Unemployed and really struggling with a job in IT
Discussion
Hi folks, I was wondering if anyone could help me please.
Since being made redundant coming up to 3 months ago, I have for the first time really struggled to get a new job. I tweak my cv to every job I apply for and I also write a new cover note for each job, now this isn't a 5 minute task, but it just doesn't seem to get me anywhere. I have only had 3 interviews, which is way less than I anticipated.
Now the field of work I am trying to get into is ICT. Which I have a qualification in ICT practitioners and passed with a high grade. Since then I have built networks, computers for friends etc. Which I hope shows as initiative. The jobs which I am applying for are trainee positions, 1st line help desk staff and all of which I have been told I am not qualified enough for. How can you not be qualified enough for a trainee position?
It is incredibly frustrating, as I am 23 and I really want to work. Since the age of 14 I have always had a job, sitting around at home is not for me.
Recently I have been applying for mundane jobs until something turns up in IT. Or if I have to pay for an ITIL course. Are there any relevant qualifications anyone would recommend?
Also, some jobs I apply for are towards London and I always make it clear that I am willing to relocate. Do employees look down on this?
Sorry for the slight essay, but the job center is such a waste of time. So unhelpful and dithery.
Vince
Since being made redundant coming up to 3 months ago, I have for the first time really struggled to get a new job. I tweak my cv to every job I apply for and I also write a new cover note for each job, now this isn't a 5 minute task, but it just doesn't seem to get me anywhere. I have only had 3 interviews, which is way less than I anticipated.
Now the field of work I am trying to get into is ICT. Which I have a qualification in ICT practitioners and passed with a high grade. Since then I have built networks, computers for friends etc. Which I hope shows as initiative. The jobs which I am applying for are trainee positions, 1st line help desk staff and all of which I have been told I am not qualified enough for. How can you not be qualified enough for a trainee position?
It is incredibly frustrating, as I am 23 and I really want to work. Since the age of 14 I have always had a job, sitting around at home is not for me.
Recently I have been applying for mundane jobs until something turns up in IT. Or if I have to pay for an ITIL course. Are there any relevant qualifications anyone would recommend?
Also, some jobs I apply for are towards London and I always make it clear that I am willing to relocate. Do employees look down on this?
Sorry for the slight essay, but the job center is such a waste of time. So unhelpful and dithery.
Vince
Sorry to hear about your dilemma Vince.
Keep plugging away.
Have you considered putting yourself forward for service/help desk contract roles rather than permanent?
You may get a better bite of the cherry and you'll get good experience for any future permie role.
Check out jobserve and 1st line service desk or 1st line help desk roles.
Good luck.
Keep plugging away.
Have you considered putting yourself forward for service/help desk contract roles rather than permanent?
You may get a better bite of the cherry and you'll get good experience for any future permie role.
Check out jobserve and 1st line service desk or 1st line help desk roles.
Good luck.
I struggled to get a junior support role with a CS degree(2:1), CCNA and a years placement, there is just alot of competition, alot of graduates doing it for free to get a leg up. Experience is key and is >= qualifications.
I wrote to/phoned lots of local businesses explaining what I could offer (don't say your looking for experience), did lots of free/cheap work. I did an IP CCTV install for my brothers employer, who then recommend me to his mate who was looking for an IT technician within their construction company. I got the role after two interviews.
I wrote to/phoned lots of local businesses explaining what I could offer (don't say your looking for experience), did lots of free/cheap work. I did an IP CCTV install for my brothers employer, who then recommend me to his mate who was looking for an IT technician within their construction company. I got the role after two interviews.
MrTom said:
I struggled to get a junior support role with a CS degree(2:1), CCNA and a years placement, there is just alot of competition, alot of graduates doing it for free to get a leg up. Experience is key and is >= qualifications.
I wrote to/phoned lots of local businesses explaining what I could offer (don't say your looking for experience), did lots of free/cheap work. I did an IP CCTV install for my brothers employer, who then recommend me to his mate who was looking for an IT technician within their construction company. I got the role after two interviews.
My qualification is a BTEC National Diploma in ICT Practitioners, of which I passed with a DDM. At 23 I really don't fancy going back to uni, but I have started to look at open uni courses. I really don't fancy being a full time student again, having very little money is not where I want to be now. I wrote to/phoned lots of local businesses explaining what I could offer (don't say your looking for experience), did lots of free/cheap work. I did an IP CCTV install for my brothers employer, who then recommend me to his mate who was looking for an IT technician within their construction company. I got the role after two interviews.
I live in the South West, in Bath. But I am willing to relocate anywhere in the UK for a job.
Would it be possible for someone to have a look over my C.V please?
You could maybe work for free with a selected company first, I've done that twice and got a subsequent job on both occasions. My wife has uploaded here CV here: www.experienceworks.co.uk (nothing back yet but it's a new website) and also Job Centre Plus offers a scheme where they match you with employers, organise work experience: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare-reform/get-br... The contact for Southern England is here (not sure if she covers SW England): Lynda Jones, 01483 446080 Lynda.Jones4@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk. The company I work for occasionally offers intern-ships in IT, PM me and I'll send you an email address, getting your CV onto out database wouldn't do any harm.
