Where is it that I am going wrong?
Discussion
I have managed to get myself down over this whole issue so I apologise if this appears to be more of a rant than anything else.
I am unemployed. By self-taught trade I am an IT field service engineer with network cabling background.
I have around 6 years experience in this industry, and also 4 years specialised within the petroleum industry (forecourt systems). Added to that I have limited electrical installation skills, and recently EPOS configuration and support experience.
Over the last year, I have gone from leaving a job which was advertised wrongly to me at interview, to being unemployed for the best part of 8 months.
I apply to jobs at a rate of 20-50 per week, depending on what is available.
I have no relevant industry qualifications, only what I have learnt from being in the field. I am trying to rectify this through part time and intensive learning, although my latest endeavour was cancelled due to low interest in the course.
I seem to get little to no interest in the positions I apply for, even though I tailor my CV and covering letter to explain how I would be able to fit the position and better the company (if I can find out any information about the company from the advert).
As it stands, I am under offer for a low paid field service job, but which requires reference checks that would take at least 3 weeks at a best estimate.
In short, I feel that I have the correct aptitude and approach to finding myself in gainful employment, yet am feeling increasingly downhearted by the lack of any real progress or in finding a role that would even pay enough at the moment. Money is starting to become a real problem, in keeping with PistonHeads, my car is currently off the road due to some simple work needed, and the fact that I cannot justify paying the car tax unless I have interviews to go to.
Reading this back, it's more of an advertisement for myself than anything else. I'm sorry it reads this way, but I really feel that I am losing out here.
Would anyone be able to offer any guidance to me?
Many Thanks,
Steve
I am unemployed. By self-taught trade I am an IT field service engineer with network cabling background.
I have around 6 years experience in this industry, and also 4 years specialised within the petroleum industry (forecourt systems). Added to that I have limited electrical installation skills, and recently EPOS configuration and support experience.
Over the last year, I have gone from leaving a job which was advertised wrongly to me at interview, to being unemployed for the best part of 8 months.
I apply to jobs at a rate of 20-50 per week, depending on what is available.
I have no relevant industry qualifications, only what I have learnt from being in the field. I am trying to rectify this through part time and intensive learning, although my latest endeavour was cancelled due to low interest in the course.
I seem to get little to no interest in the positions I apply for, even though I tailor my CV and covering letter to explain how I would be able to fit the position and better the company (if I can find out any information about the company from the advert).
As it stands, I am under offer for a low paid field service job, but which requires reference checks that would take at least 3 weeks at a best estimate.
In short, I feel that I have the correct aptitude and approach to finding myself in gainful employment, yet am feeling increasingly downhearted by the lack of any real progress or in finding a role that would even pay enough at the moment. Money is starting to become a real problem, in keeping with PistonHeads, my car is currently off the road due to some simple work needed, and the fact that I cannot justify paying the car tax unless I have interviews to go to.
Reading this back, it's more of an advertisement for myself than anything else. I'm sorry it reads this way, but I really feel that I am losing out here.
Would anyone be able to offer any guidance to me?
Many Thanks,
Steve
Your post reads very well except for this sentence:
Post a redacted version of your CV for us to have a look at (I have given and recieved a lot of CV advice on here which has helped me no end).
Give an example of any cover letters you have used.
YesItsARover said:
In short, I feel that I have the correct aptitude and approach to finding myself in gainful employment
which sounds like you are trying too hard to sound 'professional'. If you come across like this through your CV/Cover Letters, this may be the problem.Post a redacted version of your CV for us to have a look at (I have given and recieved a lot of CV advice on here which has helped me no end).
Give an example of any cover letters you have used.
Stevenj214 said:
Your post reads very well except for this sentence:
Post a redacted version of your CV for us to have a look at (I have given and received a lot of CV advice on here which has helped me no end).
Give an example of any cover letters you have used.
Thank you for your response. I understand that I may have come accross as pompous there, it wasn't my intetion. As you have picked it out though, it may be where I am falling down.YesItsARover said:
In short, I feel that I have the correct aptitude and approach to finding myself in gainful employment
which sounds like you are trying too hard to sound 'professional'. If you come across like this through your CV/Cover Letters, this may be the problem.Post a redacted version of your CV for us to have a look at (I have given and received a lot of CV advice on here which has helped me no end).
Give an example of any cover letters you have used.
My CV is as follows:
CV said:
Location and contact details
SYNOPSIS
Field service technician with most recent experience on EPOS systems.
4 years experience installing and maintaining PC-based hardware in a petrol station environment.
