Tough time finding a job...

Looking for some input/opinions.

We recently relocated to the upstate SC from south Fl due to my wife's family relocating, and was really expecting to land a job (something decent, Mid 50's a year) within a few months. Well, it's been six months and still nothing!

I feel that I'm a qualified individual (ten years work experience with Novell and MS & seven years managing technical personnel) and honestly, I have only received four call backs and only two interviews out of close to a thousand resumes submitted.

The reason I post here, is because I currently do not have any certifications, they were never considered that worth wile compared to actual real world experience in my past positions. (My peers would probably consider me in the MCNE and MCSE level area, but its tough to convey that with out the title.)

Do you folks think that not having certs could be hurting me that much? Are job boards (Monster, Dice, Computerjobs) worth the time? And what is with recruiters? Why do I always get calls but never a single call back after submitting my resume to them?

Looking for tips, tricks and job offers.

/Frustrated
Kelly

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deneb829

You had 2 interviews, how did they go?
What are your expectations for callbacks, interviews, and salary?

sprkymrk

Your resumes/applications could be getting tossed because of the lack of certifications. That and a degree are usually the first and easiest things to filter resumes for the trash can. Remember in a lot of cases the HR drones looking over the resumes don't know/care about IT, they just need to narrow down a few candidates to call in for interviews.

Diddycoon

Hmmm I was sort of in the same boat as you to be honest a few years ago.
I had years of practicial hands on experience but sweet nothing to show for it.
This made it very difficult securing decent jobs even with good references to fall on.
But I got a break with my current employer when a friend that work there put in a good word for me.
But even then I had to start on a junior level on a real crappy salary until I prove I could do the a entry level job role and show my ability to learn and progress.
Things are dandy now as I'm in a higher position earning a respectable salary but I didn't want to end up back on square one if things were to go wrong so I decided last year it was time to gain some I.T certifications off my own back.
My target is to get my MCSA for Win2k3 Server before the end of 2007.

But yer I know first hand finding a good job and a good employer can be hard going.
Good luck to you, I hope you find something that suits you soon.

mysql1988

I feel your pain........My boss is an employer. When he goes to Monster.com or yahoo.com all he searches for on the job boards are A+, network+, CCNA and MCSE. After finding the ones he wants.............he weeds out the rest with 5+ years of experience.

Experience is always the key but sometimes certicates do help

I would suggest that since you have a lot of experience in IT try getting an MCSE and a CCNA, it will go a loong way to help you.

Ed Rooney

I hired a guy a few years ago who was in the same boat. He easily had MCSE-2003 and CCNP knowledge, plus experience, but he had (and still has) no certs. I didn't even know how good he was when I hired him, so I didn't give him a ton of money. He easily had "lead network engineer" type knowledge and to this day I encourage him to at least go get his CCNA then bang out the CCIE written.

newdamage1

deneb829 wrote:

You had 2 interviews, how did they go?
What are your expectations for callbacks, interviews, and salary?

Both went very well, one was for a help desk type position at a local university, and I think I may have unintentionally slipped that "help desk" was not what I was looking for. (job description was super vague.) The other was down in the Charleston area, and I've actually gone down for the second interview with the IT director and the CFO, that went well (not perfect, I had not done a great deal of research about the organization and the CFO asked me what I had thought of the company, I "BS'ed" my way through and got fairly good feed back.) I am still waiting for a response from them this week. Not to be tooting my own horn, but I interview great, in the past if I interviewed, I received an offer. My salary expectations are not outrageous, (mid 50's) for decent sized company's, and I ask 60's if I will have a team in my charge.

sprkymrk wrote:

Your resumes/applications could be getting tossed because of the lack of certifications. That and a degree are usually the first and easiest things to filter resumes for the trash can. Remember in a lot of cases the HR drones looking over the resumes don't know/care about IT, they just need to narrow down a few candidates to call in for interviews.

Unfortunately, I think you are right. It is a bone head move and people in the biz should definitely know better. One of the best people that I had ever hired, had zero certs, and very little experience, but from his resume and his interview I knew he lived and breathed lan's and networking. I think hes is taking he CCIE lab this summer, I expect he will pass first time through.

I sure wish I would have heeded my own advice and got my certs like I told my subordinates.

