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[cpjitservices]

I have been through alot of certs, inlcuding Cisco,MS and now I'm doing my degree in IT and Networking, I also have what's called I-Pro Level 3 which means I'm a fully qualified IT Professional at the level 3 standard.

 

However, although I have the right qualifications, I have found that most employers at the moment WILL NOT even give you a sniff of a job unless you have experience.

 

Now it might just be me being stupid but don't you have to get a job to gain experience ? I have even worked voluntary in a large college with sites all over the UK and I was one of the main Teccies that helped run everything, BUT guess what ? I've been for interviews with Schools, Colleges, Local IT comapnies etc etc with the relevant quals and experience BUT because I worked "Voluntary" (because I couldn't find paid work and was doing it whilst doing Cisco & MS) it didn't count as relevant Experience.

 

SO what are people supposed to do nowadays ? Currently I'm seeking work in every sector but because I have IT on my CV and nothing else (Not a great deal else to put on there) other sectors wont employ me either.

 

So I'm at a loss even considered re-locating to no joy. Now I'm contemplating whether it was a total waste of time getting certified!

 

Hows everybody else's experiences gone ?

[riffleman]

Sorry to hear of your difficulties in gaining employment in the sector. Unfortunately, there are too many people like you on the same situation and it's getting worse due to the economic climate.

 

I've recently appointed someone to work with me, and I was astounded at the number of applications we received for the post. An awful lot of them were as qualified as yourself, but had experience, which was a prerequiste for the post. Had it been for a technician, I personally would have looked very favourably on your application, as I believe we all need to start somewhere.

 

Without knowing what posts you've applied for, I would guess that you may be setting your sights a little too high. Don't go looking for the posts that specifically need Cisco or MS qualifications. Look for more junior positions were you can prove your worth, such as school ICT techs. By starting out at a first line post, you will gain experience abs your employer may just realise your worth and help you gain the experience you need. I'm not saying it would be easy to get such a post, but at least it's a start.

 

Good luck in your search!

[cpjitservices]

yeah, your right and tbh the only jobs I've been applying for is just basic IT Tech and IT Support jobs that don't include Cisco or MS Certs, hopefully one day I'll be given a chance.

 

Thanks

[aerospacemango]

cp....Don't give up, as something will come along.

 

I was in much the same situation, 2 years ago, but with less quals. However, I applied for a couple of jobs and got nowhere...started to think I'd made a mistake, as experience seemed to count for EVERYTHING!

 

But then, a network manager took a punt on me. Why? Because he could see that I had enthusiasm.

 

I've been here ever since, and the more I learn, the more my NM knows that he's gonna lose me, one day! BUT, the crucial thing is that he never stops trying to teach me, and help with my studies.

 

Keep trying, don't let the current situation trouble you too much because someone soon WILL take a punt....and be very glad that they did!

[Chris_Cook]

Keep at it. It can take a few years to get where you want to be. Keep going with the voluntary it work, as it will build up your experience. Looking for other work in the mean time is also good, but sell yourself properly - if you give them the impression that your just doing it until you get something better, they probably wont be interested unless its mc donald's. It helps to pick jobs in a field your slightly interested in at least - charity work perhaps. I knew of an IT consulatant who worked as a shelf stacker at sainsbury's because he couldn't find work. Sometimes you wont be able to do what you want, but you have to push yourself to get there.

 

I did some IT qualifications like yours, and have found them useful in teaching how things should be done, but often you need to understand how things are actually done in the real world, hence why they don't always get the respect you would like them to. Thats not to say they are bad, but lots of smart people pass them without having some of the basic IT skills, like using google, being inquisitive, or experimenting and trying things.

 

Do you use the job centre for looking for work? I know when i was looking a few years ago, i didn't think much of it to start with, but there are (or were at least) plenty of good jobs there, and they seemed to have better expectations for someone starting out in a career. Also they can put you in contact with people for CV and interview advice. I would really recommend looking into it if you haven't already. I believe its still all free.

