Resume help please!

[SamuraiInBlack]

Out of the blue an employment agency I haven't heard back from in forever, decided to call me up and find out if I was interested in a computer related job they just got in. Given the fact I currently work retail and loathe it, I most definitely am. The rep I talked to is going to get more information in regards to the job later on this afternoon. The job information so far as of this posting sounds like a technician job. No other details (i.e. pay, temp, part, or full time, etc.)

In the meantime I have to cough up a resume for tomorrow morning when I go into the employment agency to fill out an application for work. Now the fun part:

My previous employment has absolutely nothing to do with computers unless you count selling digital cameras and camcorders and that I work at Best Buy. But to my knowledge none of my previous employers have had any complaints about me.

As far as computer related skills they are all self-taught skills with the exception of two years in a highschool basic computers course that did minor programming (in COBOL. Ugh...) and one at a place called the Technology Center of DuPage, also while I was in highschool. I was part of the Computer Information Systems program. For a year I covered C, C++, Visual Basic, Flash, and Java. Obviously in a year's time I only got my feet wet at best. Is this even worth putting on the resume, also given the fact I haven't messed with any of that since attending?

College degree? I have one year of DeVry for Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) under my belt. No, I did not do so well, and I couldn't afford to go anymore past the one year even with loans even if I was doing awesome at it.

Certifications? None.

My self taught skills:

HTML - 4 years
CSS - 2 years
PC hardware: Troubleshooting, installing, and building PCs - 7 years
PC software: Adobe Photoshop - 4 years, Dreamweaver - 1 year, Windows 98 - 2 years of troubleshooting, operating and installing, Windows 2000 - 4 years troubleshooting, operating, and installing, Windows XP - 1 year troubleshooting, operating and installing, Linux - still learning
Networking: Built three wired home networks using a router and cat5 cable. Installed and did basic troubleshooting (no busting out any special meters or anything.) when something was wrong with these networks. If it helps any, two of them I still maintain.

My accomplishments:
Assembled 3 computers for myself, completed the assembly of a computer for my mother that started with a barebones kit, and serve as a family technician for both my family and my girlfriend's family.
My teacher at TCD for my CIS program always had something great to say about my progress no matter what language I went through. I don't remember my exact grade but I know it was a B or an A.

---------------

Three questions:
1. How screwed am I?
2. I know part of what I need to fix this is obviously going to entail getting my degree and the certifications, but how does a guy like me build up resume-worthy work experience in the meantime?
3. Is there any way I can put any of this information to use in my resume?

As I stated before none of my previous employment has anything to do with it with the exception of working at an electronics retailer. So how would guys like me get our foot in the door on something like this?

Also, I was thinking about having my objective/summary statement being along the lines of this, but NOT this exactly:

"I seek employment in a computer related jobs that will make use of my self-taught PC-related skills in hardware and/or software, allowing me to focus on my career in the computer industry."

Does that sound good? And if not, what would you suggest?

Edit: I'm aware there's an IT thread in the Networking forum but I wasn't sure if this applied in that forum because it's not specifically a networking job from what it sounds like.

 

[djnes]

It's going to be very tricky to turn that into a good resume, but then again, it might be enough to get the job if it's just as a technician. It's very hard to answer your questions without knowing about the job.

I used to give little "seminars" at Drexel on writing resumes, cover letters, and interviewing. The point is, you need to know about the job, in order to make the resume, and more importantly, the cover letter stand out.

As far as gaining experience, you should try to switch into the repair type jobs of Best Buy. If you are gunning for a technician job, they are going to wonder why you are selling digital cameras, instead of working in the repair area. That will come across as a negative. Then, while you work, you should probably go through your local community college for at the very least an associates in something related to the IT field...if that's where you want to go.

As far as what I'd include on the resume, for computer skills...only list what you know enough to do, if asked to use on the job your interviewing for. If you'd have to pick up a book and relearn it all, I wouldn't mention it. I also would be skeptical of putting the one year of DeVry on...unless you were specific in the coursework (and it's related)...and you make a mental note to mention you stopped going due to finances...not grades.

 

[SamuraiInBlack]

Alright well I just called the agency back and talked to the rep. Apparently this is going to be helpdesk work. The example she gave me was "My printer won't work" and along the lines of that.

Well, I've definitely had to deal with things like that between both my family and my girlfriend's family. So it's nothing I wouldn't be used to doing. Now if I do get this thing, let's just hope the people I talk to won't be carbon copies of my mother.

Anyway, that's what i've managed to find out. Apparently whoever this company or employer is, they are being very vague and I won't have any information till I go in tomorrow. That in itself is making me wary about this whole 'helpdesk' thing. Should I be worried?

Would it be in my best interests to leave my current work experience blank? Or leave some kind of note that it's very minor related work that I did? Or should I still throw in my previous work experience to note that I'm not some shiftless bum?

 

[SamuraiInBlack]

http://www.geocities.com/protossianzergboy/resume.doc

Don't know if this will work or not for hosting but it's all I've got on short notice without finding a free file host to sign up for. I knew there'd be a use for my old space... lol

Anyway, this is my resume thus far. Felt it would be better to place my skills first, jobs second, education last.

MOD EDIT by Papa-ming: To the OP, here's another link to resume discussion here on the Forum:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=776045.

However, you thread is off topic for this forum. Good Luck though.