Happy to have a look at your CV. You have skills and are employable; the trick is packaging your expertise in such a way as to make you of interest to the market you wish to enter. This is not a simple task as you are finding out, but there are some ways to make this easier. Good luck!
Hi everyone,
Sorry for not replying for a while. I have been moving house and haven't had the chance to sort out my internet until today.
Well I have an interview tomorrow with a company called Gradwell. They are an IT company based in Bath and deal with VoIP (hardware and accessories), email and website hosting, broadband etc. This is my first proper interview and a bit nervous. I have been on their website and also I have noted down some questions to ask after my interview (is this a good idea?).
Does anyone have any interview tips that they could share please? It is pretty safe to say that my attempt of growing a beard is now over.
Thanks again,
Vince
Sorry for not replying for a while. I have been moving house and haven't had the chance to sort out my internet until today.
Well I have an interview tomorrow with a company called Gradwell. They are an IT company based in Bath and deal with VoIP (hardware and accessories), email and website hosting, broadband etc. This is my first proper interview and a bit nervous. I have been on their website and also I have noted down some questions to ask after my interview (is this a good idea?).
Does anyone have any interview tips that they could share please? It is pretty safe to say that my attempt of growing a beard is now over.
Thanks again,
Vince
In the same position myself interview tomorrow in Basingstoke for an IT role...having recently been made redundant :-(
I have conducted at least 50 technie interviews in the past so this is what I look for:
-Loads of research on the Company - ensure you know generic info about them such as history, turnover, number of staff.
-Questions, ask lots of relevant questions and don't wait until the end of the interview, just ask them at the relevant time.
I always ask questions about the technologies currently being used such as OS type, number of servers/users, amount of web traffic (if relevant), physical/virtual infrastructure, technology roadmap, etc, etc.
Always think beforehand about answers to the standard questions such as:
Where do you want to be in 5 years
Why Company x?
What are your strengths/weaknesses
Hope that helps - go luck
I have conducted at least 50 technie interviews in the past so this is what I look for:
-Loads of research on the Company - ensure you know generic info about them such as history, turnover, number of staff.
-Questions, ask lots of relevant questions and don't wait until the end of the interview, just ask them at the relevant time.
I always ask questions about the technologies currently being used such as OS type, number of servers/users, amount of web traffic (if relevant), physical/virtual infrastructure, technology roadmap, etc, etc.
Always think beforehand about answers to the standard questions such as:
Where do you want to be in 5 years
Why Company x?
What are your strengths/weaknesses
Hope that helps - go luck
Update
Well I went for the interview, which it went really well. The job is exactly what I would like to do, the pay was great and it seemed like a great environment to work in. However, I lost out on the job to someone who worked at Sky Broadband, as they had more first hand experience. Really gutted to be honest. I have been trying for 5 months now and I still haven't got anywhere closer to having a job. I can't afford to work for free, but just to get the experience, I would seriously consider it.
I really want to go into networking, maintenance, help desk etc. I don't want to be involved with programming, as I don't really enjoy it.
Would it be worth going back to college in September to do a part time course?
Thank you in advance for any advice
Well I went for the interview, which it went really well. The job is exactly what I would like to do, the pay was great and it seemed like a great environment to work in. However, I lost out on the job to someone who worked at Sky Broadband, as they had more first hand experience. Really gutted to be honest. I have been trying for 5 months now and I still haven't got anywhere closer to having a job. I can't afford to work for free, but just to get the experience, I would seriously consider it.
I really want to go into networking, maintenance, help desk etc. I don't want to be involved with programming, as I don't really enjoy it.
Would it be worth going back to college in September to do a part time course?
Thank you in advance for any advice
inVINCEable said:
Update
Well I went for the interview, which it went really well. The job is exactly what I would like to do, the pay was great and it seemed like a great environment to work in. However, I lost out on the job to someone who worked at Sky Broadband, as they had more first hand experience. Really gutted to be honest. I have been trying for 5 months now and I still haven't got anywhere closer to having a job. I can't afford to work for free, but just to get the experience, I would seriously consider it.
I really want to go into networking, maintenance, help desk etc. I don't want to be involved with programming, as I don't really enjoy it.
Would it be worth going back to college in September to do a part time course?
Thank you in advance for any advice
Could you get ANY temporary job to tide you over? even if it's working the floor at PC World/working at a garage, etc?Well I went for the interview, which it went really well. The job is exactly what I would like to do, the pay was great and it seemed like a great environment to work in. However, I lost out on the job to someone who worked at Sky Broadband, as they had more first hand experience. Really gutted to be honest. I have been trying for 5 months now and I still haven't got anywhere closer to having a job. I can't afford to work for free, but just to get the experience, I would seriously consider it.
I really want to go into networking, maintenance, help desk etc. I don't want to be involved with programming, as I don't really enjoy it.
Would it be worth going back to college in September to do a part time course?
Thank you in advance for any advice
It would ease the pressure slightly, you can do your course and employers tend to look more favourably on people already in employment.
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