Having a rough time...

si20

As i've said, my pen-testing skills have faded big time. After I did the OSCP, I was actually offered a job as a pen-tester but the managers seemed dreadful on the interview and along with a few other issues, I decided not to go for it. I had a pen-testing interview recently and got grilled about XSS and SQLi - both of which are only covered in a very, very basic section on the OSCP and i've not gone away and done lots of XSS and SQLi work - so I failed that badly.

My true passion is in desktop/server support and i'd like to do that long-term and ultimately become a manager one day. But for now, I just want a technical role that keeps me thinking. I'd also prefer to keep the travel to a minimum. I'll see how Monday goes but if it goes sour i'll definitely get in touch! Cheers!

Kinet1c

Hope you get news from the interview, best of luck with it!

JoJoCal19

Good luck si!

si20

Unfortunately I didn't get the job. I did however, get told that I "almost maxed out the points awarded for the interview". So it's not my interview skills that are the problem here. I think i've just had the worst luck I could possibly get for 5 months on the trot. I'm quite shocked that i've been unemployed for so long. Prior to this, I had around 8 years IT experience. So to go from 8 years employed to 5 months unemployed is quite demoralising. Ah well, I will keep trying and when I get a job, I will post back.

NetworkNewb

si20 wrote: »

Unfortunately I didn't get the job. I did however, get told that I "almost maxed out the points awarded for the interview". So it's not my interview skills that are the problem here.

Did they say why they didn't hire you then?

si20

NetworkNewb wrote: »

Did they say why they didn't hire you then?

They didn't - and stupid me forgot to ask. I'm frustrated to be honest - i've spend a large amount of money investing in myself and i've had a lot of IT experience and I can't seem to gain employment no matter what.

scaredoftests

si20 wrote: »

Unfortunately I didn't get the job. I did however, get told that I "almost maxed out the points awarded for the interview". So it's not my interview skills that are the problem here. I think i've just had the worst luck I could possibly get for 5 months on the trot. I'm quite shocked that i've been unemployed for so long. Prior to this, I had around 8 years IT experience. So to go from 8 years employed to 5 months unemployed is quite demoralising. Ah well, I will keep trying and when I get a job, I will post back.

I know the feeling.It truly sucks. They say 'Don't take it personally', but how can you not? Anyway, hang in there. You will find something!

p@r0tuXus

I'm sorry to hear it's been difficult for you. There appears to be a deficiency of available positions where you are because the supply of educated workers is higher per capita than in a lot of places (most developed/developing places). I place the blame on this buzz-word "Uncertain" that is ebbing and flowing through the common vernacular world-wide in politico and economic circles. Analysts, politicians, even the FED Chair and outgoing POTUS like to hang on it. Causes a lot of caution and as though this time of year doesn't yield the usual slowdown as is with all the quarterly and annual changes that companies typically see... now we get these concerns about Current World Events making things a little... uncertain.

Hope it squares up soon, I'll be looking to jump ship to a better, faster course in the near future too.

UnixGuy

Sorry to hear that Si20. It took me a long time to find my current job so I understand.

Honestly, at this point I think you should consider relocation if it's possible. If I were you I'd start applying to all the jobs anywhere in Europe

Codeman6669

haha "just send the job to the other printer"

Yeah, that addresses the problem LOL By that alone, you should know you dont want to work there.

Good luck man.

Chev Chellios

Good luck mate, I know it sucks but try and stay positive. You have some great qualifications and experience and hopefully you get some luck soon. It seems that in the UK unless you want to work in London, Birmingham or Manchester, there aren't a great deal of decent IT roles around. I got lucky this time round in terms of role and location and hope you get something soon as well.

