IT job role help

[dchaddah]

A little bit of advice would be appreciated as Im getting frustrated!

After a small stint in recruitment I decided it wasnt for me it got the extent that I dreaded going to work! so packed it in and decided to do what I originaly planned and get into IT. (Why?.... cos I find it enjoyable and doesn't feel like work!) My degree was in Information systems and ive done some network implementation and support along the way, and am now studying for the MCSE. THe MCSE is going to take about 6-9mths to complete as I dont want to spend 5k+ on a 2 weeks crash course with no job at the end of it!

So is there anyone in IT who can point me in the right direction, im registered with a few agencies, on websites (Reed, jobsite, monster) is there anything else I can do? I appreciate I will have to start at the bottom and Im prepared to do this as I know will prove myself quickly, but getting that start is proving very very hard all the jobs I apply for want experience even for the junior levels! There has to be a way!

Any advice and help appreciated! (Maybe your looking for a dedicated hard working individual! ) [worth a shot]

PS im loooking in London for jobs

 

[beddism]

agencies

I have found that Rullion or Parity agency are really good.

 

[Ian_C]

Send me your CV, and I will see what I can find. WE have quite a few companies in London.

Ian
www.getronics.com

 

[abulsara]

Suggestions

Hi,

I have a number of years experience in IT and I would suggest the following:

• Register with many agencies as you never know where a role may come from.
• Register on Jobserve, CWjobs etc. and make your CV available to view. Create searches and have them emailed to you daily.
• Try to get some experience in any capacity which you may be able to use what your are learning on the MCSE e.g. voluntary, schools etc.
• Canvass friends and family for any job opportunities - some roles only ever get advertised internally.
• Maybe try to fix PC's etc. on the side for family and friends which may be a good source of experience and maybe some income.
• If you develop a good relationship with an agency, give them a call every week to ensure you stay in their mind when new roles come in.

I hope the above is useful, unfortunately the company I work for is based predominantly in the North and has no opportunities in London.

Hope you get something soon!

 

[Sp!ke]

Speaking as someone who's been in IT for a number of years, I would say that its not the industry it once was. I'd be wary of getting into the game right now.

I'd also consider something other than being a microsoft man. The market is flooded with experienced MCSE qualified people and frankly, its possible to earn a lot more doing something that doesnt require you to completely re-learn and requalify (often at your expense) every three years.

If you do go the MCP/MCSE track, just get a couple of useful MCP's under your belt like 2003 server, AD and XP by doing loads of brain dumps and then take the exams. It wont take long - mebbe a weeks study per MCP doing dumps.

Once you have a couple of MCP's, your well on your way and should be able to market yourself reasonably well.

That said, I'd be looking at qualifying in something more generic like IT project management as the real money is not being a techie.

 

[Shude]

• If you develop a good relationship with an agency, give them a call every week to ensure you stay in their mind when new roles come in.

Harrass the agencies. When I was last looking for a contract I probably got a *reply* to 10% of the jobs I applied for and about 10% of those resulted in an interview. If you keep hounding the agencies eventually they will try to find something for you just to get rid of you!

That said, I'd be looking at qualifying in something more generic like IT project management as the real money is not being a techie.

Unless you're talking about a very highly specialised techie that is a very true statement.

 

[Rose Chap]

That said, I'd be looking at qualifying in something more generic like IT project management as the real money is not being a techie.

I'd agree with that too. The other thing is that there are a large number of recent immigrants with IT skills - particularly with Microsoft qualifications. From an economic perspective this is a good thing, however it does mean there is downward pressure on prices. For those who work in that market segment you'll find yourself competing against people new to the country who are prepared to work for far less than you would be.

Also, having done it, the nature of technical IT work can be quite repetitive. Sure, you might be the only one in your company who can sucessfully restart the mimesweeper and bring email back to life, but doing it every day, or variations of it every day does get samey.

Definitely try and steer yourself towards project, rather than day to day support work if you can.

Best of luck!

RC

 

[drifting]

As an employer of quite a few MCSE's I would say the one sure way of getting through the door is to apply directly to companies. Do a search on google and the like for vacancies. You would be saving your future employer a grand right from the start. After quite a few bitter experiences with agencies, I now prefer to deal direct as it were.

Paul.

 

[dchaddah]

Thank you all for your advise, just got to keep plodding on but sometimes feels why are I am doing this all I want to do is get out there and work!

Planning on getting my head down over the next week and at least try and pass the first MS exam and hopefully employers will see this as a plus!

Ian thank you for your kind offer, I'll send u a PM requesting a email addy.

Any more advice please keep it comming!

 

[dchaddah]

Update

Well after a hard long slog I've finally managed to bag myself a Support role. :bannana: Went to the Interview on Thursday and was told there and then they'd like to offer the position..... which was surprising as I felt like I was drowing at points!

Money's rubbish but its a start and also been told they will increase it every time I notch up a MCP so not bad all in all suppose Ive got the incentive to do the exams asap!

Thank you for all your advise everyone, time to get my head down for a 12mths, the plan is to look to specialise into a niche area in about 12mths as I've been led to beleive this is where the real money is!

 

[R2e]

That said, I'd be looking at qualifying in something more generic like IT project management as the real money is not being a techie.

Maybe so, but how boring is that! If you're a techie you're a techie and that's where the joy lies. I still get a kick out of programming after more years than I care to think about, and enjoy going to work every single day. Can't say better than that! It's not necessarily all about money.......

Oh and most of the Project Managers I've ever come across have, it would appear, honours in gant charts and little else . Not enough technical knowledge to understand what is being explained or proposed, and zero man management skills. Maybe I've just been unlucky but having done work for a fair proportion of the top 100, I'd be surprised.

Congratulations on the support role dchaddah, it's a good start and a good base to move on from. I know a lot of IT people young and old, who started out in support.

 

[scotth_uk]

Oh and most of the Project Managers I've ever come across have, it would appear, honours in gant charts and little else . Not enough technical knowledge to understand what is being explained or proposed, and zero man management skills. Maybe I've just been unlucky but having done work for a fair proportion of the top 100, I'd be surprised.

You do have to watch for the term 'Project Manager' being misused though. Lots of people call themselves PMs.

Scott (Tech PM)

 

[A-AvantGarde]

You do have to watch for the term 'Project Manager' being misused though. Lots of people call themselves PMs.

Scott (Tech PM)

True!

 

[R2e]

You do have to watch for the term 'Project Manager' being misused though. Lots of people call themselves PMs.

Scott (Tech PM)

Abolutely true. Unfortunately they also get paid like PMs

 

[scotth_uk]

Unfortunately they also get paid like PMs

Yup. Lots of £400-500per day people out there right now, who've only ever worked a stage, rather than started-run-closed.