NetworkingStudent wrote: » I get a lot interviews, but no luck. I had three interviews this week alone. I seem to have a problem closing the deal.
NetworkingStudent wrote: » Things I struggle with: I live in rural area-most of the IT jobs are an hour or more away. I need to convince the recruiter or employer that yes I’m okay traveling that far.
shochan wrote: » As far as Office 365, it's Office, not a whole lot changes from them except new features & it looks different.
shochan wrote: » Man, I left IT for 5 mos in 2015 due to being in a high stress IT position and it was a much needed recharge. After that I studied for Sec+ and after I passed that I got on with an ISP for about 6mos, then I decided to pursue a business outside of IT. Of course, that did not pan out so I was off work for another 4 mos...took a long vacay and started applying for positions again, then I was able to get a contracting gig for a local hospital & have been there for almost a year. I would say if you don't have any AD experience, see if you can download a trial version of MS Server & install it on Virtualbox - install AD, config DNS, DHCP, join your laptop/desktops to the domain, create shared folders, printers, logon scripts, create some user accounts on server, and practice login in as those users, etc...I am sure you can find some YouTube videos on how to do this. As far as Office 365, it's Office, not a whole lot changes from them except new features & it looks different. Take some online classes on edx.org or udemy.com if you want some more geek knowledge of AD and/or Office. Here is also some free books you can get. Cheers & HI5!
NetworkNewb wrote: » Getting interviews is probably the hardest part imo! At least you know where you need to work on. If you didn't get a job after an interview you need to sit down, go over each question, and rethink how you could've answered it better. Maybe rethink what you are wearing to the interviews... Something. If you are getting a lot of interviews there is no reason you shouldn't be getting a job soon. It means there are jobs out there and they are looking for someone like you. (unless you're lying on the resume about your knowledge) Seriously people don't just bring everyone off the street in for interviews. Go over questions over and over and over. Practicing answering them out loud.
ITSec14 wrote: » Have you followed up after hearing you were not selected for those jobs to inquire why you were not chosen? When I first started applying to IT jobs and would get those responses saying they were not proceeding with hiring me, I would politely and professionally respond asking if there was any specific experience I was lacking, etc. Always good to hear constructive feedback.
TheFORCE wrote: » Have you considered moving to a new area or closer to the city? Many people find this hard at first but when you take that first step good things can happen
volfkhat wrote: » Agreed with the advice to use Virtualbox. Google for Microsoft Evaluation Center' you can get 90 time-trails for server 2012 (free). Lab it up! Google/Torrent/Youtube for some some mcsa training. Easy Solution: Lie. If your resume says your location is "small town"; change it to "big city". Fin
thomas_ wrote: » If at the end of an interview you feel it's a place you would like to work, then tell them that you would be very excited to work there should they select you for the position. You don't want them leaving the interview thinking that you're wishy washy about the position. I also like to ask if they have any concerns about hiring me for that position. This gives you an opportunity to address those issues head on and if you don't get the job it might give you some sort of indication as to the reason why you didn't get it.
alan2308 wrote: » While Office 365 does include a piece of software you download and install on the computer, this isn't likely what they're asking for when they want Office 365 experience. The local office suite is a very small portion of the Office 365 ecosystem. And @ the OP, if you worked at an MSP for a couple years, maybe you should work more on describing your experience there on your resume and being able to sell that in an interview. I would expect that you had a hand in a lot of different things at some point, even if it wasn't in your primary job duties. Don't lie, but if you ever did it, sell the fact that you know about it. And as others have said here, build a few VMs and work on some of the holes in your knowledge while you look.
NetworkingStudent wrote: » I will need to go over the questions. Often I'm I asked why I left one company I had been at for two years, and then went to a project for 6 months. I admit to the interviewer that they let me go, and that seems to be a pain point for a lot of companies. I have a crafted answer, but it's hard for them to NOT be afraid to bring me on. It's true most places don't interview just anyone. Now days most places do a phone screening, and then bring you in for an interveiw if you pass the phone screening. I do hope I get a IT job soon!!
JoJoCal19 wrote: » NEVER say you were let go. As I mentioned in another thread, just say it wasn't a great fit (apparently true) and you decided to move on. You can also say the job ended up not being as it was described (sort of true) and you decided to move on. They will call your old employer and they will only vouch that you worked there. Sometimes prospective employers will ask if they'd hire you again. IF they say no, that's not as bad as you admitting you were fired.
Chevel wrote: » OP I also commute for an hour and change from a rural area. Keep pushing HR and recruiters thought the same with me even at one point doing 2 hours ( one way), tell them how passionate you are about the job. Also agreed with the poster above.
