How to get into IT? I have been trying for months
Discussion
Hi folks,
A few months ago I posted a thread about trying to get into IT, since then I haven't had any luck and decided to just get a job until I could get back into IT. Or, if I liked my job enough, too forget IT and try my hand at something else. Well, that hasn't happened. All I want is to get into IT, primarily networking, but I would like to start at the bottom, just too get my foot in the door. It is all I think about, day in day out. So recently I have been applying for any end user support position. But I haven’t had any luck, that might be because I have been applying through recruitment agencies (all online).
I can't let this go on anymore; as I want to really push for my career.
This week I came across a website, whereby you can study at home and gain any relevant qualifications in IT. However, they are expensive but I feel like I should be doing something like this too show any employer that I am very keen. So, I'm just wondering, would this be a good idea? I currently have a BTEC National Diploma level 3 in ICT practitioners and have always been playing about with computers.
Any advice would be appreciated. Also, I am based in the South West, but for the right job, I would relocate.
P.B
A few months ago I posted a thread about trying to get into IT, since then I haven't had any luck and decided to just get a job until I could get back into IT. Or, if I liked my job enough, too forget IT and try my hand at something else. Well, that hasn't happened. All I want is to get into IT, primarily networking, but I would like to start at the bottom, just too get my foot in the door. It is all I think about, day in day out. So recently I have been applying for any end user support position. But I haven’t had any luck, that might be because I have been applying through recruitment agencies (all online).
I can't let this go on anymore; as I want to really push for my career.
This week I came across a website, whereby you can study at home and gain any relevant qualifications in IT. However, they are expensive but I feel like I should be doing something like this too show any employer that I am very keen. So, I'm just wondering, would this be a good idea? I currently have a BTEC National Diploma level 3 in ICT practitioners and have always been playing about with computers.
Any advice would be appreciated. Also, I am based in the South West, but for the right job, I would relocate.
P.B
Firstly, good luck I'm sure you'll get there and there isn't a shortage of jobs.
End user support is a good start. Remember you'll need to emphasise your customer service skills just as much as your computer fixing skills for this type of role.
The difficulty is just getting in there and proving you can do it. How about fixing friends/families/acquaintances computers? I assume you have the knowledge already? Do that for a bit and it can go on your CV, bingo you now have experience.
University stuff is both useful and a good indicator to prospective employers that you probably know your mouse from your elbow. But it's by no means compulsory nor necessarily that useful - it depends what you do.
I did a graduate CV sift the other day. The ones that stood out were those that had real-world experience, because they're the ones you know can get on with the job in the real world when you give it to them. You don't want some difficult, thinks he know it all grade A* academic who has only ever worked on his own.
Just my opinions though - get others, then form your own, and go to it.
P.s. Make sure you really want to do it because it's a bloody boring way to pass your life, and not necessarily well paid by any means. People exaggerate their salaries, don't buy into it.
End user support is a good start. Remember you'll need to emphasise your customer service skills just as much as your computer fixing skills for this type of role.
The difficulty is just getting in there and proving you can do it. How about fixing friends/families/acquaintances computers? I assume you have the knowledge already? Do that for a bit and it can go on your CV, bingo you now have experience.
University stuff is both useful and a good indicator to prospective employers that you probably know your mouse from your elbow. But it's by no means compulsory nor necessarily that useful - it depends what you do.
I did a graduate CV sift the other day. The ones that stood out were those that had real-world experience, because they're the ones you know can get on with the job in the real world when you give it to them. You don't want some difficult, thinks he know it all grade A* academic who has only ever worked on his own.
Just my opinions though - get others, then form your own, and go to it.
P.s. Make sure you really want to do it because it's a bloody boring way to pass your life, and not necessarily well paid by any means. People exaggerate their salaries, don't buy into it.
I'd highly advise NOT to do one of these study at home courses. Yes, you'll probably get a good qualification at the end of it but you'll have paid well over the odds for it.
If you want to study something, I'd recommend the CompTIA A+. This is an industry recognised entry level certification. You can easily study it at home yourself by buying a few of the course books and using the numerous online study guides etc. Get the A+ under your belt if I were you.
I'm an IT Field Engineer, and my "only" IT qualification is my level 3 IT NVQ. I've worked for 2-3 different companies over the last 5 years, and at my interviews, nothing has been ever mentioned about my lack of IT qualifications. They are more interested in your actual hands on experience. So the point I'm trying to make is that big fancy IT certifications/qualifications aren't required when you're starting out. There's plenty of time to study for certifications later on in your career.
