Some advice please

[AntJayC]

Hi Guys

 

This is my first post im just looking for abit of advice wit regards to my IT career. I started out in 2010 when I finished my college course a national certificate in ICT level 3 but I had to take a break because of family problems. Since then I have been working in a supermarket to earn the little money I have to pay my bills. I have had nemerous interviews most of those have come in the last few months and in June last year I was offered a servce desk analyst role unfortunatley this role was then retracted as the company was bought and had all of the contracts. I then had another instance where the job was retracted because of my accent and resulted in the IT director asking if anyone could actualy understand me on the phone. Im kind of downhearted as I feel no one is willing to take a chance on me I have some voluntary experience but even that dose not seem to be enough to convince anyone. I have also been told that 24 years old is getting on abit in the IT industry to start my career. I have a real passion for IT and do my own home calls in my local area but it is not regular enough to make it worth while doing full time.

 

I hope you dont mind me posting this but I am just wondering what my next step should be and if I am actualy to old. I know you guys have alot of experience and know what you are talking about rather than speaking to some agencies that just tell you what you want to hear.

 

 

Thanks for your advice. Its really appreciated.

 

Anthony

[Ephelyon]

On the contrary, many people (some of them experienced members and/or mods of this forum) have retrained in later life and joined the profession - you've got plenty of time! =]

 

Out of interest, I'm guessing from your location the accent is Liverpudlian?

[Norphy]

24 is certainly not too old. As long as you have the aptitude and enthusiasm, you're set. All I can suggest is to keep on trying. Out of interest, have you applied to any schools?

 

Secondly, there has to be some kind of law against discriminating against you because of your accent. If you were from overseas and had a foreign accent, they'd never get away with it! If I were you, I'd complain to the company's HR department. It might not get you anywhere but it would at least let them know that there's a problem.

[LiamH]

I found getting your foot in the door is the hardest part about getting an IT job.

 

IT has a bad rap for "technobabble" and a lot of people hiring who don't have the technical skills themselves often think you are blagging your way from my experience. If you can get some volunteer work in a school something might open up for you.

[elsiegee40]

Hello and welcome.

 

Lets start with your age... you can be any age starting in IT. The problem is that often wage expectation increases with age. Are you applying for jobs which match your qualifications and experience... or for ones thst match your salary expectation?

 

You are currently educated to A Level standard with your level 3... this doesn't distinguish you from the vast crowd also looking for posts unfortunately. Your voluntary experience will only help if it's relevant.

 

 

This sounds like I am putting you off, but I am not. However, you may need to pursue further qualifications, perhaps evening classes, in order to give you something else to make you stand out.

 

Make sure your cv/application form accurately represents you... and that it has been properly spell checked and grammar checked. Taylor it each time you apply for a job to make sure that the things the employer is looking for stand out. Make sure you include your experience from home calls on your cv as long as they are relevant to the job you are applying for.

 

Above all, please don't give up hope. The job market has been a nightmare for thr last few years, but there are signs of it starting to pick up. Good luck

[mikecain]

Totally agree with the foot in the door is the hardest part, i had the bits of paper but nobady would give me a chance. I had almost given up and i was a Science Technician(Being a Process Plant Engineer) for 15 years before that, i finally got the break in the school where i was and never looked back. i was 39 when i got my break.

Keep at it mate, you will get lucky.

[hardtailstar]

All of what @elsiegee40 said is what I was going to say.

 

I am 26, I was in same boat as you only having A level standard qualifications, in fact I still do. When I applied for my current job when I was about 22, I only had my college course and 8 months volunteer experience in a secondary school.

 

The school I am at wanted someone with little experience so I could be trained up, well the training never happened formally and I am still here 4 years later.

 

Before that I worked in a diy store and it took me 8 months from when I started IT job hunting.

 

There is lots of free courses on the internet to learn how to do things so have a look and do something to interest you.

 

Also have a look at jobs you are applying for and learn what they want you to be doing on the job.

 

I am currently learning how to program in various languages so that I can move on from his school and move into a software based job.

 

Good Luck and stick around here

Edited January 12, 2015 by hardtailstar

[AntJayC]

Hi guys

Thank you for all your posative comments I am a liverpudlian I have looked at going to College/University but i dont really see any courses that stand out to me I have also looked into the certification options but they seem to cost alot of money. I hadnt really thought of applying to schools to be a technician or volunteering my services to them. I already had some experience working on a service desk voluntarily a few years ago. I have looked into the laws against discrimination but was advise by the agency involved not to as it would be my word against the two interviewers. With regards to the free courses i found a website called coursera and did the python course that was really enjoyable I also found a microsoft one but i cannot remember the link for it.

 

Thanks again for the help Ill definatley stick around .

 

 

Anthony

[Ephelyon]

What would you say your major IT skillsets are, ideally that you can prove / back up?

[AntJayC]

Hi Ephelyon

 

My main skillsets are probably desktop support so trouble shooting hardware and software issues, Installing devices and printers, remote assistance, I do have some experience with laptops, and I also have some knowledge of windows 7,8 and server 2008 and active directory. From working on the service desk I can back up active directory, remote assistance and the hardware and software.

 

Thanks

 

Anthony

[AntJayC]

Hi guys I finnaly managed to land my first role in IT as a 1st line engineer. Thanks for all the support you gave and specialy thanks to ephelyon for all the help you have given. I will be sticking around here.

 

Anthony

[LiamH]

Congratulations!

[bossman]

Well done that man!

@Ephelyon thanks for helping this young man out

[elsiegee40]

Congratulations! I am glad you will be staying around

 

And well done @Ephelyon too

Edited January 30, 2015 by elsiegee40

[Ephelyon]

I've provided virtual servers to play with and a copy of an MCITP book, along with guidance on setting up a domain environment for the first time via Skype... but @AntJayC has done all the real work himself!

[DanTheLacky]

I do love a happy ending ha ha, congratulations.

[Bill8]

This is a real heart warming thread show the love people