IT Support, talk to me

[NotConfused]

Due to finish university very shortly, but I've already started looking for jobs. I did a 1 year placement in IT Support and enjoyed it. I think I was very fortunate in the fact that it wasn't the usual user support stuff, but more interestingly 2nd and 3rd line support.

Some of it was very difficult and the learning curve was steep, but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. This brings me to the question, with only 1 years experience, would I be mad to apply for a 2nd or 3rd line support role?

I've noticed a few 3rd line support roles paying £30k, yet do not state how many previous years experience you need or what qualifications exactly - only "you must have excellent knowledge in Vmware, citrix, exchange" etc, which I do.

Are these poorly written job adverts getting my hopes up? It seems highly unlikely that a 30k paying job would accept a graduate (not London based). I'm confident I've got the technical skills to satisfy the role, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the recruiter will laugh at the fact I've submitted a CV with my limited professional experience!

[okgo]

Only one way to find out isn't there.

[itsnotarace]

I wouldn't hire someone for a 2nd line job that didn't have a decent amount of experience

If there were shortcuts, don't you think everyone would do it? You could just lie on your CV of course.

[jpringle819]

It is unlikely that you would get to interview for most level three positions. My company would expect at least 5 years experience in a similar position as well as industry qualifications. They also expect a wide range of knowledge from server applications, storage area networks and switching.

[NotConfused]

Thanks for the feedback.

What do people make about applying for a job when you dont meet some of the criteria, I.e. "must have a 1st in Computer Science" and "must have 2-3 years experience"? I know it sounds black and white, but I have a 2:1 and 1 years experience, the university careers advisor (who is pretty good) says apply anyway, you may woo them with your CV...

[-crookedtail-]

My advice would be to apply anyway with a decent covering letter.

When my last role in support had job vacancies they wanted all sorts of qualifications and experience that no one in the team actually had...crazy!

[mybrainhurts]

NotConfused said:

talk to me

...KILL

[fergywales]

mybrainhurts said:

NotConfused said:

talk to me

...KILL

+1

He has a lot to answer for

[mybrainhurts]

[NotConfused]

Oh sorry!

Last question, some jobs advertise a variable salary, say 16-20k depending on experience. How do they justify how much do pay, is this negotiated in the interview? The organisation where I did my placement paid £20k for "1st line support", so I really wouldn't want to do the same job again for any less.

[4mo]

Generally they will offer as little as they think you will accept, so if you're coming from no job at all expect to be offered the bottom of the range.

[NotConfused]

4mo said:

Generally they will offer as little as they think you will accept, so if you're coming from no job at all expect to be offered the bottom of the range.

If they bring up salary, and I tell them bluntly that I'm not interested at working for £16k, will they sod me off full stop, or do I have to go about it nicely nicely? (I should add, this particular vagency asks for a covering letter with your current salary!)

Edited by NotConfused on Thursday 7th April 19:36

[eztiger]

I would wait until they offer the job - with a firm salary commitment at that point - until you start making demands

[Wax1234]

Try and find an IT job in a company with a fairly small IT department, there's only three of us and whilst I'm technically the IT monkey I do everything from fixing PCs to ordering hardware and negotiations with suppliers

[964Cup]

We're recruiting for service desk and field engineering roles at the moment. Where are you based?

[NotConfused]

Merseyside!

[sloopeh]

working in IT support is like acting in coronation street. make sure you really want to do it before you start - it's all you will be remembered for and will be hard to get out unless you are committed to self study.

if you have half a brain on your head, aim higher.

IT Support will ultimately have a salary cap and can be stressful.

[4mo]

If your currently not working then 16k is far better than nothing and the company will most likely see it that way. Accept it, prove yourself then you can start asking for more money or look elsewhere.

[sharpfocus]

NotConfused said:

but I have a 2:1

In Computer Science? And you're looking at IT support?

Aim higher.

[NotConfused]

sharpfocus said:

In Computer Science? And you're looking at IT support?

Aim higher.

I know what your saying, IT Support is often looked at as a job for kids with GCSE's - but I'm not sure what else to do!

I'm midly competent in C#, ASP.NET etc but I do not want to go down that route, I hated it! On the other hand, I am very skilled in using Adobe products (Flash etc.) but thats more of a hobby and I'm not sure I want to do it as a career. I've lost my flair with webdesign, and whilst I did study some forensic computing, I was never ever good at it.

If I could go back to when I left school then I wouldnt continue my study with computers, but I'm here now so its a case of making the best out of it.