Have knowledge of forecourt systems and how they operate.
Experienced network cable installation engineer, electrical installation experience.
Full UK driving license and passport.
References available on request.
EDUCATION
* College 2001-2002 and 2005-2006
Electrical Installation, Modules 1 and 2
* High School
10xGCSE 1996-2001
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
First Aid Certificate Holder July 2007
WYTS Pump Meter Audit Training April 2007
SPA Core and Petrol Forecourt Safety Card Holder April 2009
NEXANS, EXCEL and CONNECTIX brands CAT6 Installation Engineer 2005
WORK EXPERIENCE
Field Service Engineer – * August 2010 – December 2010
Currently I am employed to carry out installation, reactive maintenance and decommissioning of cutting edge EPOS solutions in a variety of high-class restaurants and bars.
This includes diagnosing faults on HP servers, bespoke touch screen Windows systems, handheld PC devices, internet routers and network switches.
I am trained to help out on the support call desk, logging and resolving issues with hardware and software for a large base of clients.
Within this role I also spend time in the company’s workshop, setting up (hot-staging) new systems ahead of installations and diagnosing / repairing faulty equipment returned from site.
Installation Engineer – *
September 2009 – May 2010
I was approached by * to assist in an installation program of PC-based wet stock management systems into a nation-wide fuel retailer’s petrol stations. This included the physical installation of hardware and cabling, as well as the software setup.
I also conducted reactive maintenance of these systems and provided constructive feedback to the software developers about further expanding the software’s capabilities and ease of use.
Installation Supervisor – * July 2006 – September 2009
Originally I was employed to conduct scheduled and reactive works in regards to the installation and maintenance of small IT-based data acquisition platforms into petrol stations, across the whole of the UK. This position required me to install Windows XP based computer systems into a variety of environments and to configure and manage bespoke software related to the product.
I was promoted in October 2007. I then became responsible for organising the installations for a team of Engineers, for scheduling and stock matters and liaising with different departments for installation timescales, budgets and deadlines.
I was also tasked to schedule and conduct reactive maintenance work on a 24-hour basis, which has allowed me to develop a good sense of time management and situational awareness. It was also asked of me to conduct training sessions with third party sub-contractors in regards to using and installing our equipment and software.
Installation Team Leader – * April 2005 - June 2006
I was in charge of a small team of engineers tasked with installing and commissioning network infrastructure into offices and building sites in the Greater London area. With this job I gained a very good understanding of network principles and electrical theory. Given that we were often tasked with overcoming problems we had not experienced before, this role frequently required me to formulate a revised plan at short notice and carry it out.
IT AND OTHER SKILLS
Good knowledge of: Microsoft Access, Microsoft Office as a package, Microsoft Autoroute, MapPoint. Windows 2000, XP, Vista, recently Windows 7 and various remote-access software products.
Network cable installation experience, network setup experience.
Electrical installation experience.
Excellent customer facing skills and telephone manner. Have been involved in selling the product(s) and recommending systems to clients. Advising possible solutions for on-site problems that are not directly related to the systems I maintained.
I am currently looking to further my knowledge and skills by joining a company which has a proven track record in regards to career progression.
Please note that the formatting is out!SYNOPSIS
Field service technician with most recent experience on EPOS systems.
4 years experience installing and maintaining PC-based hardware in a petrol station environment.
Have knowledge of forecourt systems and how they operate.
Experienced network cable installation engineer, electrical installation experience.
Full UK driving license and passport.
References available on request.
EDUCATION
* College 2001-2002 and 2005-2006
Electrical Installation, Modules 1 and 2
* High School
10xGCSE 1996-2001
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
First Aid Certificate Holder July 2007
WYTS Pump Meter Audit Training April 2007
SPA Core and Petrol Forecourt Safety Card Holder April 2009
NEXANS, EXCEL and CONNECTIX brands CAT6 Installation Engineer 2005
WORK EXPERIENCE
Field Service Engineer – * August 2010 – December 2010
Currently I am employed to carry out installation, reactive maintenance and decommissioning of cutting edge EPOS solutions in a variety of high-class restaurants and bars.
This includes diagnosing faults on HP servers, bespoke touch screen Windows systems, handheld PC devices, internet routers and network switches.
I am trained to help out on the support call desk, logging and resolving issues with hardware and software for a large base of clients.
Within this role I also spend time in the company’s workshop, setting up (hot-staging) new systems ahead of installations and diagnosing / repairing faulty equipment returned from site.