Rather than applying via agencies, have you tried contacting employers directly?
Forget about the whole networking idea for now. Concentrate in getting your foot in door first and work your way up! For a networking career, you'll need to have a CCNA at the very minimum and that's pretty hard to study and pass for. Get started out on the helpdesk/servicedesk answering the phones and logging calls etc. Without doing that, you're chances of working in IT are zero.
There are plenty of good websites that advertise entry level jobs such as Reed, cwjobs, totaljobs, jobserve, jobsite and jobcentreplus. If you can't find anything local to you, start looking further afield.
You aren't alone with your struggle of getting your foot in the door but persistence will pay off in the end.
Good luck!
If you want to study something, I'd recommend the CompTIA A+. This is an industry recognised entry level certification. You can easily study it at home yourself by buying a few of the course books and using the numerous online study guides etc. Get the A+ under your belt if I were you.
I'm an IT Field Engineer, and my "only" IT qualification is my level 3 IT NVQ. I've worked for 2-3 different companies over the last 5 years, and at my interviews, nothing has been ever mentioned about my lack of IT qualifications. They are more interested in your actual hands on experience. So the point I'm trying to make is that big fancy IT certifications/qualifications aren't required when you're starting out. There's plenty of time to study for certifications later on in your career.
Rather than applying via agencies, have you tried contacting employers directly?
Forget about the whole networking idea for now. Concentrate in getting your foot in door first and work your way up! For a networking career, you'll need to have a CCNA at the very minimum and that's pretty hard to study and pass for. Get started out on the helpdesk/servicedesk answering the phones and logging calls etc. Without doing that, you're chances of working in IT are zero.
There are plenty of good websites that advertise entry level jobs such as Reed, cwjobs, totaljobs, jobserve, jobsite and jobcentreplus. If you can't find anything local to you, start looking further afield.
You aren't alone with your struggle of getting your foot in the door but persistence will pay off in the end.
Good luck!
My wife has been trying to recruit an experienced developer in Berkshire and has had no end of numpties apply , getting quality experienced people seems very difficult
The last guy hired hacked into the MD's computer within 4 days of starting and was dismissed within the week when his references came in showing an interesting history, the latest guy has failed to come into work on 2 days and turned up late for 3rd day , he has been there a week today
The last guy hired hacked into the MD's computer within 4 days of starting and was dismissed within the week when his references came in showing an interesting history, the latest guy has failed to come into work on 2 days and turned up late for 3rd day , he has been there a week today
XDA said:
Forget about the whole networking idea for now. Concentrate in getting your foot in door first and work your way up! For a networking career, you'll need to have a CCNA at the very minimum and that's pretty hard to study and pass for. Get started out on the helpdesk/servicedesk answering the phones and logging calls etc. Without doing that, you're chances of working in IT are zero.
To that end, I would suggest looking at doing the MS courses yourself. Windows 7 using VM player on an XP PC and an eval of windows 7 and sitting these exams
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certificat...
Exam 70-680
Exam 70-685
grab the books
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-680): Configuring Microsoft Windows 7
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-685): Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=searc...
and sit the exams
teh reality is that if you have no experiance , then qualifications are a foot in the door
If you want to get into networking then doing the CCNA can help but you'll probably want to look for an entry grade job with a local company - try the local paper rather than the jobsites and you might have more luck.
Aiming for a specialisation so early will limit the options, as has been suggested above, get a general junior techie role and then in a couple of years look to move into networking if thats what you want..
But a couple of years general IT experience will do you more good than a qualification and no experience.
Oh and the money for the first couple of years will be rubbish - does improve though
Aiming for a specialisation so early will limit the options, as has been suggested above, get a general junior techie role and then in a couple of years look to move into networking if thats what you want..
But a couple of years general IT experience will do you more good than a qualification and no experience.
Oh and the money for the first couple of years will be rubbish - does improve though
Pig benis said:
and have always been playing about with computers.
What does this line translate to on your CV?When looking for junior staff who will obviously have a lack of employment experience, I always look for people that have done relevant things in their own time, as this shows a passion and an aptitude.
In our area (mainly erp development), I'd look for people that have built a website for their local club/family business etc, someone who'd create an application to fulfill a requirement during work experience etc etc
So, instead of or alongside formal training, could you do something along these lines? For example, do you have any friends/family with a small business that could do with your expertise? Do they have a backup solution in place or require an OS/software upgrade (or even just general training)?
