ICT Technician advice.

[Asomodai]

Hello everyone.

 

This is my first post so please be gentle!

 

I need a little advice!

 

I am currently working as an ICT Technician part time at a secondary school in South Glos/Bristol, I also work in a supermarket (At the same position for 8 and half years) to put me through education and make ends meet. I am also a Sole Trader working as an external ICT consultant to the science consultancy group Marquis & Lord, which is very irregular workwise.

 

I am 25 years old; I have an ICT degree 2nd class with hons (Which I acheived last September) and various related qualifications (HND in computing, ND in Music Technology).

 

My Technicians job is only temporary and I am halfway into a 6 month contract. I have been told there is no chance of going permanent, this is not my fault in anyway but that there just is no funding available to keep me on. I genuinely enjoy the job,I have plenty of initiative and the pupils like and respect me and vice versa.

 

I have applied to various jobs on my managers and fellow office buddies insistence to help me get something more stable before the contract runs out! I am very determined to stay in an ICT Technicians role within a school as I really enjoy it and hope to become a Network Manager one day.

 

Considering my 3 months of experience in an ICT roll, will I still be looking for a junior position or should I consider senior positions as well? Unfortunately I am still far off the magical "2 Years of experience" requirement that most jobs require.

 

Reason I ask is that I have applied for at least 4 ICT Technician positions (In schools) that are very close by to where I live. The job description basically describes what I do in my current position already, but in a full time capacity. I have a decent CV and my applications have been checked over by my manager and he sees no problem in them and that he would be surprised if I didn’t at least get an interview considering...

 

1) I already have experience working in a school.

2) I have already passed the CRB enhanced check.

3) I have more than enough qualification wise.

4) I have shown in my supermarket job that I am very loyal to my employers. (8 1/2 years in the same position)

5) I would get a glowing reference.

 

However I haven’t even been asked in for an interview and according to my manager no one has contacted him for a reference, even though in theory I should be perfect for the job.

 

What do you think I may be doing wrong? Is there anything you can suggest to help me? Is my small amount of experience hurting me in this case? (Even though some positions don’t require previous experience).

 

Could it be my degree that is putting employers off? I may be slightly overqualified for the job! However I feel this is the career I want to take and the relatively low wages is not a put off for me.

 

The one thing that I know could work against me is that I did get cautioned for Minor Theft when I was 17 years old and only shows up on the enhanced CRB, I admit this on the criminal disclosure sections in applications.

 

Thanks for reading this post

 

Rob.

Edited April 14, 2011 by Asomodai

[Steve21]

1) I already have experience working in a school.

2) I have already passed the CRB enhanced check.

3) I have more than enough qualification wise.

4) I have shown in my supermarket job that I am very loyal to my employers. (8 1/2 years in the same position)

5) I would get a glowing reference.

 

Hey,and welcome!

 

I've been in your situation over last few months to, and generally this is what I found:

 

1) Experience in school always helps, however you need to remember from their eyes you're changing job after such a short time. Unless you've explained it well, and have a solid reason, could look like jumping/something you're not telling them etc

2) I moved schools recently and they had to do another CRB as they wanted their own checks, so my old CRB meant nothing in that sense

3) I've done my degree, and worked in 1 school for 6 months, when I moved to my current job some of the test questions they did in interview I really struggled on. Simply because it's a totally different setup to all the previous ones I've done. So although degree etc helps, doesn't always mean it teaches all they want you to know.

4) I worked in Wickes before Uni, (not as long as you have), but some interviews I've been at, and certainly recruitment companies basically said outfront that's useless, and means nothing. Has no reference to your applied jobs, or working in that situation.

5) Always a good thing ofc Nothing else to say on that really

 

Not trying to sound mean in any of this, just trying to explain some of the stuff I've found in the past, which as with your thoughts, you wouldn't really expect.

