry standard experience and leverage that with new opportunities. A lot of the companies have some health insurance plan that is partial or fully funded. In addition there are training resources, 401K plans, and a multitude of other employee benefits. Submit your resume online with there companies and search current opportunities. Keywords are very important with resumes and any search process keeping that in mind.

Microsoft Partner Search

It takes some effort to do a search on Microsoft partners however do a search from the microsoft solution finder web page and go to the career sites.

Cisco 10,000 Partner Network

This is a new venture Cisco has started linking skilled engineers with their 10,000 partner companies. These companies employ Cisco, Microsoft Engineers, Developers, Sales and Project Managers. The official name is cisco partner talent network.

Top 500 VAR Companies

This list of fastest growing technology companies is published each year based on revenues from sales and professional services. They hire network engineers, sales, project managers, administrative personnel, and developers.

Shaun Hummel is the author of [http://ebooks.ebookmall.com/title/job-finder-package-hummel-ebooks.htm]Job Finder eBook and has a web site focused on information technology job search solutions and certifications. http://www.networkjobsolutions.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-IT-Jobs---Effective-Information-Technology-Job-Search&id=2256342] Finding IT Jobs - Effective Information Technology Job Search

Monday, February 8, 2010

How You Can Make Your IT (Information Technology) Job Search Easier

How You Can Make Your IT (Information Technology) Job Search Easier
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Patrick_Morgan]Patrick Morgan

Making Your IT Job Search Easier

It's important to have a plan when you're looking for job opportunities. After all, there are different requirements for every job, and you need to be prepared to give any prospective employer exactly what they're looking for. If the job you're looking for is in the field of Information Technology (or IT), there are some tips that can really help you land your desired position.

First of all, you have to organize your portfolio into hard and soft copies. Although most IT employers find applicants through the internet, there are some who may require you to provide hard copies. It is also preferable if you have a salary and work location in mind. Many companies will be dictating those terms for you, but that's no reason for you to avoid setting goals for yourself. Who knows? A preferred position might be open, and it's best to provide the best possible resume for the best possible job.

After you've prioritized your desired working conditions, it's time to register at the appropriate web sites. Finding the web sites themselves is a simple matter of using any reliable search engine. After you have found a desired site, register yourself and look carefully through the job

listings. To make finding your ideal IT job easier, try submitting an individual profile to the web site. There are a wide variety of jobs in the field of Information Technology, and many sites have systems that match a submitted profile to a suitable vacancy. You will usually be given the

option of part-time or full-time employment, so the choices will not be limited. You can further increase your chances of getting a job by registering on multiple web sites. If the job you are looking for is not on most of the IT web sites, you can still submit your resume. Other potential employers might browse through the web site, so it's good to cover all your bases.

When you've finished submitting your resume, it's only a matter of time before you get a response from an appropriate company. You will notice that by following a specific method of job searching, you not only reduce the time you spend searching for employers, but you also

organize your personal information in a way that appeals to a broader group of companies. If you pair your methodology with initiative and a willingness to face rejection, you are bound to find your dream IT job in no time.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-You-Can-Make-Your-IT-(Information-Technology)-Job-Search-Easier&id=3177075] How You Can Make Your IT (Information Technology) Job Search Easier

Friday, February 5, 2010

Information Technology Jobs

Information Technology Jobs
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Aamir_Noman]Aamir Noman

The rapid spread of Information Technology (IT) has generated a need for highly trained workers to design and develop new hardware and software systems. Information Technology Jobs in the job market is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations as organizations continue to adopt and integrate increasingly sophisticated technologies. The phenomenal growth, which the Information Technology industry is witnessing, has lead to it being recognized as one of the highly paid industry.

Career Opportunities Following are the career areas in the industry of Information Technology:

Software Offers vast range of employment opportunities in fields starting from computer operations, programming, system engineering and operation management, system analysis to system designing.

Hardware The key areas, which can be taken up as career, include hardware designing, assembling, research and development, manufacturing and maintenance of computer components.

