Advice and Knowledge Required
Discussion
Hi Guys
Long time lurker first time poster!
Basically I am in a job at present where I was mislead as to how much I would be getting involved in the ICT side of things.
All that everyone wants me to do is to change printer cartridges, do all the paperwork and to file things away for the teachers.
I have a good knowledge of ICT systems etc and fix computers, set up networks etc in my spare time for friends and colleagues.
The crux of the matter is that I cannot afford to get the qualifications that would help me progress, my work won’t train me and no one will give me a chance to show what I know and how keen I am to improve myself.
I have applied for many jobs over the past year and do get interviews but always lose out no matter what I try it’s all rather disheartening!
Any thoughts gratefully received.
Long time lurker first time poster!
Basically I am in a job at present where I was mislead as to how much I would be getting involved in the ICT side of things.
All that everyone wants me to do is to change printer cartridges, do all the paperwork and to file things away for the teachers.
I have a good knowledge of ICT systems etc and fix computers, set up networks etc in my spare time for friends and colleagues.
The crux of the matter is that I cannot afford to get the qualifications that would help me progress, my work won’t train me and no one will give me a chance to show what I know and how keen I am to improve myself.
I have applied for many jobs over the past year and do get interviews but always lose out no matter what I try it’s all rather disheartening!
Any thoughts gratefully received.
If you can not afford £50 for each Microsoft book and £100 for each Microsoft exam (assuming that MS certs are relevant to you!) then I can only suggest that you target IT service provider companies directly, asking for minimum wage while you do your exams.. I quote myself:
TurricanII said:
Consider whether you want to be a programmer, network person (routers VLANS VPNS ETC) or System Admin. Once you get a job and start doing one of these specific skills it is very hard to be a top notch commercially capable programmer, guru network guy AND expert system admin. It's best to focus on one skill initially.
Also give thought to working in house, on one company's internal helpdesk, or for a 3rd party IT support company.
I am of the opinion that in house is the worst choice because:
For me as and MCSE who passed 18 Microsoft Exams I found the freely available online Microsoft Technet Webcasts were fantastic. You can watch a video of a Microsoft member of staff configuring a computer and explaining why the settings are configured that way. Same goes for other technologies I guess.
when talking to someone in an interview who has x number of test servers at home running trial software, I do think they sound like a gimp, but it does show an important keen interest in IT and helps you learn.
Always get on with the customers you support, whether they are other companies or other internal members of staff. Prioritise and understand their needs and they will love you. If they hate you, then any minor mistake becomes a major problem that they shout about. Always get back to them ASAP.
One thing I should have done was to keep in touch with intelligent/connected people I worked with in 3rd party support companies. Having a good contact base is great for learning of new opportunities.
Finally, think about whether you might end up running your own company. Soak up the experiences you get from any employers, keep an eye on how things are done and any problems. Then you will find it a lot easier staring up yourself one day.
and...Also give thought to working in house, on one company's internal helpdesk, or for a 3rd party IT support company.
I am of the opinion that in house is the worst choice because:
- 3rd party support companies get brought in by the IT Manager to do the good stuff
- Training budgets are tighter
- You stagnate on one set of systems for ages
- They make money by selling your time, which encourages training opportunities and motivates them/you to get out on site doing the job
- You get exposed to the latest software and kit as different customers buy it
- You often get increased access to training copies of software
- You get access to other experienced techies who can give advice and mentor you
- good opportunities to change job and boost your salary with other 3rd party companies - especially if you can bring new clients to the company
For me as and MCSE who passed 18 Microsoft Exams I found the freely available online Microsoft Technet Webcasts were fantastic. You can watch a video of a Microsoft member of staff configuring a computer and explaining why the settings are configured that way. Same goes for other technologies I guess.
when talking to someone in an interview who has x number of test servers at home running trial software, I do think they sound like a gimp, but it does show an important keen interest in IT and helps you learn.
Always get on with the customers you support, whether they are other companies or other internal members of staff. Prioritise and understand their needs and they will love you. If they hate you, then any minor mistake becomes a major problem that they shout about. Always get back to them ASAP.
One thing I should have done was to keep in touch with intelligent/connected people I worked with in 3rd party support companies. Having a good contact base is great for learning of new opportunities.
Finally, think about whether you might end up running your own company. Soak up the experiences you get from any employers, keep an eye on how things are done and any problems. Then you will find it a lot easier staring up yourself one day.
TurricanII said:
...
One other pearler of advice I spotted on PH is as follows: don't apply for jobs. When a job is advertised there is a whole ballache of a process for employers, plus you are one applicant of many.
I would say you look well suited to a software development company who need helpdesk and installation engineers to set up their software and servers for clients. Such a role would possibly expose you to other problems from which you can listen and learn, but working for a software house you would not have to fix those problems and so are not dropped in at the deep end.
Identify as many companies as you can and read their websites. Write a custom cover letter to each. I would address it to the MD for smaller firms and possibly to the support manager for the mid to large firms. I would include some common spiel along the lines of "I understand that advertising a job or paying recruitment agencies, filtering hundreds of C.V.'s and interviewing are costly for a busy company. Having read your website and read about your products on xyz website I feel that I would very much enjoy working on your support team providing the best support to your clients. I include my C.V. for consideration in the event that you may need an additional support person, and would very much like to pop in for an interview at your convenience if appropriate."
I am an employer (albeit small company) and if someone could be bothered to write to me for a job, considering my needs, and saving me the hassle listed above, then I would invite them for a coffee at least (and have done this). But it has only happened a few times in ten years. There have been periods of months where we could do with a support engineer but my co-director and I put it off - and someone taking the above approach would have at least gotten a few months trial. Edited to add - I invite other PH'ers to refine my above advice, it is not perfect!
One other pearler of advice I spotted on PH is as follows: don't apply for jobs. When a job is advertised there is a whole ballache of a process for employers, plus you are one applicant of many.
I would say you look well suited to a software development company who need helpdesk and installation engineers to set up their software and servers for clients. Such a role would possibly expose you to other problems from which you can listen and learn, but working for a software house you would not have to fix those problems and so are not dropped in at the deep end.
Identify as many companies as you can and read their websites. Write a custom cover letter to each. I would address it to the MD for smaller firms and possibly to the support manager for the mid to large firms. I would include some common spiel along the lines of "I understand that advertising a job or paying recruitment agencies, filtering hundreds of C.V.'s and interviewing are costly for a busy company. Having read your website and read about your products on xyz website I feel that I would very much enjoy working on your support team providing the best support to your clients. I include my C.V. for consideration in the event that you may need an additional support person, and would very much like to pop in for an interview at your convenience if appropriate."
I am an employer (albeit small company) and if someone could be bothered to write to me for a job, considering my needs, and saving me the hassle listed above, then I would invite them for a coffee at least (and have done this). But it has only happened a few times in ten years. There have been periods of months where we could do with a support engineer but my co-director and I put it off - and someone taking the above approach would have at least gotten a few months trial. Edited to add - I invite other PH'ers to refine my above advice, it is not perfect!
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff