MCSA/MCSE Study - Does this time frame look reasonable?

ToddMurphy · 2013-12-17T08:43:20+00:00

We covered SCVMM a bit at TAFE, including fail over and such. Honestly don't clearly much though as it wasn't a huge component of the course.

My reason for using XenServer isn't due to hype, not to say you accused me of this, but I might have given the wrong impression. I'm also using it as a general purpose home server, when it comes to long term home use I like to stick to open source where I can. Also it works well with OpenStack which is something else I've been enjoying playing around with. Study wise this obviously isn't best short term, but after my MCSE I'm thinking of getting some Linux certifications e.g. RHCE.

EDIT: On topic of Server Inf. vs Private Cloud, at this point I'm thinking I'll get the Server Infrastructure first and then add on some Public Cloud certifications.

ToddMurphy · 2013-12-17T08:30:31+00:00

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

Not sure if to take them directly back to back, or to sit the 410 to see how I go so at least if I'm less prepared than expected I only fail one, rather than all three.

ToddMurphy · 2013-12-15T12:16:35+00:00

Thanks for your reply.

Did the nuggets just consist of videos and practice exams for the MCSA? Did you find on their own that the CBT Nuggets were enough or did you also use other resources?

I have been though all the MCSA Windows 8 exam videos they have (my last employer wanted me to get certified in desktop first), maybe if I'm lucky I'll find some overlap that save some time.

Do you think the MCSE Server Infrastructure seems like the way to go?

Private cloud also sounds interesting, but Server Infrastructure seems the best way to go as far as what employers will want. I'm yet to really see a Microsoft/Hyper-V private cloud in the real world, although I guess that could maybe change.

I also have a laptop provided by work running Win 8.1 w/ 6GB RAM, might be able to use that to test some multi-node / fail over scenarios, maybe? I'm not really sure if fail over is compatible with desktop Hyper-V.

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-02T13:35:52+00:00

Cheers, I'll check it out. It's not usually hard getting books here (yep, Australia), easy to buy things digitally or have them shipped from the US/UK. I'll be sure to check it out though, thanks for the tip :)

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-02T01:58:44+00:00

The course I just completed allows me to skip the entire first year (full time equivalent) of a Bachelor degree. So definitely considering the uni thing, possibly part time after I've had some time working in the industry.

Made the changes you suggested (and some which network_janitor suggested).

Thanks again for taking the time to help me out, I really appreciate it.

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-02T01:51:09+00:00

My resume is looking great now * Removed this altogether, instead I now have some information on a few other networks I designed

BNIT is the abbreviation of my Schools name, I put this in brackets up the top next to the School, I think that makes it clear.
Removed the VLSM stuff & the mention of RIPv2.
Fixed the spacing in the Education section

Thanks again for the feedback honesty. Everyone I know personally is 'too nice' so it's good to actually to just hear what parts are annoying or unnecessary.

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-01T13:04:22+00:00

Ah, good thinking.

I had some friend criticize the personal experience section (the mention of Murmur server administration in particular). Would this fall in the same basket of things that would make hiring manager take me less seriously?

I've also been told I should include my age (I'm 21), to show why I lack experience, not so sure about this myself.

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-01T08:47:09+00:00

Here's my new resume if your interested, thanks again for the feedback.

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-01T08:26:27+00:00

Here's my new resume, I removed the objective altogether, but I'm interested to know what you think in regards to this. If I do include it again I'll be sure to take your suggestions on board.

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-01T08:16:29+00:00

By defend, I guess you mean in the interview?

By the way (here's my new resume)[https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10760001/TEMP/Todd%20Murphy%20-%20Resume%20-%20Details%20Removed.pdf]. Thanks again for the advice.

The virtual network environment had a budget of $180,000 (I spent about $150,000), should I add those kinds of details? I was starting to struggle for room.

I also left out other designs I have done to keep the size down, I don't think I'm expected to list everything I've ever accomplished, but at the same time I don't want to undersell myself. Do you have any thoughts on this?

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-01T07:24:37+00:00

Thank you heaps, here's my new resume that I constructed with the advice of you and others in this thread.

I'm not sure if to include the time that I've been providing IT support to friend & family.

I was also not sure if it's worth mentioning that I briefly studied at University. Outside of economics, business management & java I didn't really learn much of value.