 

One suggestion I got from them was to start your cv with a short list (about 5) of key relevant skills that you have that may not be obvious from your qualifications/work experience. For most jobs, you need to grab the employers attention within the first quarter or half page of you cv. Add the long boring list of jobs and qualifications at the end, put the most relevant info at the start (in this case its probably your training and volentary experience.) You need to be able to back up every thing you put in a job application, or you will look an idiot. Its far, far better to say you dont have some skill but you want to learn than trying to blag it.

 

Also, show off what you learnt on the courses, but in a way that an non IT specialist would understand - match it to the job description. Pick out the key words, as the person sorting through the applications may not understand what skills are transferable. Does your Cisco qualifications mean that you can configure a HP switch for example? A techie would have a better idea about that than the HR dept. You mention I-Pro and being a fully qualified profesional. That would need better explanation. What does level 3 mean? Can you fix computers? Can you find a loop in a network? Can you work miracles? All required skills in schools (especially the last ). I can't think of any it person who would describe themselves as 'fully qualified'. Its all relevant to the job in question though. There is always something new to learn. Thats why I love it so much - I never really know what I'm going to do from one day to the next.

 

With the voluntary stuff, sell what you did, make it clear that you weren't just a tea boy/box-shifter. If you were given responsibility for things then let them know. When someone reads your cv/application they wont have the benefit of your own knowledge of the jobs. Don't just use job titles, use the description. 'IT technician' doesn't say much. 'Undertook maintenance and repairs of 50 PCs' says more about what you really did.

 

Get others to look at your CV, it can be an enlightening experience. If you applied for a job and didn't get it, try to ask why. You might get some interesting answers. Don't take them personally, just try to learn from it. There is plenty of advice for job hunting available both online and offline, even the non-IT stuff is relevant.

Edited December 20, 2010 by Chris_Cook

[Max_Power]

I started out in ICT about 10 years ago as a work experience kid while doing a GNVQ in ICT. Left college as a student and started working there because of the way i performed at work experience. 10 years later im a head of dept.

 

There are always people that are willing to give other people a chance that have unpaid experience. My original boss did with me, and i wouldnt hesitate in employing someone of the same status if the experience was relevant and they had a good reference.

 

Everyone has to start somewhere.

[jcollings]

cp....Don't give up, as something will come along.

 

I was in much the same situation, 2 years ago, but with less quals. However, I applied for a couple of jobs and got nowhere...started to think I'd made a mistake, as experience seemed to count for EVERYTHING!

 

But then, a network manager took a punt on me. Why? Because he could see that I had enthusiasm.

 

I've been here ever since, and the more I learn, the more my NM knows that he's gonna lose me, one day! BUT, the crucial thing is that he never stops trying to teach me, and help with my studies.

 

Keep trying, don't let the current situation trouble you too much because someone soon WILL take a punt....and be very glad that they did!

 

Totally agree. I've taken a punt with many of the staff I have appointed and mostly it's paid off.

 

From my point of view when recruiting I much happier to find someone with the right attitude and enthusiasm for the job. I can teach most people about IT if they want to learn but it's much harder to teach someone people skills and the right attitude.

 

Just show how willing you are and someone will give you the chance.

 

Good luck with the search.

[nicholab]

I would edit down your CV so it makes you look dumb enough for the 1st job on the ladder.

[cpjitservices]

Hi Guys, thanks you have all boosted my confidence. I'm gonna take a look at my CV and see how I can amend it, Hopefully 2011 will bring me some luck and someone will take a punt on me, I'm good at what I do and when I was working at the college for a year I had a lot of responsibility from replacing bulbs in Over head Projectors to putting in new switches and even taken the network from Novell to Vanilla and connecting to our remote sites to fix issues with client machines. So in my own mind I have enough experience, we had sites all over the including Runcorn,Hull,Goole,Harrogate, and a few schools here have joined the network.

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence now I'm going to go and have a look at a few jobs now.

 

Merry Christmas to you all and all the very best for 2011.

[scholarpack]

Have you considered freelance consulting, contracting, or perhaps even starting your own business with the know how you have from various quals? May be worth some thought?