Getting old trying to find a job

It's been six months now since I've obtained my glorious CCNA (and then my Security+), and the job offers (or interviews for that matter) have not been rolling in. The phone calls for interviews are so few and far between that sometimes I pick the phone up and check to make sure it's still working. I clearly have little of value in the eyes of employers. I must admit that my CCVP studies are being adversely affected by the dearth of opportunity as well.

August will be my one-year anniversary of my CCNA. So I've decided that unless I've been able to find something worth having, job-wise, by this date, I'll be moving on to another job field where the grasses of opportunity are greener and where I won't have to start out in the job market as the IT mop-and-bucket boy in order to get my foot in the door. I hope it doesn't come to that, but with a family, I have to do what I have to. I don't want to waste any more time in a field which may have nothing for me. I had no idea starting out that one had to have experience prior to having a job in networking, or else work for rock-bottom wages and hop from job to job in order to get something worthwhile in the end.

This whole networking journey for the last 1 1/2 years has been a bittersweet experience for me in many ways. I've enjoyed learning things I never knew before, and I'm happy for those who have "made it," for sure. I have a feeling, though, that there are many who didn't make it for each one who did.

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Comments

tek-9

Hey,
I know exactly where you are coming from because I used to live in south florida and only god knows how many job interviews I have been through and I had over 8 years of experience under my belt. I bet you the common question they asked you was if you were bi-lingual ( spanish/english) but if you're not good luck, you will have to start somewhere if you live in Dade or broward county you may want to try Verio in Boca Raton the starting pay is descent ( 40 - 45 k ) or the Answer group and get you more certs as well as another job while acquiring the experience for your resume. I moved out of florida and thanks God I've got a Job with Scientific Atlanta ( Cisco Systems ) and I dont have to worry about learning a second language.

AlexMR

WOW. It is unreal how hard it is to give the first steps in IT in the US. I think one of the main problems is that some of the most popular "entry level" certifications are now extremely common there. There seems to be way too many CCNA and MCPs.

The problem is that apparently there are way too many people thinking about the 90s situation, where a CCNA with no experience was guaranteed a god job practically whereever he wanted.

Now the most common situation seems to be a CCNA who cant find a job. I have been in several forums for the past 6-7weeks only, and during this time Ive been shocked about this situation. The answer (that i have concluded) might sound shocking to some of the most experienced guys but it is actually quite simple: Get more education!

I know a lot of people will say "a CCNP without experience!" well, i have read many times already about a several guys who got their first job without any experience when they obtained their CCNP certification.

Even when the same patterns applies to all professions, the experience seems to be more important in IT because the entry level opportunities are not that many. I just know that if you enter college when you are 18 and you are not a genius, you will have a Ph.D with no experience at about age 28-30, and you have certain guarantees that you wont have major problems to find a good, above average income salary. You wont be making as much as somebody with your Ph.D and 15years of experience, but still the time you invest in education is going to be rewarded.

NOw seems like a bad time for somebody pursuing a career change into IT, because the lack of entry level opportunities and, as a consequence, the crappy salaries. 10years ago was easy to "take the risk" when just getting a CCNA could land you a 55K/year job, now it's harder.

My last advice to the ones of you having a hard time to start, and specifically to the younger ones without families is: consider moving abroad to get some experience and in the mean time get more education (if you are ccna, start passing exams to the ccnp!). In latin america we have the situation there was in the USA back in the 90s. The big communications companies are having a hard time getting certified techs-pros and they are getting very good jobs even starting. I have a B.S in civil engineering and I wont have a problem shifting to IT when i get the CCNA because a CCNA makes as much as I do being an engineer...with even better prospects for the future...

Another good part is that most of thiose companies once you are in pay practically anything you want in order to get you trained, and the geeks like us who are wiling to study can get paid for it, and get more responsibilities which in the end means more money. I bet that a US citizen with a couple professional certifications from MS, Cisco or whatever your path is, and 2-3 years of experience wont have any problems landing a very decent job in the US.

protocol167

Word, hang in there. It takes time. Even for me now, When I first started out with no professional experience but home experience and for two years was again also complaining like any other people trying to get into the IT field saying " How the fudge am I gonna get professional experience if no one is willing to give me to chance". Finally my chance came when I just sent my resume to any company that was accepting postions for pc techs, help desk, network position, etc....

