The CISSP certification - Certified Information Systems Security Professional - is among the highest paid of the technology certifications. With concerns about internet security and personal identification theft at all time highs, its no surprise that those involved in protecting the security of our information are so well paid. The certification is administered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium and involves intense testing and background information screening.

Other well-paid certifications:

• PMP - Project Management Professional
• Cisco CCIE, Routing and Switching
• MCSD - Microsoft Certified Solution Developer

I think I may make this a weekly feature. I am sometimes (often?) amazed at what people put on their resumes.

Let's review for a moment, resume writing basics. Your resume is a sales tool. It is meant to generate interest in you as a potential employee. If I am reading your resume I should think "hmmm, Joe has all the skills I am looking for. In addition, his resume is well written, its easy to read, and I would like to learn more about his past projects. I think I will call Joe or send him an email to schedule a time for us to chat."

I would like to present an example of something I read on a resume today. I am not posting this to embarass anyone, and I desperately hope this resume author is not a reader! I truly think that sometimes we put things in writing that sounded cute in our head, but can be off-putting to the reader. Here is the example. At the end of the description of their current job, this person added the following paragraph:

I have been here over two years. I only need another month or so to make this my second longest job. The work is good, the boss likes what I do and I am making an impact with my peers and junior colleagues. But there are issues afoot that suggest it may soon be time to move on. Aren't there always?

When I read this, two thoughts immediately come to mind. First, if two years is your longest job stint, why? Are you someone who is never happy with your employment? Are you usually fired after a year or so? And why would you call attention to this fact? Second, the "issues afoot" comment sounds a little scary. No, there aren't always issues afoot. Or at least, there shouldn't be. If there are always issues afoot, perhaps it's something personal.

Think in terms of the employers viewpoint: why would I spend time, energy, and a lot of money to bring someone on board that won't stay for two years and sounds like he always has issues?

More reading:

• Job Search Sites
• Cover Letters
• Guide for New Grads

I have been checking out a new job referral site, called BlueChipExpert. Its an interesting combination of LinkedIn, social networking, and job placement agency. You can find jobs on there, refer friends, invite them to join the website and earn fees as well, all at the same time. I am still checking it out, so if you use the site, or have used it in the past, please email me or leave a comment to let me know what your experience is. Enjoy!

It is becoming increasingly common for employers to check out MySpace, Facebook and personal web sites or blogs to get information about a potential new hire. Like it or not, if the information is out there in a public forum, your reputation, and whether you get a job offer, may hinge on what can be found about you online.

CollegeGrad.com has some advice for new grads that is worth looking over. Make sure the information that can be found about you shows you in the best light possible. If its not information you would want your parents, your future boss, or your future co-workers to see, consider removing it.

Other information for new grads:

• Entry Level Job Center
• New Job Listings
• Popular Career Skills - for the technology industry.

Congratulations to the graduates of 2008! Even though the economy as a whole is on a downturn, the technology industry is booming right now, and starting a career in this field can be an exciting pursuit.

While there are thousands of openings out there for technology workers at all levels, it is still imperative that you present yourself professionally, with a well written cover letter, resume and professional interview presentation.

Here are some Entry Level Career Services to get you started:

• Entry Level Job Boards
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Sample Resume
• Interview Tips

LinkedIn has been a popular site for networking for awhile now. Think of it as facebook or myspace for business professionals. LinkedIn has also had job postings for some time. So what's new? LinkedIn has recently added a bunch of new features aimed at recruiters, along with recrutiing packages for some of the larger employers. They continue to be one of my top research sites for finding high-caliber potential candidates!

What does that mean for you? The best time to start building your network, via LinkedIn and via more traditional means, is now! Networking is an ongoing process, and your network builds over time. Having it in place before you need it is the best plan of action.

Other favorite online job search tools:

• Craigslist
• Women in Technology
• Monster

Happy Job Hunting!!

We all need occasional resume tips - it's always handy to keep your resume up to date! One of the most common questions I get from job seekers is - how do I write a resume? What do I put on there, and what should I leave off? This can be especially difficult for techies, where the temptation is to list every single project you have ever worked on. Remember, the goal of your resume is to get an interview, so there should be just enough information on there to make a recruiter or hiring manager want to pick up the phone and learn more about you.

Other technical job searching information:

• Cover Letters
• How to Use Job Boards
• Salary Calculators

The MCAD - Microsoft Certified Application Developer is one of the most popular certifications that I see on resumes these days. The popularity of Microsoft's .NET platform adds to the demand for these hot skiils. The MCAD certification made this year's list of highest paying certifications, with a national average annual salary of $79,444.

Other high paying Microsoft Certifications:

• Microsoft MCITP
• Microsoft MCSD
• Microsoft MCDBA

Whether you are interviewing for a new position, thinking about making a career change, or cruising along in your current career, it pays to stay on top of industry news. Industry publications keep you up to date on what technologies are hot, who's who in the industry, and other important trends. They also let you know about relevant job fairs and often list specific openings that are relevant to your interests.

More information for your job search:

• Best Job Boards
• Resume Tips
• Cover Letters for Techies

Another of the high paying certifications available for tech careers is Microsoft's MCSD - Microsoft Certified Solution Developer. This ia an advanced level certification, for techies that have extensive .NET development experience. Its a very popular certification, and the payoff for the investment in thsi certification is a higher salary (national average is $84,500) and a skill set that is in high demand in this crazy economy!

Also of interest:

• C# Programming
• Highest Paying Technical Certifications
• Microsoft company profile