A True Resume Booster

http://www.cbt.edu

So, everyone knows the importance of a resume, right? There are thousands upon thousands of articles online about resume writing and resume optimization. Don’t do this, include that, don’t use this word….. And while yes, those tips are valid and can get your resume noticed and reviewed, the content and credentials you offer will ultimately get you the job. So, what is it that we need in today’s situation to make sure we get the position we want, and not the first one that takes us: education, experience, and certifications.

Of course, a fresh college graduate may not come in with the apparent new standard of two years experience, which to me is ridiculous. My question to employers everywhere: how is a recent grad, who may in fact be the next innovator in his/her field going to get any experience if not given an opportunity? How do we expect people to have experience if no employer is willing to be the one to give the experience? I understand certain fields may be more justified in this qualification, but in general, not accepting a perfectly qualified candidate with great hands on training, excellent grades and top notch, industry certifications just because they have yet to acquire two years of experience is a bit ridiculous.


In my honest opinion, education and certifications are more telling than experience, and should be seen as such. Education tells an employer than you are most likely up to date on all the latest information, theories, and training in your field, while certifications show a preparedness to step in immediately and be able to perform at a high level with minimal training from the employer. Experience, on the other hand, could be very good but also very bad. For example, if a certain candidate has ten years of experience, yet no formal training and no certifications, that candidate could have been performing the duties you require inefficiently, ineffectively, or incorrectly for the last ten years. Let’s just say the candidate has been performing the duties correctly, but not in a way that you like for the last ten years. I wonder how much time needs to be spent breaking ten years of habits… On the other hand, you have a recent grad from a Networking Administration program, with no formal experience, but a 3.8 GPA, A+, Network+, MCSA, and CCNA (Cisco) certifications. This person is more than qualified to be your help desk analyst. He also has no bad habits acquired from years of doing things “his way”. The employer can then mold this person to do the tasks to their liking.

Where am I going with all this? While experience is great and shows you probably know how to handle the tasks, and education demonstrates your knowledge of the subject matter, certifications offer both of those things rolled into one! My point is simply that if you can add any certifications to your credentials, do so because they truly go a long way. Even if it’s something as simple as MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist), it really says something. Anyone can claim to be proficient in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, but an MOS has proof. Anyone can say they have a mastery of the Adobe Suite, but an ACE (Adobe Certified Expert) with a great portfolio has proof!


http://www.cbt.edu