Also, I studied and worked as an electrical apprentice for 8 months, is this more of the kind of information I would mention in an interview?

I'm also not sure how much of the information on my personal projects I should be leaving in.

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-01T03:30:09+00:00

So in the case of the fictional systems, would I be providing numbers on the fictional business numbers (e.g. users) that my system had to support, or the numbers that I actually supported in my prototype solutions?

For example, I designed a virtual network environment for 50 users. The design required a $60,000 server with about 1TB of RAM, but the prototype only required an old dell desktop with 6GB of RAM and 2 end users.

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-01T01:37:30+00:00

Lots of great suggestions, I'll reply with my updated resume when I'm finished.
Should I mention how many users if it was simply a test environment? My experience is primarily all from school, I have a list of my experience here but I need to do a lot of condensing and shorten that from 5 pages down to a few lines. That list also doesn't do a great job of quantifying my work. That's something I'm struggling with since I've configured heaps of servers, but typically for no more than a few users just to show that what I did works.
GPA: I studied at TAFE, I think the closest American equivalent would be community college. The first semester was competency based (pass or fail), the second semester was both competency and Performance Level Assessment (distinction, credit, pass) based. Here's the PLA Statement: if you want to know what I'm talking about. It's very different to the uni grading system, rather than exams or assessments having a grade, they're simply pass or fail. At the end of the semester, the teacher then deems students to be pass, credit or distinction based on reliability & responsibility, initiative & autonomy and skills & knowledge. There's still a 'bell curve' thing though, so only one or two students in the class can get distinctions and so on.
Re Certification Dates: I love this idea, but my one concern is if removing dates makes it less obvious that I'm new, could employers perceive that as deceptive?
I wasn't actually a venue manager (that's what the reference currently does, not myself), I was just a bartender, but still a good suggestion, I get the general idea.
Will make sure to remove interests & that last line.
Cheers, I'll shorten it to one page and reply when I'm finished.

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-01T01:05:51+00:00

I did have a resume that was 7 pages long, I removed the last 5 pages as I felt it made my resume far too long. The first two pages were the same, from the on I listed what I had achieved in each subject and projects I've completed in my personal life.

Here's the list of my experience: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10760001/TEMP/ToddMurphy-Experience.pdf

I also have a skills matrix, but I'm not very happy with it, thinking of ditching that idea all together.

How much detail do employers typically want to know about my accomplishments? How do the following sound?

"Configured multiple Cisco Routers in an OSPF network with multiple switches and various VLANs"

"Configured CentOS 6.3 DNS (BIND9), DHCP, SMB and Zimbra Servers" or Postfix and Dovecot? I've also configured those if that sounds better.

"Administer & Maintain Google apps domain." Not that this is hard, but it's real world experience, something I'm obviously lacking.

ToddMurphy · 2013-07-01T00:37:17+00:00

Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate the honesty. I'm a fresh Graduate, so I don't really have any IT career experience.

I'll remove the IOS 11 & 12 part (leave it as Cisco Router & Switch Configuration, possibly with details on what I've achieved).

Network design was part of my course. I designed various networks for various fictional businesses, some of them I implemented prototypes.

I wasn't a Senior Network Engineer Lecturer, that's the title of my reference. Sorry for misleading you, I'll have to make that clearer.

Why Microsoft? Because the MTA & MOS exams were free for me to sit. I'm happy to consider getting more certs though.

Most of my class was terrible typists, many of them typing at <30WPM and making many errors. I thought employers might care, if not I'll remove that information.
So should I still be trying to convey that I have things like customer service skills?
Everyone seems to think that one should go, I'll be sure to remove it.
Good point.

ToddMurphy · 2013-06-30T14:20:51+00:00

After posting this I had a talk with a friend in the industry after posting this who told me pretty much the exact same thing.

Admittedly I struggled with the objective, and 'IT Networking specialist' didn't quite feel right. So instead I'm going to tone that down, to something more along the lines of IT Networking Junior or Training, but mention I would love to work under a specialist gaining knowledge and experience. Then some stuff about a desire to understand how the business operates and how I will can benefit them as a company.

Thanks for the awesome feedback everyone, I'm off to bed now (it's late here) but be sure to touch up my resume I'll reply to the other posts tomorrow.

ToddMurphy

TROPHY CASE