I think I will bang out a CNA this week, I did a testout exam sim this afternoon and did fairly well for not having gone over the test material. I'm not sure what to do after this. I think a CCNA will suit me better, but I will really need a "course" to get me through as I am horrable at the self study material. How long are CCNA courses?

thanks for your input!!!!

litehedded

CNA is easy
or at least it was when I took it for netware 5.0
give it a go

Don_PA

Hang in there NewDamage and keep your persistance.

I have been there myself unemployed and looking and not getting any offers. I am employed now (contractor) and still looking for a better paying job and it is still tough getting any better offers. I don't know if you are hurting for money/income or getting unemployment benefits. You might have to lower your salary expectations, get something temporary job until you get that offer that suites you and your family.

sprkymrk is in SC. Maybe he knows some connections. Some of the guys here are here to help in encouragement because they have been through it before sending resumes, going on interviews and not getting any offers. In the meantime to improve yourself you should study for the certs, create your own network lab to stay sharp. Keep in touch!

newdamage1

Don_PA wrote:

Hang in there NewDamage and keep your persistence.

I have been there myself unemployed and looking and not getting any offers. I am employed now (contractor) and still looking for a better paying job and it is still tough getting any better offers. I don't know if you are hurting for money/income or getting unemployment benefits. You might have to lower your salary expectations, get something temporary job until you get that offer that suites you and your family.

sprkymrk is in SC. Maybe he knows some connections. Some of the guys here are here to help in encouragement because they have been through it before sending resumes, going on interviews and not getting any offers. In the meantime to improve yourself you should study for the certs, create your own network lab to stay sharp. Keep in touch!

Thanks for the encouragement

I have been in contact with Sprkymrk, always good to find new contacts!

I don't think I could ever do without my lab/servers, they are definitely part of the house now.

Kelly

Main Event

newdamage1 wrote:

Looking for some input/opinions.

We recently relocated to the upstate SC from south Fl due to my wife's family relocating, and was really expecting to land a job (something decent, Mid 50's a year) within a few months. Well, it's been six months and still nothing!

I feel that I'm a qualified individual (ten years work experience with Novell and MS & seven years managing technical personnel) and honestly, I have only received four call backs and only two interviews out of close to a thousand resumes submitted.

The reason I post here, is because I currently do not have any certifications, they were never considered that worth wile compared to actual real world experience in my past positions. (My peers would probably consider me in the MCNE and MCSE level area, but its tough to convey that with out the title.)

Do you folks think that not having certs could be hurting me that much? Are job boards (Monster, Dice, Computerjobs) worth the time? And what is with recruiters? Why do I always get calls but never a single call back after submitting my resume to them?

I think most job sites don't do much, I prefer physically handing in a resume than emailing or posting on job sites, however, with your experience you should get something pretty soon since that's what really matters....

I know NC is booming with growth with so many people from South Florida moving up their and a large percent of the marine industry leaving South Florida moving up their due to a much lower cost for land and so forth.

I think you'll be alright in SC, just keep on hitting the pavement and everything will work out. If you lived in South Florida you know that's not the place to be to obtain a high paying position since it's mostly construction, manual labor and production jobs that they usually advertise....

I'm trying to finish up some more certs and then I'll be leaving myself, personally I cannot wait to leave South Florida and I feel I'll do much better elsewhere.

Looking for tips, tricks and job offers.

/Frustrated
Kelly

TechJunky

Where about in South Fl?

I just got back from Bradenton/Sarasota area two days ago. I noticed they had a couple jobs in that area around the 50k range.

I am actually seriously thinking of moving to that area.

garv221

Stop relying on web based applications (Monster, Careerbuilder) physically go into the potential place of business, chat, explain your situation and drop off a resume. You may be surprised at the results you get.

Don_PA

Have you tried this your self Garv? I am pulling for Newdamage/Kelly. I have been through this before when I was unemployed and I experience the same jive from IT recruiters now that I am working and applying for higher paying positions. Maybe with the smaller companies you can do this and go in informally, but with the bigger companies you have to deal with 1-2-3 layer hiring process. My advice is deal with the rejection. I can deal with it when you go through the interview process and at least they email you or send a letter of rejection or choosing another candidate. Some do not have the courtesy of replying back and just leave you hanging.

As with IT recruiters, it is a hit or miss with them. Of course I got my job through a recruiter. Some are good (the ones who at least secure you an interview) and some are bad (they interview you and ask you about your background and don’t call you back) The thing is most of the IT jobs are mostly under RHT or Tek Systems. Like it or hate it Careerbuilder still lists a lot of IT postions.

newdamage1

TechJunky wrote:

Where about in South Fl?