 

In terms of junior vs senior, I'd certainly say stick with junior. Better to fit in and do everything well then progress, than dive in, fail and basically go nowhere if not even worse being fired etc

 

But end of day, stick with it!!! I applied to 70 jobs straight after Uni, and got 2 interviews. Another time I apply to 2, and get 2 interviews. Guess it depends on how many apply, and what the individual is looking for. But certainly, Don't worry if you don't get a reply. Just apply to more.

 

And lastly, good luck!!!

 

Steve

[pcstru]

Most likely you are doing nothing wrong and it's simply a matter of the posts receiving lots of applications from people with more actual experience. When we go through applications we score them against set criteria. We might have 20 applications so we don't set a cut off and interview everyone above that score, we only interview the top 3.

[Asomodai]

Hey,and welcome!

 

I've been in your situation over last few months to, and generally this is what I found:

 

1) Experience in school always helps, however you need to remember from their eyes you're changing job after such a short time. Unless you've explained it well, and have a solid reason, could look like jumping/something you're not telling them etc

2) I moved schools recently and they had to do another CRB as they wanted their own checks, so my old CRB meant nothing in that sense

3) I've done my degree, and worked in 1 school for 6 months, when I moved to my current job some of the test questions they did in interview I really struggled on. Simply because it's a totally different setup to all the previous ones I've done. So although degree etc helps, doesn't always mean it teaches all they want you to know.

4) I worked in Wickes before Uni, (not as long as you have), but some interviews I've been at, and certainly recruitment companies basically said outfront that's useless, and means nothing. Has no reference to your applied jobs, or working in that situation.

5) Always a good thing ofc Nothing else to say on that really

 

Not trying to sound mean in any of this, just trying to explain some of the stuff I've found in the past, which as with your thoughts, you wouldn't really expect.

 

In terms of junior vs senior, I'd certainly say stick with junior. Better to fit in and do everything well then progress, than dive in, fail and basically go nowhere if not even worse being fired etc

 

But end of day, stick with it!!! I applied to 70 jobs straight after Uni, and got 2 interviews. Another time I apply to 2, and get 2 interviews. Guess it depends on how many apply, and what the individual is looking for. But certainly, Don't worry if you don't get a reply. Just apply to more.

 

And lastly, good luck!!!

 

Steve

 

Thank you for your time in replying!

 

1) I have already explained in my applications that I am jumping from one job to another as my current position is only temporary with no view to becoming permanent.

 

2) I would have though that considering its only been a few months since my last CRB it would put the potential employer at ease, that I had passed on a few months ago.

 

3) Even though this is true, I did thoroughly check the personal spec and there was nothing out of place that I hadnt used before.

 

4) Kinda guessed that.

 

Cheers!

 

Most likely you are doing nothing wrong and it's simply a matter of the posts receiving lots of applications from people with more actual experience. When we go through applications we score them against set criteria. We might have 20 applications so we don't set a cut off and interview everyone above that score, we only interview the top 3.

 

For the junior positions I have applied for surely they would have looked at the applicants with better qualifications/experience and think that it was far too basic for them and would probably leave as soon as they found something better?

 

Well I guess I am not surprised. The other theory was that the school potentially already had someone lined up but had to go through the interview process...

 

----------

 

If i didnt manage to get a new position before the end of my contract, should i volunteer to work for free in exchange for the experience? (However i heard that some employers view volunteer work as not to count towards experience at all) I get the feeling if i volunteer that I would cheapen the role as ICT Technician if schools can get away with it.

Edited April 14, 2011 by Asomodai

[aerospacemango]

The one thing that I know could work against me is that I did get cautioned for Minor Theft when I was 17 years old and only shows up on the enhanced CRB, I admit this on the criminal disclosure sections in applications.

 

As long as the conviction is spent, then you don't have anything to worry about.

 

I had a "Possession of Class B Drugs" on mine, and I passed the ECRB! However, I was always upfront and put that on my application form.....Just in case!

 

Didn't stop me getting a job in a college!

 

Keep trying, and make the most of your contract time to learn as much as possible!

 

Good luck!

[Asomodai]

As long as the conviction is spent, then you don't have anything to worry about.