Moldygr33nb3an

Dude, apply for some easy help desk position that pays like 15-20 an hour. Then kick-ass at it. Within a few months, you'll be promoted. When I was HD manager, I saw that a lot. These top tier guys taking the job out of desperation, and I recommend them to a different department because it's insulting for them to be answering calls and fixing dumb adobe problems. Plus it's easy to transfer within than it is to get in.

shochan

I would buy some goats & let them fight weeds in your neighborhood. 8^D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP8m4HbyzhI

si20

Hey guys, i've (finally!) got some good news..... i've been offered a position!! It has only took me 5 months *deep sigh*

I kinda took Moldygr33nb3an's advice and went for a helpdesk position. There is LOTS of room for progression and internal movement into networking, server or security teams. But initially, i'm going to be tasked with building the helpdesk from scratch, so it's going to be an interesting experience to say the least! I'm waiting to sign on the dotted line, but it all seems to be going smoothly so far.

My plan is to work there indefinitely. I've learned first hand now why you shouldn't walk out of a job. But I think sometimes, you have to experience things first hand to really understand them. If I said: "that fire is hot, don't touch it!" - you almost want to put your hands near it, just to get the experience of the heat. I got that experience and it has actually taught me a valuable lesson and i'm happy (in a weird way) I got to experience it.

Also, for anyone in future who reads this, let me give you this advice: don't, give, up. Ever. I was on the verge of giving up a few times during my 5 month search. I just couldn't figure out how I wasn't getting interviews/roles. My advice is to brush up on interview techniques. Learn the hidden meanings behind questions. If they want you to talk about yourself - they want you to talk about what skills you have that are relevant to the role. If they ask where you want to be in 18 months time, don't say you want to be managing your colleagues (even if you do).

Thanks everyone for the positivity over the past few months, it has helped a lot! Cheers

scaredoftests

Good luck! Congrats!

mzx380

Congrats man
Knew you could do it. Take this as a learning experience to NEVER stop improving and make this your year

shochan

Woohoo, cheers!

jamesleecoleman

Congratulations!!!!

I know what it's like to have a difficult time finding a job. I left a dead end job to study abroad again and when I came back, I spent 8 months looking for an IT job. I applied to five places and got two interviews. At that time, the job applications wanted the current or previous managers information and the last manager did not like me at all. I was going to apply for Officer Candidate School for the US Navy while doing my MSIA at WGU but people suggested that I finish my masters first. I didn't complete the application for OCS nor the masters.

I'm glad that you were able to find something!

si20

jamesleecoleman wrote: »

Congratulations!!!!

I know what it's like to have a difficult time finding a job. I left a dead end job to study abroad again and when I came back, I spent 8 months looking for an IT job. I applied to five places and got two interviews. At that time, the job applications wanted the current or previous managers information and the last manager did not like me at all. I was going to apply for Officer Candidate School for the US Navy while doing my MSIA at WGU but people suggested that I finish my masters first. I didn't complete the application for OCS nor the masters.

I'm glad that you were able to find something!

Cheers jamesleecoleman, hope you're having much better luck now! IT seems to be a rollercoaster ride of an industry!

iBrokeIT

Congrats! I always love a happy ending to these threads

Cheers!

p@r0tuXus

Congrats! Very happy for you! I had to take a step back (down) to help-desk also. It's bad, but bad enough to make you want to "try, harder." Hope to do that very soon also.

UnixGuy

Happy for you man!

Mike7

Congrats!

Kinet1c

Congrats on the job, best of luck with it.

Chev Chellios

Congrats Si, you deserve it man! Good on you for staying positive and not giving up. Onwards and upwards now

MitM

Congrats!

YesOffense

Congrats, sometimes you have to take a step back to be able to assess the next moves.

kabooter

si20 wrote: »

Hey guys, i've (finally!) got some good news..... i've been offered a position!! It has only took me 5 months *deep sigh*

I kinda took Moldygr33nb3an's advice and went for a helpdesk position. !"

congratulations. But I have a STRONG word of caution for you.
Helpdesk is a job, not a career.
Dont rest too much. Party for a week, learn the tricks of trade and then restart job search for better options. Now that you are not desperate, you will get better options. Dont know why but luck is just like that.
All the best.

JoJoCal19

Congrats on the job! Glad something finally worked out for you.

SpetsRepair

I've said this many times, the ones who keep going are the ones who make it.

Congrats, whats next to come is another journey in life, make sure you have plenty of coffee on hand.