In summary, experience, in my experience, is king, so get as much as you can.
lestag said:
To that end, I would suggest looking at doing the MS courses yourself.
Windows 7 using VM player on an XP PC and an eval of windows 7 and sitting these exams
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certificat...
Exam 70-680
Exam 70-685
grab the books
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-680): Configuring Microsoft Windows 7
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-685): Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=searc...
and sit the exams
teh reality is that if you have no experiance , then qualifications are a foot in the door
I just bought those books today, before I came on here. I'm glad that I went for the right ones.Windows 7 using VM player on an XP PC and an eval of windows 7 and sitting these exams
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certificat...
Exam 70-680
Exam 70-685
grab the books
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-680): Configuring Microsoft Windows 7
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-685): Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=searc...
and sit the exams
teh reality is that if you have no experiance , then qualifications are a foot in the door
In terms of my experience outside of college, I have built a few computers for my friends - setup networks for family/friends and I also help my dad with his network within his office. I know it isn't anything drastic, but I do hope it shows that I can do it and by doing so, it taught me a lot along the way.
The money aspect I have accepted, as I am looking at the bigger picture and know as soon as I get my foot in the door, I will be doing what I always do, which is knuckle down and work hard.
For first line help desk work (I have to start somewhere), what would be the best thing that I could do too land that job? Should I be doing any relevant qualifications? Etc
Thanks for all the great advice so far chaps
Pig benis said:
This week I came across a website, whereby you can study at home and gain any relevant qualifications in IT. However, they are expensive but I feel like I should be doing something like this too show any employer that I am very keen. So, I'm just wondering, would this be a good idea?
I am very against these. They tend to prey on people who are desperate with the promises of a job at the end. Approach with caution. There are many horror stories about such companies.Can you post up a link to the provider and course in question?
Pig benis said:
For first line help desk work (I have to start somewhere), what would be the best thing that I could do too land that job? Should I be doing any relevant qualifications? Etc
first line helpdesk ...Perhaps get yourself a job in a call centre to show you can deal with people (doesn't matter the call centre, I know one guy that worked at Vodaphone call centre now a sys admin)
More than likely you first helpdesk job will be in dealing with people running windows, so the books and exams I already mention would do you well. perhaps the MS office exam as well.
Try some of the smaller IT businesses in town too
Slurms said:
wiggy001 said:
When looking for junior staff who will obviously have a lack of employment experience, I always look for people that have done relevant things in their own time, as this shows a passion and an aptitude.
this is 100% trueYou really need to be sure networking is something you want to get into - It's one of the most demanding and technically challenging roles in IT with no let-up in studying (ever), most of the guys I know have good degrees in maths/engineering/science.
The problem with trying to get into networking is it is a little more complicated than setting up a home or small office network where the router does most of the work for you. At a corporate level you will be dealing with firewalls, load-balancers, proxies, switches, NAS, SAN, DNS/GSS, routing, application diagnosis at the packet level, network monitoring tools, server configuration etc etc. All from diverse vendors other than Cisco.
A background in helpdesk will help, but you'll need to know Linus/unix pretty well. You can understand why companies are reluctant to take on network guys without experience - one pc down small problem. Firewall/external router out - entire company off-line.
The problem with trying to get into networking is it is a little more complicated than setting up a home or small office network where the router does most of the work for you. At a corporate level you will be dealing with firewalls, load-balancers, proxies, switches, NAS, SAN, DNS/GSS, routing, application diagnosis at the packet level, network monitoring tools, server configuration etc etc. All from diverse vendors other than Cisco.
A background in helpdesk will help, but you'll need to know Linus/unix pretty well. You can understand why companies are reluctant to take on network guys without experience - one pc down small problem. Firewall/external router out - entire company off-line.
Service desk is the best way imo. I joined a broadband tech team (TalkTalk), then the company's inhouse service desk then 2nd line, I would have tried to make the leap to 3rd line if we hadn't all been outsourced to India by the a
hole head of IT. I learned on the job and got ITIL and other things out of it.
ITIL will help in this area. Companies love it.
hole head of IT. I learned on the job and got ITIL and other things out of it.ITIL will help in this area. Companies love it.
Halb said:
ITIL will help in this area. Companies love it.
They do indeed, a particular favourite of the HR drones. That's the only reason I did it, frankly its just a load of jargonised practices that have been in operation for decades.Although whether it will carry any weight without relevant experience to back it up is up for debate.
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