 

I had a "Possession of Class B Drugs" on mine, and I passed the ECRB! However, I was always upfront and put that on my application form.....Just in case!

 

Didn't stop me getting a job in a college!

 

Keep trying, and make the most of your contract time to learn as much as possible!

 

Good luck!

 

Well i am unsure how long ago it would have been spent, it was only a caution and not a conviction, technically it was stripped off my record when I turned 18, 10 months after it happened.

 

Currently reading through an Active Directory book thats heavier then my head!

[pcstru]

e junior positions I have applied for surely they would have looked at the applicants with better qualifications/experience and think that it was far too basic for them and would probably leave as soon as they found something better?

I can't imagine anyone having a criteria for evaluation that reads something like "Too much experience?" so no. Once you have your criteria, you score all applications against that criteria.

Well I guess I am not surprised. The other theory was that the school potentially already had someone lined up but had to go through the interview process...

That would (should) still only count for them in terms of relevant experience. Like applications, interviews should be evaluated against set criteria.

If i didnt manage to get a new position before the end of my contract, should i volunteer to work for free in exchange for the experience? (However i heard that some employers view volunteer work as not to count towards experience at all) I get the feeling if i volunteer that I would cheapen the role as ICT Technician if schools can get away with it.

I personally would take a positive view of voluntary work BUT if the school has a 'proper' evaluation process, then it may count as relevant experience or not depending on what you have been doing and what the job you are applying for requires.

[Rachael]

Could it be my degree that is putting employers off? I may be slightly overqualified for the job! However I feel this is the career I want to take and the relatively low wages is not a put off for me.

 

I don't think it really makes that much difference, I have a 2.1 hons degree in computing and information systems and I started as a ICT technician in Bristol/South last year after leaving uni. The thing is, there is a lot of competition out there right now 50 applicants applied for my position and they interviewed five. The five people that came to the interview (including myself) were all either already working as ICT technicians or had just left uni with a relevant degree like myself.

[maark]

As as been stated there is a lot of competition. If you are not getting interviews then I would get someone to look at your CV and completed application forms to see if there is anything you could improve - sorry not got time to do it myself.

Main thing I have found is make sure you match application directly to what they require in job spec - essential and desirables and give practical examples rather than general statements. Most places will score the applications against the specs and select interviewees that way.

Good Luck.

[El_Nombre]

Asomodai if you want to PM me I'll cast an eye over your CV for you. We just hired an ICT tech here so the interview process is fresh in my mind. In my time as NM I've hired three technicians (even fired one!)

 

Do remember to 'tailor' it for each job and remember to sell yourself! If you have a 'stock' CV you can knock up, email that to yourself/hotmail it or keep it on your phone just incase you're in town and see that perfect job advertised in a window, then you've always got a CV to hand.

 

Should have a minute or two over the coming week so I'll get back to you but it may not be super-quick.

[witch]

I am an ex-headhunter/recruitment consultant and have been an IT tech for the past 11 years - I help quite a few people with their CVs and if you would like me to look over yours, you are welcome to pm me

[jimmy_2k]

Temping is a good way in though it is a shame the school isn't keeping you on. I know Cotham and John Cabot schools were advertising recently for IT Techs

[tom_newton]

Get your CV to some recruitment consultants. They are often pushier than you could ever hope to be, and will force you to the top of the pile in some cases. Costs nowt and will do you no harm.

[witch]

Get your CV to some recruitment consultants. They are often pushier than you could ever hope to be, and will force you to the top of the pile in some cases. Costs nowt and will do you no harm.

 

I agree - you never know who has got the right job for you. Just make sure if they get you an interview that you know EXACTLY what you are going for.

Get a good CV and post it everywhere you can as well - you havent sent it to me yet!

[Asomodai]

I agree - you never know who has got the right job for you. Just make sure if they get you an interview that you know EXACTLY what you are going for.

Get a good CV and post it everywhere you can as well - you havent sent it to me yet!

 

My apologies for not sending the CV out! I havent had a chance to get into school to get my updated one. Easter hols. Will do so soon! Thanks for the offers