I just got back from Bradenton/Sarasota area two days ago. I noticed they had a couple jobs in that area around the 50k range.

I am actually seriously thinking of moving to that area.

I am from the Naples Area, the job market was fairly good. I had a decent job (high 50's, crappy benefits and a cheap boss and no future.)

The Naples/Ft Myers area certainly has job openings. BUT (and this is a huge but) the cost of living is in the neighborhood of 250% above the national average. My house which I bought for 130k six years ago sold for 400k (and in just over a month on the market.) Now the bubble has popped, so prices are down 10-15%, but then you have to deal with the traffic. Just a quick insight, it took me a little over an hour to drive 14 miles to work. and a friend of mine that lived in Ft Myers and worked in Naples his commute was almost 4 hours daily. Oh, and expect to pay 3-6k a year on home owners insurance.

Oh, and did I mention ist's HOT?

I would think that the Tampa area would not be as bad, and probably more affordable, and with infinitely more things to do for social activities.

newdamage1

Don_PA wrote:

Have you tried this your self Garv? I am pulling for Newdamage/Kelly. I have been through this before when I was unemployed and I experience the same jive from IT recruiters now that I am working and applying for higher paying positions. Maybe with the smaller companies you can do this and go in informally, but with the bigger companies you have to deal with 1-2-3 layer hiring process. My advice is deal with the rejection. I can deal with it when you go through the interview process and at least they email you or send a letter of rejection or choosing another candidate. Some do not have the courtesy of replying back and just leave you hanging.

As with IT recruiters, it is a hit or miss with them. Of course I got my job through a recruiter. Some are good (the ones who at least secure you an interview) and some are bad (they interview you and ask you about your background and don’t call you back) The thing is most of the IT jobs are mostly under RHT or Tek Systems. Like it or hate it Careerbuilder still lists a lot of IT positions.

I have defiantly have better luck with direct hire adds (both local and via the job boards)
Recruiters..... Not so much.

I have two post-interview "hangers" right now. One was real recent (this morning

), and the other was four weeks ago, and not even a peep either way. (even after a email and voicemail left with them) I think that's just the nature of the beast, some people are inconsiderate. I personally made sure that everyone that came for an interview with me received a letter telling them that the position was filled, and the other fluff that put into rejection letters.

garv221

Don_PA wrote:

Have you tried this your self Garv?

Yes, I actually got a job in SC (HHI) by doing that. I have always believed 80% of all the available jobs out there are not listed. Instead of applying to wanted ads, apply to businesses before they need to issue a want ad. From my hiring experience, a want ad is the last resort in filling a position.

TechJunky

Ft. Meyers seems quit a bit south of the main cities... IE: Orlanda, Tampa, Petersburg. I am amazed at the housing price. It seemed you could get a decent place in Sarasota/Nakomis area for 200ish price range. That included a double car garage and pool.

I can deal with the heat... I was born in New Mexico.

I plan on obtaining atleast an associates before I move. I want to show an employer that I have some college experience. I will also sit down and bust out my MCSE as well. Where I currently live everyone knows who I am so I dont have a hard time finding a job here, so thats why my motivation for schooling has deminished.

I know I just need to get back on the bandwagon and GET ER DONE!

Good luck with the job hunting!

newdamage1

Just as an update, about three weeks after this post I finally started to get calls for interviews. I ended up taking a position with IBM. So all of you looking, keep your chin up, it will come!

Kelly

ajs1976

Congrats

emmajoyce

Hey congrats, that gives hope for me here in SC.
Ive been trying the job boards for 4 months. I get this brilliant idea to actually go to the place of businesses like garv mentioned. The problem is, what type of places need me?? I looked in the yellow pages for networking and computer stores. I dont want to be a pc tech at the local mom and pop puter store. The places that advertise that they do networking is more or less just one guy with maybe a 8.00/hr tech doing jobs around town.
Garv or anyone, What type of places hire networkers or technicians. I beleive hospitals would be a good try and maybe large motels. Any one have anymore suggestions?

Darthn3ss

I'm going to be in the same position as the person above me and the OP.

funny how we're all in SC.... I'm hoping to score a job at school to get some experience. pay will be crap but oh well.

pbradish

Congrats! I'm glad to hear that there was a happy ending to this thread.