Installation Engineer – *
September 2009 – May 2010
I was approached by * to assist in an installation program of PC-based wet stock management systems into a nation-wide fuel retailer’s petrol stations. This included the physical installation of hardware and cabling, as well as the software setup.
I also conducted reactive maintenance of these systems and provided constructive feedback to the software developers about further expanding the software’s capabilities and ease of use.
Installation Supervisor – * July 2006 – September 2009
Originally I was employed to conduct scheduled and reactive works in regards to the installation and maintenance of small IT-based data acquisition platforms into petrol stations, across the whole of the UK. This position required me to install Windows XP based computer systems into a variety of environments and to configure and manage bespoke software related to the product.
I was promoted in October 2007. I then became responsible for organising the installations for a team of Engineers, for scheduling and stock matters and liaising with different departments for installation timescales, budgets and deadlines.
I was also tasked to schedule and conduct reactive maintenance work on a 24-hour basis, which has allowed me to develop a good sense of time management and situational awareness. It was also asked of me to conduct training sessions with third party sub-contractors in regards to using and installing our equipment and software.
Installation Team Leader – * April 2005 - June 2006
I was in charge of a small team of engineers tasked with installing and commissioning network infrastructure into offices and building sites in the Greater London area. With this job I gained a very good understanding of network principles and electrical theory. Given that we were often tasked with overcoming problems we had not experienced before, this role frequently required me to formulate a revised plan at short notice and carry it out.
IT AND OTHER SKILLS
Good knowledge of: Microsoft Access, Microsoft Office as a package, Microsoft Autoroute, MapPoint. Windows 2000, XP, Vista, recently Windows 7 and various remote-access software products.
Network cable installation experience, network setup experience.
Electrical installation experience.
Excellent customer facing skills and telephone manner. Have been involved in selling the product(s) and recommending systems to clients. Advising possible solutions for on-site problems that are not directly related to the systems I maintained.
I am currently looking to further my knowledge and skills by joining a company which has a proven track record in regards to career progression.
Covering Letter said:
To Whom It May Concern,
I wish to apply for the position of ***.
I have six years experience in both the technical field service role (petrol stations, IT infrastructure, EPOS systems) and electrical / network installation fields. With this experience I believe that I would be well suited for the available role.
Please review my attached CV for more details.
Regards,
This is a really basic version. The more information about the position I have, the more I can tailor the letter.I wish to apply for the position of ***.
I have six years experience in both the technical field service role (petrol stations, IT infrastructure, EPOS systems) and electrical / network installation fields. With this experience I believe that I would be well suited for the available role.
Please review my attached CV for more details.
Regards,
I appreciate the formatting isn't making it easy, but at first glance it is very wordy and difficult to pick out exactly what you have done previously and what your strengths are. Your education, which you know is not the best, should not be one of the first things to be seen. Move it to after your employment history.
In place of the synopsis I would have a personal statement along the lines of
"I am an experienced field service technician with specialist knowledge of Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems. I am a dependable and hard working technician, able to work independently and manage my own workload efficiently. I am looking for a position where I can utilise my skills and previous experience to become a reliable member of your field service team"
Things like full driving license and references available on request should be at the very end.
Your professional training and qualifications seem to be old and possibly out of date. I don't think your 2007 first aid certificate will still be valid?
For your work experience:
1) Your most recent job is written in present tense even though it finished in December (plus, didn't you say you have been out of work for 8 months?)
2) Instead of writing a paragraph for each position, use bullet points to tell what you did and what you achieved. i.e:
Field Service Engineer – * August 2010 – December 2010
You don't seem to mention who the employer was?
A few points to start with
In place of the synopsis I would have a personal statement along the lines of
"I am an experienced field service technician with specialist knowledge of Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems. I am a dependable and hard working technician, able to work independently and manage my own workload efficiently. I am looking for a position where I can utilise my skills and previous experience to become a reliable member of your field service team"
Things like full driving license and references available on request should be at the very end.
Your professional training and qualifications seem to be old and possibly out of date. I don't think your 2007 first aid certificate will still be valid?
For your work experience:
1) Your most recent job is written in present tense even though it finished in December (plus, didn't you say you have been out of work for 8 months?)
2) Instead of writing a paragraph for each position, use bullet points to tell what you did and what you achieved. i.e:
Field Service Engineer – * August 2010 – December 2010
You don't seem to mention who the employer was?
