Resume - submitted for constructive advice

[offroadjoe]

Hello all, I'm new here and trying to work my way into the field. I am taking my time submitting resume and applications, doing research on the companies before I apply and attempting to get all my ducks in a row before applying. I am trying to avoid ending up with a bad company. I know a couple of local north Texas companies have a bad reputation for replacing all the expensive parts when a capacitor would have fixed the unit, don't want to be involved in that. I would prefer to get on with a good, established commercial/industrial company and work there until I am ready to retire.
I have been on a few interviews but had no luck. The residential places I have applied have been so ultra busy, having to replace entire units in the midst of this very hot summer, that they are only hiring experienced techs. I totally understand that, I would just make their long, hot days even longer trying to learn and ask questions. The one industrial place I got an interview was great, interview seemed to go well, but I haven't heard anything back from them. I figured I would post my resume here (with a few names and numbers changed to protect the innocent) to see if there may be something I could change to make myself really stand out and get a good job somewhere. Any constructive advice would be appreciated, thank you.




Joe N. Worley
Address, Springtown, TX 76082 817-657-XXXX email add.

Objective
To secure a position with a well established, stable organization that will lead to a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship.


Education
Lindsey-Cooper School of Refrigeration:
Licensed A/C Technician (Lic. #39698), Universal EPA Refrigerant Certification

Experience
New River Fellowship Feb. 2009 - Present
Facilities Maintenance Technician - Tear down and set up for events and services, minor facility repairs, securing the building nightly, cleaning.
3252 E I-20 Hudson Oaks, TX. 76087 817.341.XXXX

Fluid Service Technologies Feb. 2009 - Present
Coolant Technician - Use of a variety of tools and equipment to assure customers satisfaction in the area of coolants and other fluids in their manufacturing processes, continual work independent of any supervision, extensive paperwork and record keeping, customer service.
2911 Rusk Houston, TX 77003 713.417.XXXX

Pool Water Products April 2007- Oct. 2008
Warehouse Manager - Inventory tracking and maintenance, order pulling and preparation, daily and quarterly inventory checks, use of various UPS and LTL software for shipping, receiving and inventory records, routine maintenance on equipment used, loading and delivering of products to local customers, customer service, stock order creation, forklift.
7417 White Hall St. Richland Hills, TX. 76118 817.284.XXXX

Self-employed May 2004- May 2007
Handyman - Use of a variety of hand and power tools, light carpentry, light plumbing, light electrical, custom woodworking, landscape maintenance, building maintenance, cleaning.


References
Terry & 817.237.XXXX Sobrante Film Acc.
Caris 817.237.XXXX Lightcather Winery

James 817.528.XXXX LG Electronics

Alana 817.680.XXXX Industrial Door Supply

David 817.624.XXXX American Light

Becky 817.335.XXXX Majestic Liquor

[LA1]

This looks good.

Usually, I put references available upon request because its hard to get a resume down to one page.

You might consider a skills section, i.e. installation of AC's, brazing, troubleshooting, etc

Also, do you speak any foreign languages? If you speak at least a little Spanish, I would put that down i.e. some conversational Spanish, or basic Spanish skills..... I think Spanish skills would be good in your area?

[aruddick]

The resume looks fine. Looks just like the rest of them! Please do not take offense to that.

The way to get hired is to know somebody who works where you want to work. Find out who is in charge and show up and ask for 5 minutes of his time either then or schedule. then you have 1 shot to impress and stand out. Look different, act different and ask for a chance.

It is not what you know as much as who you know.

Also DO NOT try to impress with technicall jargon. We expect a green horn to be that. Impress with your willingness to do more, try harder and give all you can!

Best of luck.... not luck, effort

[2sac]

In my area if you want commercial employment, you're not going to get a good job right out of tech school. You will start out as a driver, possibly a helper or, if your lucky, a coil cleaner. My advice to you, if and when you get hired, show up for work, ask questions, don't complain, show enthusiasm, and help out the journeymen. If someone asks you to do something, do it.

[tstcstu]

take the ICE test to add to your resume then later after you get experience take the NATE.

[offroadjoe]

@LA1 - That's a good thought. I'll drop the references and add a skills section. I wish I did know some Spanish, it would help. I plan to learn once I can afford a class or get Rosetta Stone.

@aruddick - No offense taken, I understand. Thanks for the tips. I am eager to get in the field and learn, by whatever means necessary.

@2sac - Thanks. That's the kind of work ethic my dad taught me.

@tstcstu - I would like to get more education and certifications but these part time job salaries really limit my ability to pay for the classes. I hope to get into some more classes as soon as I can afford them.

Thanks for the tips. I'm still searching.

[LA1]

As far as Rosetta Stone, you may not need to. My local library has a program similar to RS online that is free if you have a library card. Check yours out.

I hate to direct you down this road, as it is usually low in pay, and has other non-HVAC tasks in addition to HVAC, but look also for maintenance jobs such as schools, hospitals, local governments, property management companies, apartment complexes, etc.

Good Luck.

[slims999]

How was Lindsey-Cooper school? I am thinking of going there.

[Capz]

Hi Joe, what I see is a young man trying to bust into a HVAC company with no experience repairing HVAC equipment or any electrical, mechanical, pressurized equipment.

Most smaller guys are usually busy with day to day operations and the larger company's use HR folks which are hard to reach. I would suggest to go door to door to the smaller guys and push for a conversation with the boss. Try your best to get at least a year with ANY repair company fixing AC's & restaurant equipment. You will learn a great deal your first year. Good luck and try to think outside the box in this economy.

[offroadjoe]

@LA1 - Great thought about the library, I will check that out. I live in a small town but they just recently built a new library and it is very up to date. Thanks for the idea.

I currently work building maintenance, so I know what goes with that, but this church has a contract with an outside company to do the HVAC stuff. I am open to and looking for getting some HVAC experience that way though.

@slims999 - Lindsey-Cooper was great. They teach you the things you need to know, especially on residential units since that is where most of the students are headed after graduation. The teachers have a LOT of experience (my teacher had over 50 years in the field!). They work hard to teach you what you need to know and provide plenty of help to get you through. They don't have a "job placement" program but they do give you a list of local companies that are interested in hiring their graduates after you complete the course. They are very open to coming back in for "refresher" days and are willing to help if they can. Most of the companies on their list are in Dallas or north and east of Dallas so that's why I didn't get much help from it, I'm looking to be no further east than Ft. Worth if possible.

@Capz - I am looking to get into a company doing that work, though I know I will need some time (a year or two)doing grunt work as a helper before I get out there by myself on a big job. I don't expect to walk into a large commercial company and start servicing 500 ton chillers my first week, wouldn't want to. I've just had the problem before of getting a "good" job with a small company and feeling unable to go get a "great" job with a better company. Trying not to make have that problem again. I would like to get on with an established, stable company and stay there until I can retire. I've grown tired of having a new job every two or three years. I have reached the point though that none of the large commercial companies nearby are hiring, so I have no real choice but to start residential and light commercial. That may end up being what I love doing the most though, who knows.

[LosAngelesVV]

resume is good enough.
the trick is finding the right job description with a company that is willing to start you out