How employable will I be once I have completed my Cisco CCNA
How employable will I be once I have completed my Cisco CCNA
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Discussion

wolfy1988

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

192 months

Sunday 7th April 2013
quotequote all
Hi Guys

As per the title really,

I have very nearly finished my ICND and will begin the CCNA within a couple of months. I have no prior IT experience as I have been in sales for the past 6 years.

Every job I see advertised asks for 3-4 years experience.

Any feedback much appropriated.




randlemarcus

13,646 posts

260 months

Sunday 7th April 2013
quotequote all
Are these courses something you are doing off your own bat, or as part of your job?

If the former, have a look-see if there are cancellation charges for whichever dubious provider promised you a job at the end of your several grand "course".

CCNA etc will get you past the recruitment agent, but won't get you a job on their own.

rog007

5,828 posts

253 months

Sunday 7th April 2013
quotequote all
I can comment on job descriptions and person specifications in general; if you think you could do the job advertised regardless of what the person specification states then apply. Most pers specs are, understandibly, aspirational. If that person doesn't exist or doesn't apply for the job, they'll consider those who have. Good luck!

Bullett

11,172 posts

213 months

Sunday 7th April 2013
quotequote all
Utterly pointless without experience.

Sorry.

Rocco83

8 posts

162 months

Monday 8th April 2013
quotequote all
You really do need the experience to back it up. CCNA is nice to have if your company is paying for a boot camp etc but it won't get you a job on its own.

GrumpyTwig

3,354 posts

186 months

Monday 8th April 2013
quotequote all
Bullett said:
Utterly pointless without experience.

Sorry.
This.

Get experience at all costs! It's far more important than qualifications.

Even if an advert says you need such and such qualification, if someone turned up and said they already have a few years experience in the specific area the lack of the qualification would generally to a recruiter who knows what they're doing mean squat.

I've seen people do cisco qualifications and then just continue in the same job they're in because in reality it doesn't help them get into anything else.

Edited by GrumpyTwig on Monday 8th April 00:58

wolfy1988

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

192 months

Monday 8th April 2013
quotequote all
I am doing this as I wanted to break into IT and hopefully get a career out if it. Someone suggested doing these courses as a start and of I went.

Dont really know what to do now if I am honest, I will finish what I am doing and try and figure something out from there unless you guys have any ideas.

Thanks

wolfy1988

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

192 months

Monday 8th April 2013
quotequote all
randlemarcus said:
Are these courses something you are doing off your own bat, or as part of your job?

If the former, have a look-see if there are cancellation charges for whichever dubious provider promised you a job at the end of your several grand "course".

CCNA etc will get you past the recruitment agent, but won't get you a job on their own.
Hi, it is the former and nobody gas promised me anything. Really what has happened is posted a topic here awhile ago asking how to get into IT etc, someone suggested CISCO, I am enjoying it though. I might as well finish it all as I am sure it will cone in handy.

Bullett

11,172 posts

213 months

Monday 8th April 2013
quotequote all
There is nothing wrong with a CCNA, it's a good and maybe essential qualification for anyone who wants to do anything Cisco networking related. There are just an awful lot of people with paper CCNA's and as such you need both the qualification, experience (and preferably) CCNP or CCIE to be taken seriously.

It's going to put you in a better position than someone with no qualifications and no experience, but only just and you will still be looking at roles that are 1st level helpdesk type things. They won't be using much in the way of the skills you have learned.

mph999

2,769 posts

249 months

Tuesday 9th April 2013
quotequote all
wolfy1988 said:
I am doing this as I wanted to break into IT and hopefully get a career out if it. Someone suggested doing these courses as a start and of I went.

Dont really know what to do now if I am honest, I will finish what I am doing and try and figure something out from there unless you guys have any ideas.

Thanks
Don't feel down.

A qualification will only go for you, not against, and when up against those who do not have them, it will go in your favor. It gives knowledge and shows willing to learn.

The bad bit, is that IT is hard to get into and most have to start at the bottom and work up.

My advice is find an area that not many people do (or one that not many people do well) and aim for it.

I deal with IT type people everyday day, from all over the world. 20% are clueless, 40% are useless, 30% are acceptable, 10% are outstanding.

randlemarcus

13,646 posts

260 months

Tuesday 9th April 2013
quotequote all
mph999 said:
Don't feel down.

A qualification will only go for you, not against, and when up against those who do not have them, it will go in your favor. It gives knowledge and shows willing to learn.

The bad bit, is that IT is hard to get into and most have to start at the bottom and work up.

My advice is find an area that not many people do (or one that not many people do well) and aim for it.

I deal with IT type people everyday day, from all over the world. 20% are clueless, 40% are useless, 30% are acceptable, 10% are outstanding.
Very much agree with the above. I'd be looking to get away from the stuff you can "do" as fast as possible, and try and get to a point where it would be difficult to outsource your skillset to China, Venezuela, or Scotland, or wherever the pricepoint is lowest.