Telecom The various fields, which can be pursued as career in:

Information Technology Jobs, include voice processing units, telephone technology, wireless technology, cellular technology and satellite communication systems.

Sales and Marketing Sales and marketing in IT industry are a specialist tasks and require a thorough study of products and their competitions in the growing market. A Marketing job covers selling of both hardware and software products.

E-Commerce and Web Development The job will include consumer/buyer information and services, developing and managing Web-portals; creation of Internet market, consulting, customer management etc.

Enterprise:

Resource Planning ERP is developing and planning the resources of entire network of an enterprise. Various fields like purchase, production, marketing, sales, distribution, service, inventory, finance, accounts, and human resource are integrated on single software through ERP, to facilitate better coordination.

Computer Operator A computer operator's job is to run both the computer software and its peripheral equipment. The job may vary depending upon size of the organizations and its exposure to computers.

Data Entry Data entry is transferring data and information into the computer and is the most basic purpose for which computers are used. Data entry operators are needed in almost every IT based organization.

Eligibility Individuals with an advanced degree in computer science or computer engineering or with an MBA with a concentration in information systems should enjoy highly favorable

rel=nofollow [http://bayrozgar.com]Information Technology Jobs. College graduates with a bachelor's degree in computer science, information science, computer engineering or MIS also should enjoy favorable prospects for employment, particularly if they have supplemented their formal education with practical experience.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Information-Technology-Jobs&id=1317609] Information Technology Jobs

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Information Technology Job

Information Technology Job
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Baba]Ryan Baba

Information Technology Jobs are Everywhere - Even Where You Don't Expect Them

If you are looking for that great career, or if you are looking for a career change then you should really consider looking at information technology jobs. The world of computers is continually growing, the field is becoming bigger and businesses need more and more experts within a certain field in the realm of computers.

Information technology jobs are increasing daily, and these jobs are permeating all areas and all career fields. The following are traditional information technology jobs, which will give you a basic understanding of the types of jobs available, but there are also many other IT jobs within other career fields.

The Computer Programmer
Career options for computer programmers are continually changing, because software and hardware requirements are also constantly changing. This career field requires you to keep up to date with new programs and to gain experience in them every year. A computer programmer's salary will also vary depending on the experience he has.

Web Designer
This is another Information Technology job, but the web designer is not necessarily a programmer, but may have programming knowledge in some cases. Most web designers work making web pages. Web sales pages, web data bases, etc. The web designer often works hand in hand with a web programmer, but can also work with the creative artist, and graphic artist.

The Computer Animation Expert
This is the specialist that works with moving animations, training videos, games, etc. The person that works in this field needs to be knowledgeable about information technology, but also creative and artistic. This person loves computer games and anything related to animation.

The Web Editor and SEO Specialist
These information technology jobs involve the writing of content in a practical way especially for the internet. It involves the correct placing of a site within Google. Usually the people that enter into this field have had some kind of writing background in college and computer background too.

The Computer Network Engineer
This information technology job involves working with the computer itself, the hardware, software and the company's networking capabilities. He repairs, diagnoses, changes out computers, and re-establishes the servers working when something happens.

Other Information Technology Jobs
The above are the traditional information technology jobs, but now more and more career fields are requiring extensive computer knowledge. For example if you plan on entering an engineering field, there will be many different computer applications you will need to be able to manage.

The same holds true for accounting and science fields. If for instance you decide to work in geology you will need to work with spatial technology computer applications and GPS technology.

Internet technology skills will be vital in the future in almost all career fields. The more computer skills you have the better your job skills will be and the better job you will land.

So, if you are choosing your career and are worried about future job security, then a job in information technology is what you are looking for. To advance your career and improve your pay as an IT professional you should read more in detail at rel=nofollow Online IT Degree . Computer technology is not going anywhere. They will never be obsolete, although you will always have to keep your skills up to date because of the fast changes that occur within these fields.

Ryan Baba writes about career prospects for IT professionals at Online IT Degree. http://www.onlineitdegree.org

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Information-Technology-Job&id=1718438] Information Technology Job