- Responsible for installation, trouble shooting and decommissioning of EPOS systems
- Remotely assisted clients with hardware and software issues
- Diagnosed and repaired faulty equipment
- In house set up of EPOS systems prior to installation
A few points to start with
Stevenj214 said:
I appreciate the formatting isn't making it easy, but at first glance it is very wordy and difficult to pick out exactly what you have done previously and what your strengths are. Your education, which you know is not the best, should not be one of the first things to be seen. Move it to after your employment history.
In place of the synopsis I would have a personal statement along the lines of
"I am an experienced field service technician with specialist knowledge of Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems. I am a dependable and hard working technician, able to work independently and manage my own workload efficiently. I am looking for a position where I can utilise my skills and previous experience to become a reliable member of your field service team"
Things like full driving license and references available on request should be at the very end.
Your professional training and qualifications seem to be old and possibly out of date. I don't think your 2007 first aid certificate will still be valid? - Changed, you are quite correct.
For your work experience:
1) Your most recent job is written in present tense even though it finished in December (plus, didn't you say you have been out of work for 8 months?) - Changed. I was out of work 8 months in the last 12
2) Instead of writing a paragraph for each position, use bullet points to tell what you did and what you achieved. i.e:
Field Service Engineer – * August 2010 – December 2010
You don't seem to mention who the employer was? - It has been redacted
A few points to start with
Edited to add a couple of comments in bold.In place of the synopsis I would have a personal statement along the lines of
"I am an experienced field service technician with specialist knowledge of Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems. I am a dependable and hard working technician, able to work independently and manage my own workload efficiently. I am looking for a position where I can utilise my skills and previous experience to become a reliable member of your field service team"
Things like full driving license and references available on request should be at the very end.
Your professional training and qualifications seem to be old and possibly out of date. I don't think your 2007 first aid certificate will still be valid? - Changed, you are quite correct.
For your work experience:
1) Your most recent job is written in present tense even though it finished in December (plus, didn't you say you have been out of work for 8 months?) - Changed. I was out of work 8 months in the last 12
2) Instead of writing a paragraph for each position, use bullet points to tell what you did and what you achieved. i.e:
Field Service Engineer – * August 2010 – December 2010
You don't seem to mention who the employer was? - It has been redacted
- Responsible for installation, trouble shooting and decommissioning of EPOS systems
- Remotely assisted clients with hardware and software issues
- Diagnosed and repaired faulty equipment
- In house set up of EPOS systems prior to installation
A few points to start with
I thought it may be easier to upload screenshots.
Going back through my CV it was very 'wordy' previously. Your suggested changes have cleared it up quite a lot, thank you.
Stevenj214 said:
I appreciate the formatting isn't making it easy, but at first glance it is very wordy and difficult to pick out exactly what you have done previously and what your strengths are. Your education, which you know is not the best, should not be one of the first things to be seen. Move it to after your employment history.
In place of the synopsis I would have a personal statement along the lines of
"I am an experienced field service technician with specialist knowledge of Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems. I am a dependable and hard working technician, able to work independently and manage my own workload efficiently. I am looking for a position where I can utilise my skills and previous experience to become a reliable member of your field service team"
Things like full driving license and references available on request should be at the very end.
Your professional training and qualifications seem to be old and possibly out of date. I don't think your 2007 first aid certificate will still be valid?
For your work experience:
1) Your most recent job is written in present tense even though it finished in December (plus, didn't you say you have been out of work for 8 months?)
2) Instead of writing a paragraph for each position, use bullet points to tell what you did and what you achieved. i.e:
Field Service Engineer – * August 2010 – December 2010
You don't seem to mention who the employer was?
A few points to start with
He's redacted the employer as described in a previous post. That aside I agree with all your other points. In my previous position I regularly vetted the incoming CVs and those with bullet-points were always more favourably looked on.In place of the synopsis I would have a personal statement along the lines of
"I am an experienced field service technician with specialist knowledge of Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems. I am a dependable and hard working technician, able to work independently and manage my own workload efficiently. I am looking for a position where I can utilise my skills and previous experience to become a reliable member of your field service team"
Things like full driving license and references available on request should be at the very end.
Your professional training and qualifications seem to be old and possibly out of date. I don't think your 2007 first aid certificate will still be valid?
For your work experience:
1) Your most recent job is written in present tense even though it finished in December (plus, didn't you say you have been out of work for 8 months?)
2) Instead of writing a paragraph for each position, use bullet points to tell what you did and what you achieved. i.e:
Field Service Engineer – * August 2010 – December 2010
You don't seem to mention who the employer was?
