Not sure what my role should be on a CV (IT)

[Whoop]

I've been with the same company now for 14 years, 12 of them in IT and 10 of them as the sole member of the department, I have no supervisor and I work in my own office yet I am not a manager due to the lack of staff under me, a point I have argued for years as I manage 80+ systems, do not have any supervision and I am also expected to work unpaid overtime as required.

The company has ~75 employees and ticks along quite happily but I'm concerned for my long term future if the current owner decides to retire as they are older than I am. As it stands there is no progression here and I don't want to end up struggling when I'm 50+ if they sell up and move on.

I'm 41 years old and my job description currently is 'all duties related to IT' as they don't understand the role so basically anything involving technology or data and I have no idea what I can put in a CV so that I reach the interview stage (my current title is IT Controller but that isn't really what I do at all).

I made a list of everything that I do and it's so wide it just looks like a wall of text and I don't know how to make a core description when I do everything from first to third line support, sysadmin (Windows and Linux), all the infrastructure, all the data extraction and manipulation (Access/SQL/Crystal), I deal with Intrastat and Customs, General Ledger balances and I have overall responsibility for our annual stock-takes and auditor reports. I do all the project management, ERP maintenance and investigate and resolve any queries that we have on margin/turnover. I'm even a key holder in the event the fire alarm goes off in the night with no reward (I just live closer than other people).

The list goes on and on and I'm a bit stuck. We've been using the same ERP system since a few weeks after I started at the company and I know the back office to a level far past the role I am doing but I don't know if I can list that as a skill?

I looked at a lot of job descriptions on Google for varying IT roles and it gave me some more ideas but it's still too much to condense, does anyone have any advice?

Just to add, I like working here and I'm incredibly loyal to the business but my concerns are just getting glossed over and I'm losing motivation with business changes. I don't expect to get into some massive corporation but I would like to find a role that offers more long term stability and a possibility for progression before it's too late.

Thanks.

 

[dowie]

Job title changes are cheap retention tools at times, given that there are no other IT staff I'm a bit surprised that they're funny about not giving you a vanity title like "IT Manager" - I mean at face value there shouldn't be any internal politics about it if you're pretty much self sufficient. Org charts/job titles do sometimes open up a whole minefield of politics/egos etc.. but for you it should be a fairly simple and inoffensive change to keep you happy. There are plenty of people out there with the title "PR Manager" or "Marketing Manager" who don't manage any employees. Granted you want the job title in order to make yourself look better for a move but still...

Having said that I'd not worry about it too much, the more important thing is what you are able to do. "IT controller" doesn't seem too unreasonable, you do indeed seem to handle all things IT. I'd just emphasise on the CV that you manage all the IT for the company, lay out the responsibilities you have and your skillset, don't be shy about it it is there to market yourself.

I don't see why you can't get into some massive corporation, just because someone works for a big company doesn't imply that they're great at their job, if anything perhaps you've got a broader range of skills from having to manage just about everything. Frankly if you see something that you reasonable believe you could do (in fact you don't necessarily need to match all requirements for most jobs aside from specific skills they're stating are a must) then just go for it.

 

[A2Z]

I don't think the title really matters that much, IT Controller sounds reasonable as mentioned, it's only 1 line on a CV.

More important is the list of skills/responsibilities/achievements ie. what you actually do.

 

[Whoop]

Agreed and thanks everyone, the title thing is more about the lack of progression at the company I am currently with and my options for moving, it's not about ego so hopefully it doesn't come across that way.

A title does reflect a certain pay grade though, so as long as I can be held back on annual pay rises they will continue to do so. A quick salary search will tell them I am only entitled to xxxx in my current 'role'.

That said, I've done it the job that long and have no real job description so does anyone have some bullet points I can use that cover 'everything' without sounding like nothing? (if you get me)

I don't want to over detail but I'm not sure what would attract people to keep reading?

Thanks.

 

[Sparky__H]

Don't try to cover everything just get the important stuff onto your CV and leave the fine detail to the interview.

Don't think you need to get your CV right first time. I think I went though about 10 drafts before I was happy.

Get it all down on paper then start to tidy it up and trim it down.

Well done for looking for something else! It sounds like you are in a one way abusive relationship with your employer....

 

[Lopéz]

I have a similar challenge - my job title is quite frankly hilarious, and would mean nothing to anyone outside the company. In fact, it means nothing to anyone inside the company either, so on LinkedIn I just go with "Salesforce project implementation specialist" because that is exactly what I do.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

80+ I used to manage 1000 with only two of us and a server team. Post your CV If you would like us too look over it. Remove personal details though.

I know someone who was in the same position as you. He studied for his CCNA/CCNP then his CCIE and passed them all. Took advantage while he had the time. Even used their equipment to study while doing his day to day tasks.

 

[HangTime]

I can only imagine the majority of systems didn't really need managing as I can't fathom having two people managing 1000 of them, that's less than 20mins per system per month on average even if you literally did nothing else but manage them (no admin, timesheeting, HR stuff, general emails etc). I guess you must be counting user desktops individually in that?

As for the OP, I'd just decide what sort of roles you want to target and tailor your CV accordingly. Make sure you go in strong with the first 4-5 bullets or so demonstrating senior leadership experience rather than some basic task list that junior admin people do.

You might find yourself in the annoying catch-22 situation of not having any IT staff meaning that people assume what you are doing can't be all that big a deal i.e. were you to list out all the stuff you are responsible for, people will struggle to believe that it is possible for you to do it all yourself, so you must be exaggerating.
I've hired similar 'one man band' people before because it indicates the ability to be a self-starter, but equally implies little experience in delegation, man management, or even general experience operating as part of a team etc, so it depends on the role.

 

[OspreyO]

I've been with the same company now for 14 years, 12 of them in IT and 10 of them as the sole member of the department, I have no supervisor and I work in my own office yet I am not a manager due to the lack of staff under me, a point I have argued for years as I manage 80+ systems, do not have any supervision and I am also expected to work unpaid overtime as required....

What you describe is an IT Manager. The Manager of the IT systems of a company.
https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/information_technology_it_manager.html
Its very common role. Anyone in IT would know what you do. Typical one man band.

You are not a manager of people though, and you don't have experience of working on team projects.

 

[Resistance]

I would put IT Manager over seeing 80+ systems or head of the IT department whatever way you want to put it

 

[dowie]

I'd be hesitant to make up a job title, especially if it is something that he's asked for already within the company and it hasn't be agreed. Job title and start and end dates are the standard things you'd almost certainly have confirmed in any reference.

I don't see why he can't list the official job title and then in the description immediately adjacent to or below it simply emphasise that he is responsible for managing XYZ/all the IT etc...

 

[Deleted member 77746]

I can only imagine the majority of systems didn't really need managing as I can't fathom having two people managing 1000 of them, that's less than 20mins per system per month on average even if you literally did nothing else but manage them (no admin, timesheeting, HR stuff, general emails etc). I guess you must be counting user desktops individually in that?

Yes, they needed managing. It was more project management really as it was a brand new network that actually worked, all the machines where the same model/make.

We used SCCM to roll out the system images and a couple rooms of 80 PCs could be imaged in an hour that included all core apps. They where all on site systems too. If we wanted to image a room we would just right click an OU (forgot what it’s called in sccm now) and click w custom command called re-image room. This was fantastic! As soon as the systems where rebooted they would image on their own and within an hour back to the login screen.

I won’t ever get that opertunity again for something to be so perfect. The users could attend training sessions and we very rarely got asked questions.

OP post your CV let’s see it.