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Ok, some more input needed. This post will be very long and when I say this you know it's true.

Basically, I want to take my current lackluster resume and break the one page barrier because I don't feel it really emphasizes my strengths, but my main concerns are:

1. I have a lot of gaps in my employment, especially as you go further back
2. I have decent job experience but it's in a bunch of short jobs.
3. I have decent experience but some jobs are a long time ago but could be relevant.

THIS IS MY CURRENT RESUME (formatting removed)

(Contact info)

Summary:

Highly skilled individual for technical and administrative support

Hard (Technical) Skills:

- Knowledge of audio/visual equipment including event setup for meetings and conferences.
- Expert knowledge of IBM PCs, Macintosh PCs, printers, and related equipment
- Advanced experience with the use of the Microsoft Office suite of products

Soft (People) Skills:

- Extensive experience in technical support
- Extensive experience in working with diverse user populations
- Excellent professional written and oral communication skills

Primary Experience:

Some University (Temporary Employment Services), Pittsburgh, PA (2006-present)

Videoconferencing support technician, Tepper MBA FlexMode program (6 months)

- provided technical support of distance learning videoconferencing
- assisted instructors in preparation for classes
- maintained equipment and reported issues to appropriate staff

Event support audio/visual technician, University Center special events (6 months)

- assisted in setup and tear down of audio/visual equipment for conferences and events
- provided live support during events as requested
- instructed users in the operation of equipment when needed

Data entry clerk, Undergraduate Admissions (6 months)

- provided general office support for busy admissions office during peak period
- entered data in order to process incoming mail for filing purposes
- used office equipment as needed in order to assist staff members

A Staffing Firm, Selinsgrove, PA (2005-2006)

Individual software trainer

- provided live one-on-one software support for medical staff in a hospital setting
- assisted users with other general hardware and software concerns
- reported system difficulties to appropriate staff for follow-up and correction

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy/Social Science - Bloomsburg University


============================================

THIS IS AN OLDER MORE COMPLETE RESUME (formatting removed)


(contact info)

Summary:

Highly skilled individual for administrative/clerical/technical support

Hard (technical) skills:
-Expert knowledge of IBM PC's, Macintosh PC's, printers, and related equipment
- Advanced knowledge with the use of the Microsoft Office suite of products
-Advanced knowledge of internet software for browsing, email, ftp, etc.

Soft (people) skills:
- Extensive experience is helpdesk and computer technical support

- Extensive experience in working with diverse user populations
- Excellent professional written and oral communication skills

Primary experience:

Staffing Company A (2005-2006)
Shadower (Individual software technical support)
- Provided live one-on-one software support for medical staff in a hospital setting
- Assisted users with other general hardware and software concerns
- Reported system difficulties to appropriate staff for follow-up and correction.

Medical Center (1999-2001)
Data Center Facilitator (Computer Mainframe Operator)
- Operated computer systems and data center related equipment
- Submitted, analyzed, and monitored scheduled mainframe jobs
- Printed, formatted, verified, bundled, sorted, and distributed hard copy output

University Library (1993-1995, 1998-1999)
Student Computer Lab Assistant Supervisor (Computer helpdesk)
- Assisted users in the operation of IBM and Apple Macintosh computer equipment
- Provided technical support to diverse user community at public university lab
Installed, updated, and maintained software and hardware as directed

Other experience:

Staffing Company B - Clerk (Data entry/customer service) 2006
Government Agency - Caseworker 2004
Staffing Company B - Data entry 2003

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy/Social Science

====================================

Here's on overview of my employment...

UNEMPLOYED
9-5-2008 through now. Note that I did have a few assignments with the temp services but nothing longer than two week so I haven't listed them. I am extremely worried about the length of this gap.

University A - temp services
Personnel (bldg mgr asst) – 3/24/08 through 9/4/08
Distance learning (A/V) tech – 8/30/07 through 3/20/08
Univ. Events (A/V tech) – 5/4/07 through 8/31/07
Admissions (data entry) – 12/7/06 through 3/30/07
(summary Dec-2006 through Sep 2008
I am on layoff from here in good standing. I really loved the A/V stuff.

UNEMPLOYED
9-06 through 11-06 I'm not worried about this gap.

Staffing Agency A
Data entry/customer support 4-2006 through 8-06
I quit because I moved a couple hundred miles. Good standing. I liked the customer service part.

Staffing Agency B
Software support (hospital) 7-05 through 4-06
Laid off for program shutdown. Good standing. I liked working with people to help them learn.

UNEMPLOYED
8-04 through 6-06. I am extremely concerned with this gap. Please note I was taking classes for paralegal studies. I loved the courses in law, but the amount of responsibility combined with the low pay caused me to eventually drop out in June 2005.

University B
Computer mainframe operator 6-04 through 7-04
Fired for incompetence, unemployment not challenged. I do not list this particular job. I hated this job.