- Responsible for installation, trouble shooting and decommissioning of EPOS systems
- Remotely assisted clients with hardware and software issues
- Diagnosed and repaired faulty equipment
- In house set up of EPOS systems prior to installation
A few points to start with
YesItsARover said:
Edited to add a couple of comments in bold.
I thought it may be easier to upload screenshots.
Going back through my CV it was very 'wordy' previously. Your suggested changes have cleared it up quite a lot, thank you.
That's quite good. Just one thing; did your previous employers ever put you through training that you didn't get a certificate for? For example, using a certain piece of test equipment. Most companies do, mine certainly all have, and because of that the last bullet point after certs is always: "Various - vocational training".I thought it may be easier to upload screenshots.
Going back through my CV it was very 'wordy' previously. Your suggested changes have cleared it up quite a lot, thank you.
Edit: also, if you get to the point where places to write to are becoming thin on the ground don't be afraid to send a CV off again to people you've already contacted.
Another thing I used to like to see was willingness to relocate for a job, (if possible).
Edited by Dixie68 on Sunday 6th March 16:14
YesItsARover said:
Edited to add a couple of comments in bold.
I thought it may be easier to upload screenshots.
Going back through my CV it was very 'wordy' previously. Your suggested changes have cleared it up quite a lot, thank you.
Looking much better.I thought it may be easier to upload screenshots.
Going back through my CV it was very 'wordy' previously. Your suggested changes have cleared it up quite a lot, thank you.
Some good points from others too (especially on consistent formatting).
Some of your bullet points should be re-written. For example "Expected to conduct reactive maintenance of the systems" should simply be "Conducted reactive maintenance of the systems" or possibly "Minimised customer down time by conducting reactive maintenance of the systems".
Again, for consistency, "To conduct scheduled installations and reactive maintenance" should be "Conducted scheduled installations and reactive maintenance".
In your education section, I would split the college courses up and give a bit of detail:
Electrical Installation Module 2, Engineering College 2005-2006
This college course built on the foundations of Installation Module 1 and increased my knowledge and skills in A, B & C
Electrical Installation Module 1, Engineering College 2001-2002
This college course taught me the basics of X, Y and Z which enabled me to...
I hope this helps. You sound like you have a great attitude so good luck and hopefully you get some more interviews soon.
Looks like I can't help myself.
For your IT skills, think about what is the most important thing your prospective employer is looking for.
Highlight your Network cable installation experience, your network set up experience (excuse my ignorance but I assume each of these use certain programs/protocols? Mention them). Also highlight your EPOS experience and anything else which may be relevant.
I would keep the microsoft office stuff to a final bullet point of "Good working knowledge of various common operating systems and programs including (pick 2 or 3)"
For your IT skills, think about what is the most important thing your prospective employer is looking for.
Highlight your Network cable installation experience, your network set up experience (excuse my ignorance but I assume each of these use certain programs/protocols? Mention them). Also highlight your EPOS experience and anything else which may be relevant.
I would keep the microsoft office stuff to a final bullet point of "Good working knowledge of various common operating systems and programs including (pick 2 or 3)"
Again, thank you for your support and help with this.
With your recommendations;
I hope to land some more interviews as well. Once at the interview stage, I have always seemed to do quite well unless it transpires that the role is quite different from what I had been led to believe.
Recruitment agencies seem to be a necessary evil at the moment. I could have saved many gallons of fuel if the positions had been described accurately!
With your recommendations;
I hope to land some more interviews as well. Once at the interview stage, I have always seemed to do quite well unless it transpires that the role is quite different from what I had been led to believe.
Recruitment agencies seem to be a necessary evil at the moment. I could have saved many gallons of fuel if the positions had been described accurately!
YesItsARover said:
Again, thank you for your support and help with this.
I hope to land some more interviews as well. Once at the interview stage, I have always seemed to do quite well unless it transpires that the role is quite different from what I had been led to believe.
Recruitment agencies seem to be a necessary evil at the moment. I could have saved many gallons of fuel if the positions had been described accurately!
Hey don't let that stop you - the job I do now is several levels above the one I thought I was going for!I hope to land some more interviews as well. Once at the interview stage, I have always seemed to do quite well unless it transpires that the role is quite different from what I had been led to believe.
Recruitment agencies seem to be a necessary evil at the moment. I could have saved many gallons of fuel if the positions had been described accurately!
Dixie68 said:
Hey don't let that stop you - the job I do now is several levels above the one I thought I was going for!
If that was the case then I wouldn't mind! Not being told "You have a 50mile each-way commute to pick your van up every day" can be a deal-breaker when the salary would not cover my personal fuel!Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff