First job in tech still elusive

Hey guys, I've been on this forum for about half a year since deciding to get into the tech industry. Since I made the commitment, I have collected more than half a dozen technical certifications, from CompTIA A+ to a Python cert to, most recently, AWS cloud. But I have yet to break into my first sysadmin job, and even for help desk positions I am being told I don't have enough experience. I am getting frustrated and desperate. Earlier today I read an article about how unemployment is at a 50-year low. That's when you start thinking, is there something wrong with me?
I thought I would be able to study my way into a job by using certifications to validate my knowledge, but as my certs pile up I am beginning to believe that is a pipe dream. Does anyone have any helpful advice?
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I would look into projects, volunteering and working with recruiters as a way to break into the industry. Good luck!
2020: GCIP | GCIA
2021: GRID | GDSA | Pentest+
2022: GMON | GDAT
2023: GREM | GCWN | GSE
WGU BS IT-NA | SANS Grad Cert: PT&EH | SANS Grad Cert: ICS Security | SANS Grad Cert: Cyber Defense Ops
1. Your linkedin profile needs work and you need to network with those companies you're looking at or would like to work for. So contact the recruiters, send them a note, and connect on linkedin. You have yourself labeled as, "Certified Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Systems Administrator, and Python Developer". But you're not. You're a systems administrator. I don't see anything other than an AWS certification that leads me to believe you know anything about the cloud let alone are an engineer. I think that term is highly overused.
2. Where's your resume? If so, post it so we can take a look. All I see for experience in the IT world is the following:
- Remote PowerShell administration of Linux VMs in Hyper-V
- Python and shell scripts to automate tasks
3. Get some endorsements of your current work on your linkedin page.
4. What big projects have you been a part of?
5. Are you ACTUALLY a systems administrator? Are you doing more help desk level tasks than systems administration? It's okay if you are! Just put that stuff down! If you're not an actual systems administrator (we can figure that out pretty quickly on the windows side) then start trying to get those Help Desk level jobs and move up! That's how most of the work force does it.
You've got to take a look at how you're presenting yourself and right now from a hiring perspective I'm not impressed. I'm not trying to be mean - I'm trying to be honest and hopefully we can get you on a path that makes sense. It's too easy to jump into IT from something else and catch your hair on fire with a bunch of different certifications but not really understanding the process or how to fully utilize them or that knowledge. Lets get back to the basics. I'll look for your reply.
New Blog: https://jpinit.com/blog
Security Engineer/Analyst/Geek, Red & Blue Teams
OSCP, GCFA, GWAPT, CISSP, OSWP, AWS SA-A, AWS Security, Sec+, Linux+, CCNA Cyber Ops, CCSK
2021 goals: maybe AWAE or SLAE, bunch o' courses and red team labs?
Certifications aren't the end all be all, but if you have no experience it would be a way to show you can learn the technologies. However, you are going to have to start at a lower level more than likely than what you are willing to accept.
My LinkedIn for comparison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpinit/ (not the end all be all)
New Blog: https://jpinit.com/blog
Someone needs to take a chance one you. That's the hardest part of getting that first IT, you just need one person to take a chance on you.
Your Linked in:
When I look at your Linked in profile, I think you're actually in that admin role. However, you are not in the role, and this may confuse hiring managers, and recruiters. A lot of recruiters and hiring managers do keyword searches and if they see your admin, and still working in that role, then they will probably reach out to you for roles that you're not qualified for.
--Alexander Graham Bell,
American inventor
If you post your resume on here with personal info removed, then a few of us can go through it.. Friendly suggestions will be made on how to change your resume, so that it will help you land your first IT position.
I rambled on to much.
Good Luck on your job search!!.
--Alexander Graham Bell,
American inventor
https://www.volunteermatch.org/
The temp agencies will typically have projects.
--Alexander Graham Bell,
American inventor
2020: GCIP | GCIA
2021: GRID | GDSA | Pentest+
2022: GMON | GDAT
2023: GREM | GCWN | GSE
WGU BS IT-NA | SANS Grad Cert: PT&EH | SANS Grad Cert: ICS Security | SANS Grad Cert: Cyber Defense Ops
“Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.” – Thomas Jefferson
2020: GCIP | GCIA
2021: GRID | GDSA | Pentest+
2022: GMON | GDAT
2023: GREM | GCWN | GSE
WGU BS IT-NA | SANS Grad Cert: PT&EH | SANS Grad Cert: ICS Security | SANS Grad Cert: Cyber Defense Ops
When I got to the interview the first thing the hiring manager said is I really Impressed him!!
He said most people will lie and say they’re qualified for the role, when they’re not.
--Alexander Graham Bell,
American inventor
Sir,
First and foremost after it rains the sun comes out. Trouble doesn't last always. Most people (depending on geographic location) have experienced some sort of job woes. I am going to bring in a neutral opinion from my own point of view.
- Some good points have been made. One being a certification doesn't equal job title. Yes, every certification body lists certifications that should qualify you for certain roles. But just having the cert alone doesn't automatically give you the right to add a title to your name. I believe if you weren't hired for a title, you shouldn't use it. I have never met an Engineer with less than 2 years of IT experience and the majority of that being System Admin.
3. Your LInkedIn bullets don't really catch me eye. Ex:
- Python and shell scripts to automate tasks
Hugh?
I was going to see what your company lists as sys admin duties. Interestingly enough your company doesn't have a careers section. What is funny is that, the contact for Embedded Technology System Solution, Inc lists his resume for download. He doesn't just list his resume but various download formats such as Word and PDF. WhAaAt?! I have never in my life seen a company contact representative give you a resume for download.
The company only has two employees!? Nothing on the companies LinkedIn speciality page says anything about Windows, Active Directory, Python etc.
So, I think the company, your LinkedIn, and your job titles have raised some eyebrows around here (it's a tough crowd, trust me).
I put in A+ in Indeed.com ( Dallas Fort Worth) and got 196 jobs. How many of the 196 have you applied for?
I put in Linux+ and got 1,305 jobs ( Dallas Fort Worth). How many of the 1,305 have you applied for?
It can be hard but keep pushing. I have faith in you.
Security Engineer/Analyst/Geek, Red & Blue Teams
OSCP, GCFA, GWAPT, CISSP, OSWP, AWS SA-A, AWS Security, Sec+, Linux+, CCNA Cyber Ops, CCSK
2021 goals: maybe AWAE or SLAE, bunch o' courses and red team labs?
As already mentioned, volunteer, work with temp agencies, move if able and do whatever it takes to get a foot in the door.
Security Engineer/Analyst/Geek, Red & Blue Teams
OSCP, GCFA, GWAPT, CISSP, OSWP, AWS SA-A, AWS Security, Sec+, Linux+, CCNA Cyber Ops, CCSK
2021 goals: maybe AWAE or SLAE, bunch o' courses and red team labs?
Those will get you allot further than you think. Even if you're coming from being unemployed for the last 2 years after working at McDonald's (just an example) - be honest and let them know you're spent time dedicating to studying technology and working on building skills for your future. That's probably enough explanation right there to land you an entry tech position with minimal difficulty.
Even if you've been living in your mom's basement for 2 years playing computer games while working on getting certs you shouldn't have a problem landing something basic. Just say your new to the industry and looking to learn and expand your knowledge and hoping to grow your position as time goes on.. blah blah etc. etc.
Just an A+ alone should be enough to land you in a basic tech support role you can work up from pretty quickly. Also, just a reminder - when you actually have a real tech job you can go look for better tech jobs and they can legitimately verify your employment.
I agree with others above about landing an engineer or sysadmin role straight up without any experience. It's not impossible, but will be unlikely. Mostly because what you actually deal with on a daily basis is not necessarily taught in books. There is certain work etiquette and subtle nuances you can only obtain with experience. Mainly (IMO) because it's never consistent and doesn't always make logical sense, but is something you just get used to over the years. .. it's hard to explain.
2021 Goals: Sec+ SY0-601, AAS (Cybersecurity Specialization)
2022 Goals: CISSP