Government Agency
Caseworker 1-04 through 5-04
Quit because of the stress level. Fair standing. I hated the bureaucracy and the horrible work attitudes coworkers had.

UNEMPLOYED
9-03 (?) through 12-03. I am not concerned about this gap especially since I was in school at the time.

Staffing Agency A
Data entry as a bank proof encoder 2-03 (?) through 9-03 (?)
Laid off because of India outsourcing. Good standing. I actually liked this because it was mindless work that let me daydream. My accuracy rate was one of the highest.

Tax preparation firm
Tax preparer. 01-02 through 04-02
Laid off for obvious reasons on April 16th. Good standing. I loved this job because I got to talk to people, teach them how to manage finances and save them money.

UNEMPLOYED
10-01 through 12-02. I was taking classes at the local community college, no declared major. I am worried about this gap.

Hospital A
Computer mainframe operator. 10-99 through 09-01
I quit because it was night shift and it was killing me. Good standing. I liked the physical part of the job but hated running the console and being in charge especially when being stressed out over things breaking. I prefer being the guy behind the scenes.

This is ten years of history but some of my more relevant history is below which I hate to exclude because they were jobs I actually liked.

Computer helpdesk (1993-1995, 1998-1999) It was at a college and is three full years of experience since I worked summers. I really enjoyed the job and helping people plus I have a kickass reference after all these years.

Library page (1988-1990). It was in high school, academic year only. This was probably my favorite job of all time because of helping people and the quiet relaxed environment.
(02-16-2010 02:40 PM)Eddy Wrote: [ -> ]UNEMPLOYED
9-5-2008 through now. Note that I did have a few assignments with the temp services but nothing longer than two week so I haven't listed them. I am extremely worried about the length of this gap.

September 2008 - Present
Name of Temporary Agency, Temporary Employee
Worked various assignments with such companies as ______________

(02-16-2010 02:40 PM)Eddy Wrote: [ -> ]UNEMPLOYED
8-04 through 6-06. I am extremely concerned with this gap. Please note I was taking classes for paralegal studies. I loved the courses in law, but the amount of responsibility combined with the low pay caused me to eventually drop out in June 2005.

2004-2006 FULL-TIME STUDENT, NAME OF SCHOOL
Paralegal Certification Program

(02-16-2010 02:40 PM)Eddy Wrote: [ -> ]UNEMPLOYED
10-01 through 12-02. I was taking classes at the local community college, no declared major. I am worried about this gap.

October 2001 - December 2002
FULL-TIME STUDENT, NAME OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
Liberal arts program
Ok, I finally updated the old resume and it's two pages in 12 point font. Here you go. I'd love feedback on it, good or bad. Be warned, it's a non-traditional format.

(contact info removed)

Summary:

Highly skilled individual for audio/visual, computer, or general office support

Professional Skill Competencies:

General office support – over 5 years
Computer technical support – over 5 years
Computer mainframe operations – 2 years
Library staff support – 2 years
Audio/visual technician – 1 year

Professional Work Environment Overview:

University or college – over 5 years
Hospital or healthcare – 3 years
Small or medium office – over 5 years
Library – 2 years

Hard (Technical) Skills:

- Knowledge of audio/visual equipment for meeting and conference setups
- Expert knowledge of IBM PCs, Macintosh PCs, printers, and related equipment
- Advanced experience with the use of the Microsoft Office suite of products

Soft (People) Skills:

- Extensive experience in technical support
- Experience in working with diverse user populations
- Excellent professional written and oral communication skills







(This document is 2 pages. Contact me immediately if missing a page.)

PAGE TWO STARTS HERE

(contact info removed)

Primary Experience:

Some university (2006-present)

Videoconferencing support technician, MBA program (6 months)
- provided technical support of distance learning videoconferencing
- assisted instructors in preparation for classes
- maintained equipment and reported issues to appropriate staff

Event support audio/visual technician, University special events (6 months)
- assisted in setup and tear down of audio/visual equipment for events
- provided live support during events as requested
- instructed users in the operation of equipment when needed

Data entry clerk, Undergraduate Admissions (6 months)
- provided general office support for busy admissions office during peak period
- entered data in order to process incoming mail for filing purposes
- used office equipment as needed in order to assist staff members

Some Staffing Agency, (2005-2006)

Individual software trainer
- provided live one-on-one software support for medical staff in a hospital setting
- assisted users with other general hardware and software concerns
- reported system difficulties to appropriate staff for follow-up and correction


Educational background:

Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy/Social Science - Some other University







(This document is 2 pages. Contact me immediately if missing a page.)
Looks much better! I think the functional format is working for you given your employment gaps. The Professional Skill Competencies section looks great. You could consider making a two column table and bullet pointing your hard and soft skills so that employers can instantly get an overview of your skills (I would expand these existing lists). Labeling is also good - for example if the position is for a Technical Assistant, you put this (job title) in larger font as a label or heading under your name and contact details. This way you are instantly recognized as being the Technical Assistant they are looking for Wink
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