Getting Back into IT after a break.
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I want to return to corporate IT (yes, yes I know) after being away from itsince 2005. I left to pursue an alternative career (that was totally unrelated) which didn't work out. In 2007 (after being told by several recruitment people etc) that I wasn't working in the industry so my chances were slim, I started doing support for small business in my local area to ease myself back into it, which I have done and continue to do.
However, I want to return to corporate IT (8+years of experience) as thats where I forged my skills, they are most applicable and frankly, I like working (the IT side at least) in that environment. Also, I'm an IT tech, NOT a businessman, and that makes a difference!
I've only just started punting my CV to agencies so it's early days but I'm getting a lot of "No degree so forget it" or "you dont have up to date experience" which just isn't true (I think they see the last time i worked for a corporate and thats it). It's a little dis-heartening to be honest.
(last corporate position was sys admin 3rd line duties with MS 2000/3 AD reasonable solaris/linux some VMware (which i know has become very popular but I'm not an expert by ay means, but we did use it) plus all the usual hardware /software you'd excpect.
I'm also NT4 MCSE and although I'm about to take (next week) the first 2003 exam, is it really worth going for the MCSE all over again? I've encountered so many MCSE's over theyears that have a so little aility it makes me wonder.
ANy advice about proceeding would be gratefully recieved.
Thanks.
Neil
I want to return to corporate IT (yes, yes I know) after being away from itsince 2005. I left to pursue an alternative career (that was totally unrelated) which didn't work out. In 2007 (after being told by several recruitment people etc) that I wasn't working in the industry so my chances were slim, I started doing support for small business in my local area to ease myself back into it, which I have done and continue to do.
However, I want to return to corporate IT (8+years of experience) as thats where I forged my skills, they are most applicable and frankly, I like working (the IT side at least) in that environment. Also, I'm an IT tech, NOT a businessman, and that makes a difference!
I've only just started punting my CV to agencies so it's early days but I'm getting a lot of "No degree so forget it" or "you dont have up to date experience" which just isn't true (I think they see the last time i worked for a corporate and thats it). It's a little dis-heartening to be honest.
(last corporate position was sys admin 3rd line duties with MS 2000/3 AD reasonable solaris/linux some VMware (which i know has become very popular but I'm not an expert by ay means, but we did use it) plus all the usual hardware /software you'd excpect.
I'm also NT4 MCSE and although I'm about to take (next week) the first 2003 exam, is it really worth going for the MCSE all over again? I've encountered so many MCSE's over theyears that have a so little aility it makes me wonder.
ANy advice about proceeding would be gratefully recieved.
Thanks.
Neil
As much as I'm sure you could find another way to spend the money, I'd say do the 2K3 MCSE. Most of the questionable MCSEs you've met are probably 'paper MCSEs' who've been thrown on the course with no prior experience to tell them that it doesn't always work like it says in the book. 
However, it's a bit like a driving licence. There are some utter numpties on the roads, yet they have the licence. It's an indication of a level of skill, although whether they improve on that bare minimum or even forget most of it and deteriorate is another matter. Given that you have experience, you can 'complete the set' with an up-to-date qualification. Might be worth grabbing a book on VMWare whilst you're at it.....my line of expertise doesn't involve any hands-on work, but I'm still considering a VCP once my other training is done with.
As for trying to find something at the moment, it's difficult for many people. I've been out for five months now (although I got a nice call today
). The market is saturated and employers/companies are still being careful with the cash, although I'd expect it to start easing towards Q4 this year (yeah, I know it's a way off, but....) Keep on looking is all I can say, persistence will be a key factor. Get your CV nice and slick too, you really need to stand out from the pack if you want to be in somewhere relatively quick.
I think the rejections based on no Degree may be symptom of the jobs you're going for; either that or an easy get out by the agency. I think I can count on one hand (with fingers to spare) the number of times no degree has excluded me from a job, as it's usually 'Degree or equivalent experience'.
However, it's a bit like a driving licence. There are some utter numpties on the roads, yet they have the licence. It's an indication of a level of skill, although whether they improve on that bare minimum or even forget most of it and deteriorate is another matter. Given that you have experience, you can 'complete the set' with an up-to-date qualification. Might be worth grabbing a book on VMWare whilst you're at it.....my line of expertise doesn't involve any hands-on work, but I'm still considering a VCP once my other training is done with.
As for trying to find something at the moment, it's difficult for many people. I've been out for five months now (although I got a nice call today
). The market is saturated and employers/companies are still being careful with the cash, although I'd expect it to start easing towards Q4 this year (yeah, I know it's a way off, but....) Keep on looking is all I can say, persistence will be a key factor. Get your CV nice and slick too, you really need to stand out from the pack if you want to be in somewhere relatively quick.I think the rejections based on no Degree may be symptom of the jobs you're going for; either that or an easy get out by the agency. I think I can count on one hand (with fingers to spare) the number of times no degree has excluded me from a job, as it's usually 'Degree or equivalent experience'.
Edited by MarkoTVR on Thursday 23 April 21:20
My personal "agent" throw on this is, use your network. Your 8+ years IT experience must have left you with a ruck of contact names, people you worked with, line managers etc. Perhaps some people you used to work with could be in a hiring capacity now?
Reason why I suggest this is agencies (by and large, but trying to avoid sweeping generalisations) receive so many candidate CVs it will be hard for you to ensure you reach the "top of the pile" for any roles you apply for.
Don't get me wrong, apply for any suitable roles on JobServe, CW Jobs etc. but prepare to encounter a large amount of competition.
It has got to the point that unless we are looking for niche skillset experience (LatentZero, Charles River or similar) then we just use our current database and (more often than not) known candidates.
To be honest an experienced agent will use there own network (to find out what roles are out there and who is recruiting what) and so you can adopt the same approach. You may find you still end up working through an agency but this will be an agency that "payrolls" your Ltd Co (or umbrella) and that it will be you personally who finds your next role.
Not trying to be negative but there are many candidates but few roles at the moment. However its not all doom and gloom, we are starting to realise many more contract roles and hardly any permanent roles. I think this is down to headcount freeze's whereby hiring managers are using contract resource as a work around.
Anyhow if I can help then I will, so feel free to PM me with your details and I can let you know if we have anything suitable or are aware of something suitable coming up...and I promise not to ask for two references!! ;-)
Reason why I suggest this is agencies (by and large, but trying to avoid sweeping generalisations) receive so many candidate CVs it will be hard for you to ensure you reach the "top of the pile" for any roles you apply for.
Don't get me wrong, apply for any suitable roles on JobServe, CW Jobs etc. but prepare to encounter a large amount of competition.
It has got to the point that unless we are looking for niche skillset experience (LatentZero, Charles River or similar) then we just use our current database and (more often than not) known candidates.
To be honest an experienced agent will use there own network (to find out what roles are out there and who is recruiting what) and so you can adopt the same approach. You may find you still end up working through an agency but this will be an agency that "payrolls" your Ltd Co (or umbrella) and that it will be you personally who finds your next role.
Not trying to be negative but there are many candidates but few roles at the moment. However its not all doom and gloom, we are starting to realise many more contract roles and hardly any permanent roles. I think this is down to headcount freeze's whereby hiring managers are using contract resource as a work around.
Anyhow if I can help then I will, so feel free to PM me with your details and I can let you know if we have anything suitable or are aware of something suitable coming up...and I promise not to ask for two references!! ;-)
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