Getting no were with jobs

Hi, after passing the Server 2012 410 exam a month back and having the CCNA and a bachelors degree in computer science, i'm still finding it difficult to get a job! It's not like jobs are bursting out of the cracks here but they're hardly limited as well (in the UK). In the last 1-2 months I've probably had around 3-4 interviews, got very close on one and the other 3 basically was down to "experience", along with the one i came very close on to.
I went from school to college to university and then worked a little bit for myself while carrying on with the CCNA and MCSA etc...
I don't really know what else i can do to be honest, i know i can do the jobs but no one will give you that chance in all honesty!

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Comments

danny069

Someone has to give you a chance sometime, in the meantime (while you keep applying yourself), have you thought about getting more certifications? CCNP perhaps?

Jon_Cisco

Getting your first opportunity might seem impossible at this time. However you must always keep in mind that every employed person was born with no experience. Eventually we all need our first good chance.

Good Luck!

networker050184

Three or four interviews in the last month or so is pretty good. That tells me your resume and qualifications aren't the problem. I'd work on your interviewing skills and selling yourself.

tmtex

Yea is there anything your not telling us ? I would have 2 a week for a month and realize I am bad at interviews

Robbo777

I'm not applying for the Network Manager or System Admin positions at the moment because it's pointless.
I've been applying for help desk positions, its hard to judge where i'm going wrong or what i need to change on my CV to try and land more interviews. I'm a pretty confident and self assured person so i wouldn't think that would be the problem, i can talk for hours to strangers so i'm never without something to say to people.
Do companies look at my qualifications and think i have too many "advanced" ones for a helpdesk position and assume i wont stay there for long or do they not think i have enough experience?
It's a bit discouraging when you're applying for a lot of helpdesk positions and not getting anywhere with them to.

PapaWhiskey

Your probably a little over qualified for help desk positions. They may see you as someone who'll quickly move on after a few months. Maybe try applying for NOC positions since that's more in line with your CCNA.

Robbo777

For the NOC roles you need a high level of experience which i can appreciate, but for the entry level roles that i'm applying for and getting no where with is a bit worrying.

jerseytech

PapaWhiskey wrote: »

Your probably a little over qualified for help desk positions. They may see you as someone who'll quickly move on after a few months. Maybe try applying for NOC positions since that's more in line with your CCNA.

I have to disagree with this post. Regardless of the certs he has, it's not real world experience. Helpdesk is where a lot of people need to start to just learn the general IT business.

Robbo777

In your personal opinion then, why do you think i'm not having much success with even helpdesk roles? And what would you do personally if it was you?

MeanDrunkR2D2

In my opinion your certs are not hurting you one bit. When you go to a helpdesk interview you need to focus on whatever technical questions they throw at you, but focus on your soft skills. If you have worked other jobs, focus on the people interactions and your customer service skills as well as conflict resolution. I can teach anyone the tech skills they need to be a successful help desk employee. I cannot teach them personality or how to deal with difficult people without them having been exposed to that. I want someone who can communicate down to non-technical people and not sound condescending. Have empathy. Focus on those soft skills. You obviously know your tech side, and that will be something that will only reinforce your chances. You are getting interviews which is great and what you want. If you weren't I'd be very concerned and recommend retooling your resume.

And be honest. If they throw you a curveball question and you don't know the answer, say that you don't know off the top of your head, but these are the steps I would go through to figure out the solution. They want to see problem solving skills. They don't expect everyone to know it all. The easiest way to lose an interview is to take wild guesses and act confident when you don't know the answer or give the wrong answer. I've never been afraid to say that "I don't know, but this is what I would do first to figure out how to resolve, blah blah blah." That will go a very long way and be a huge help.

Good luck!

jerseytech

Robbo777 wrote: »

In your personal opinion then, why do you think i'm not having much success with even helpdesk roles? And what would you do personally if it was you?

Answer these questions for me;

1) When they ask technical questions, are you answering most of them correctly?
2) How are you dressing?
3) Are you early to your interview or right on time?
4) Are you smiling and acting happy to be there?
5) Are you saying "uhm" a lot?
6) Are you acting like you're nervous, or keeping it calm and cool?

Robbo777

1. Yes i get around 90-95% of the questions correctly
2. Suit with smart shoes
3. I'm around 5 mins early or on time
4. Yes i'm always friendly
5. Sometimes but not a lot
6. I'm a pretty confident guy so i dont think i look nervous at them to

fredrikjj

Why are you applying to help desk jobs with a computer science degree? What CS knowledge is relevant to help desk? Just curious.

fredrikjj

Also, keep in mind that you don't have to necessarily be "bad" just because you don't get jobs after interviews. It's not a process where you are compared to some absolute level and then pass or fail; you are compared to the other candidates. Four interviews is too small of a sample size to draw any strong conclusions in my opinion. Entry level jobs are also "deskilled" to a very large extent so it's hard to compete based on technical skills because they're not needed.

xnx

Volunteer somewhere where you can take a lead on projects... Primary Schools are good

jerseytech

Robbo777 wrote: »

1. Yes i get around 90-95% of the questions correctly
2. Suit with smart shoes
3. I'm around 5 mins early or on time
4. Yes i'm always friendly
5. Sometimes but not a lot
6. I'm a pretty confident guy so i dont think i look nervous at them to

Then what I would say is start doing labs. IF you have the cash and the room, set up a lab at home and start building. You can put that on your resume.

networker050184

As I said before, you're getting all the way to the interview. Your resume and qualifications are fine. If they are picking other people over you at that point then you need to do a better job of selling yourself as their best bet.

OctalDump

Robbo777 wrote: »

Do companies look at my qualifications and think i have too many "advanced" ones for a helpdesk position and assume i wont stay there for long or do they not think i have enough experience?

It's possible, but what I'd suggest is just asking. Follow up on the interview and ask them if that was a consideration. You could even ask during the interview if they have any concerns about your level of qualification for the role, or maybe even "what would make you confident to offer me the role now?". Asking questions in interviews generally is a good idea, because it lets you find out things about them and gives the impression that you are interested in them and the job.

The worst that can happen is another rejection, but you know you can survive those. So if you can pick up some inside knowledge directly from those interviewing you, you can start giving what they want.

Also, there's no harm in applying for jobs you think you could do but don't think you are likely to get. You might get an interview, and you might even get a job.

Plantwiz

I agree with OctalDump on the followup!

Perhaps, that is the problem? Do you follow-up? As in, do you send a thank you afterward and set a date/time you WILL follow-up with them and find out any feedback or offer? If you are the confident person you say, you should be able to pull this off without being pushy.

If you have not followed-up, I would consider contacting the past one or two most recent just to get an idea why they passed on you...and ASK if they will keep you active if something more to your fit opens up AND can you contact them in 'x' months to see how things look or to replace the guy/gal they just hired in the event they do not work out.

I agree with Networker though, it is probably coming down to soft-skills at this point

Easy to fix once the ego hit heals, but there may simply be something you need to tone down a little.

You are not wearing perfume/cologne are you? (can be a turn off).

AND
It is entirely possibly, your market is just that tight and there is nothing you did wrong, but need to continue to look.

Are you employed currently? Frequently, having a job (any job) and looking for a job leads to a job compared to no-job and looking for a job.