Stuck in an IT career rut - how to escape?

[Emeye]

After almost 3 years in a "stop gap" job as a Senior IT Systems Analyst for a local Retailer I'm struggling to get my career back on track. I was thinking of doing a VMware course at my own expense as this seems to be the technology of the moment, but is it the right thing to do?

I wonder if being based in Manchester may limit my career opportunities?

Just over 3 years ago I was earning a decent wage as a Technical Project Manager (with Prince2 foundation qualification) for a large Retail Solutions provided with 12 years experience as a Wintel Systems Engineer.

In the middle of 2008 the st was hitting the fan so I took voluntary redundancy whilst a decent package with 10 years service was on offer - this turned out to be a good move.

I've had a few interviews that have been split between Technical Presales, System Engineering, IT Manager and PM roles but I seem to be struggling to close due to my very varied previous role and possibly me lack of exposure to the latest technologies.

Any suggestions what I should be doing - my interviews go well, but I don't get as many phone calls as I used to off recruitment consultants or when I apply for jobs through Jobsite etc.

I am/was very successful in my current and previous System Engineering and PM roles so I know I could be a very valuable asset for a new company, but I just need to convince them!

[eliot]

The VCP courses are quite good and take you through everything. But be prepared for probably a brain overload - a good VMware professional needs to understand storage area networks (SANs) along with good network/switch skills. The well paid VCP's are the ones that can do all three things without blinking.
Good luck.

[Zaxxon]

Vmware, Xenapps and SAN are all good things to have on your CV at the moment.
PM experience is very good as well. There are a few PM roles around in Thames Valley at the moment.
How is your AD and GPO experience? That will always be required. But you may need to relocate.
But a Vmware course is a very good idea if you can fund it, or you could go contracting on a job that involves a bit of VMWare and learn in real time for 3 to 6 months. It's not rocket science, you just need to think of certain aspects before acting.

[prg123]

How many years PM experience have you got? If it was me and you have a good few years I would concentrate on getting PM contractor roles.

Technology in the area you are interested is changing a lot, but the PM methodologies are pretty much the same as they always were.

I decided to go down the DBA, business inteligence reporting area as this technical area also hasn't changed that much over the years.

Just my 2p worth ..... Good luck

pete

[CzechItOut]

You don't say what area you want to move into, Technical Presales, System Engineering, IT Manager and Project Management are pretty varied fields.

If you would like to pursue the PM route have you considered getting PRINCE2 practioner - or if you'd prefer the more general IT manager route what about doing some kind of ITIL qualification?

I would have thought (although it's not my area) that a VMware course will be aimed at a pretty hands on type employee?

[Emeye]

CzechItOut said:

You don't say what area you want to move into, Technical Presales, System Engineering, IT Manager and Project Management are pretty varied fields.

If you would like to pursue the PM route have you considered getting PRINCE2 practioner - or if you'd prefer the more general IT manager route what about doing some kind of ITIL qualification?

I would have thought (although it's not my area) that a VMware course will be aimed at a pretty hands on type employee?

Maybe this is part of the problem, I've always been a bit of an all-rounder - I'd like to go down the management route but still be able to keep my toe in technically.