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Is it still worth it?


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Guest richard
Posted

I'm back on the job market and have been looking to get back into education as there is no real IT work in the private where I am now.

 

I have applied for several jobs and have had no luck so far not even one interview :confused: I'm beginning to think that this is a just a complete waste of time trying to get back into education or IT for that matter as 7 months out seems to be too long a time away.

Posted

I guess it depends whether or not you get back into education, only to then get knocked back out of education by BSF :)

 

Its still currently as interesting a job choice as its always been, although to be honest, I am looking around myself lately, keeping my options open. Alot of thought lately in my head about whether to stay where I am or move on. As things stand at the moment, I think if I saw the right thing, I would move on.

Posted

I recently got out of education - and must say I'm enjoying the real world alot more.

 

less of the ridiculous ideas/expectations that seem to plague educational establishments

Guest richard
Posted
The problem I am finding is that because I do not have a degree or A levels for that matter my 8 years experience now counts for nothing. I have been told by 2 agencies today that they only put me forward for jobs so that I make the favoured candidate look good.
Posted
The problem I am finding is that because I do not have a degree or A levels for that matter my 8 years experience now counts for nothing.

 

Maybe time to get some qualifications / certifications sorted out? Could you go back to college to get a couple of A-levels (I'm guessing you're under 25 still, so there should be some grants / free study available)? Could you start working towards something like the CompTIA A+ and subsequent qualifications from home?

 

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David Hicks

Guest richard
Posted
Maybe time to get some qualifications / certifications sorted out? Could you go back to college to get a couple of A-levels (I'm guessing you're under 25 still, so there should be some grants / free study available)? Could you start working towards something like the CompTIA A+ and subsequent qualifications from home?

 

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David Hicks

 

No I'm 38 now :(

Posted
Agencies are always a nightmare - typical corporate HR, they tick boxes and don't actually look at experience or potential.
Posted
No I'm 38 now

 

No worries - I have a friend the exact same age who is only now starting a degree. You'd probably find that something like the CompTIA qualifications would suit you:

 

CompTIA A+ Certification

 

It looks like you take the basic exam, then decide on a specialism of some kind. It's the kind of thing you can study from home and just take the exam for, so with suitable experience you can likely just whizz through it in no time.

 

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David Hicks

Posted

I'll ignore the last message

 

If you wanna get me your cv I'll see what we have currently although I don't think we have anything close to ramsgate at the moment, I don't have too much success in kent but you never know

 

We work exclusively in education and they tend to favour schools experience over qualifications, although putting yourself through qualifications not only shows your strength in the topic area but also your desire to develop a career in your chosen industry

 

[email protected] 08701 612 007

Guest richard
Posted
No worries - I have a friend the exact same age who is only now starting a degree. You'd probably find that something like the CompTIA qualifications would suit you:

 

CompTIA A+ Certification

 

It looks like you take the basic exam, then decide on a specialism of some kind. It's the kind of thing you can study from home and just take the exam for, so with suitable experience you can likely just whizz through it in no time.

 

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David Hicks

 

Simple question - How am I supposed to pay for it when on Job Seekers Allowance?

Posted
I'll ignore the last message

 

I more meant general HR / Recruitment agencies than those that specialise in particular professions/industries and actually have a knowledge of what is necessary. ;)

Posted
How am I supposed to pay for it when on Job Seekers Allowance?

 

Probably best to check at the job centre to see if there's any outright grants available to you, but if not then would something like a career development loan be the right kind of thing for you? The minimum loan seems to be £300, which should cover an online CompTIA A+ course and exam nicely.

 

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David Hicks

Guest richard
Posted
Probably best to check at the job centre to see if there's any outright grants available to you, but if not then would something like a career development loan be the right kind of thing for you? The minimum loan seems to be £300, which should cover an online CompTIA A+ course and exam nicely.

 

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David Hicks

 

 

I have been told that I am not eligible for one and that I should just go and download any software I want to learn off the net like everyone else does.... I was even told that I could find fake certificates if I looked hard enough and that no one would know the difference.

Posted
I have been told that I am not eligible for one

 

That's a bit off, you're trying to get yourself qualified, after all. Okay, so maybe do a bit of Googling around, research exactly what qualification you want to do so then you know exactly what resources (how much cash, what equipment) you'll need. Maybe if it's just a case of needing a few bits of PCs to put together then people here can maybe send you any spare bits they'll be chucking out this summer?

 

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David Hicks

Guest richard
Posted
I already have the experience but just lack those stupid bits of paper. I have thought about getting some more kit and setting up a test lab as I only have a my laptop at present. But as I do not really have the space its not a suitable option.
Posted (edited)
I have been told that I am not eligible for one and that I should just go and download any software I want to learn off the net like everyone else does.... I was even told that I could find fake certificates if I looked hard enough and that no one would know the difference

 

eh - Who told you that!? If you have 8 years experience in IT I'm sure you will be able to get a post even without any certifications. Just keep at it. Try applying to schools / companies direct. You only need to find 1 person willing to take a chance. When you have the job and some money coming in then you can do A-Levels / IT certs.

Edited by somabc
Posted

Do you have no qualifications outside school network management? Can you program in any languages at all? Private Sector IT Agencies are great at finding you work as a Java/.net/C++ programmer but thats about it. They are useless at finding infastructure work (sysadmin ITManager etc)

 

check the usual it advert sites and pay attention to non agency adverts and check your council sites and eTeach

Posted
I already have the experience but just lack those stupid bits of paper.

 

Okay, so you have a target to work/save for - around £200 or whatever the fee is to take the exam for . A temporary job over the summer, maybe?

 

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David Hicks

Posted
I have been told by 2 agencies today that they only put me forward for jobs so that I make the favoured candidate look good.

 

Jeez I hate outfits like these. Makes me want to scream. Bunch of spottops or whatever!

 

[RANT OVER]

Guest richard
Posted
Okay, so you have a target to work/save for - around £200 or whatever the fee is to take the exam for . A temporary job over the summer, maybe?

 

--

David Hicks

 

What bit don't you get. I CANNOT GET A JOB!!!!!!!!!! I cannot even get one stacking shelves because I'm over qualified. Have been told this by 2 local supermarkets. Sorry But I'm really getting fed up now.

Posted
Have you conisdered removing some of your qualifications? My friend omitted their degree to get a part time pub job. You just have to put up with appearing to be a lifetime Dolite
Posted
What bit don't you get. I CANNOT GET A JOB!!!!!!!!!! I cannot even get one stacking shelves because I'm over qualified. Have been told this by 2 local supermarkets. Sorry But I'm really getting fed up now.

 

I'm sure you know this already but -

 

Always remember you need to tailor your CV to each job. For a Supermarket I would downplay qualifications, technical skills and empathise customer service, timekeeping, teamwork, and so on.

Guest richard
Posted
I'm sure you know this already but -

 

Always remember you need to tailor your CV to each job. For a Supermarket I would downplay qualifications, technical skills and empathise customer service, timekeeping, teamwork, and so on.

 

Been doing that from the start.

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