Walla, persistance paid off and I was given a chance with no experience but personal home experience nor certifications. I got a position as a pc tech in a manufacturing plant all because I was persistance for two years. Yes, it was long but in the end I got my foot in the door.

Now, I have no certfication at the moment (working on my CCNA at the moment) and no degree making between 60k to 75k in the East Coast area. I do have plenty of expereiencenow ( 6 years in IT to be exact) and at times, I am still having a hard time for employers to call me. I guess it is how my resume is structured. But hey, I got an interview tomorrow with a financial processing firm for banks, credit unions, etc...

Most IT positions are based on experienced but you just have to be ver persistance with what you want and it will eventually pay off. It will als be depend first on your resume (how well you sell yourself on the paper to get a call). Second, if you do get a call, how well you sell yourself to the interviewer. For me, I get a calls but I suck alot at interviewing because its a week spot for me. Tell me your dam problem that you are having with your network and I will solve it. Don't ask me abc question. Well that's just how I am.

I think you just got to wait for your calling. Sooner or later it will. Good luck and I know you will get your calling like I did sooner or later. Be persistance like I did.

phantasm

Crunchyhippo wrote:

It's been six months now since I've obtained my glorious CCNA (and then my Security+), and the job offers (or interviews for that matter) have not been rolling in. The phone calls for interviews are so few and far between that sometimes I pick the phone up and check to make sure it's still working. I clearly have little of value in the eyes of employers. I must admit that my CCVP studies are being adversely affected by the dearth of opportunity as well.

August will be my one-year anniversary of my CCNA. So I've decided that unless I've been able to find something worth having, job-wise, by this date, I'll be moving on to another job field where the grasses of opportunity are greener and where I won't have to start out in the job market as the IT mop-and-bucket boy in order to get my foot in the door. I hope it doesn't come to that, but with a family, I have to do what I have to. I don't want to waste any more time in a field which may have nothing for me. I had no idea starting out that one had to have experience prior to having a job in networking, or else work for rock-bottom wages and hop from job to job in order to get something worthwhile in the end.

This whole networking journey for the last 1 1/2 years has been a bittersweet experience for me in many ways. I've enjoyed learning things I never knew before, and I'm happy for those who have "made it," for sure. I have a feeling, though, that there are many who didn't make it for each one who did.

Your working on 6 months of job searching and complaining? I'll be finishing my CCNA soon and haven been trying to get into IT for the past 3 yrs. Hasn't happened.

oo_snoopy

Hate to be the negative nancy here, but IT isn't something you just "get into" anymore. Every time I here someone say, man those IT guys make a lot of money, I want to do that, I just laugh.

If you want to get into IT, go to school, earn a 4 year degree and work your way up. If you want easy money you're not looking in the right place.

If you go to school and earn your way, you will almost surely find a job and can't working your way towards that big paycheck you so desire.

Sie

I have to admit I have only read part of this thread so my comments may be a little off but to me some people have it the wrong way round.

For me I got into IT and have worked my way up (still not there yet) but have done it for the passion and interest I have in IT. The pay I get is just a bonus and an added extra.

You need to pursue something that excites you and gets your 'fire' going then if it comes with a good pay thats great if not atleast you can be happy in the knowledge that you are doing what you love and what interests you the most.

Not alot of people can say that about their jobs. (not aimed at anyone here just in general across all job markets)

If you have the drive and detirmination and passion you can get what you want.

I strongly believe that with IT you only get back what you put in as its such a fast changing world. Yes there are some lucky people but 99% of people have to be prepared to put in the blood, sweat and tears.

Keep your chin up and keep at it and im sure your hard work will be worth it in time.

(The comments above are based on my views of working in IT and are not aimed at anyone on this board)

Aquabat [banned]

HeroPsycho wrote:

My first full time job in IT was for Microsoft Premier Product Support. Sounds great, doesn't it?

no, not really

HeroPsycho

Aquabat wrote:

HeroPsycho wrote:

My first full time job in IT was for Microsoft Premier Product Support. Sounds great, doesn't it?

no, not really

Trying to come up with a sarcastic response, but I'm laughing too hard to try... ROFL!

Aquabat [banned]

HeroPsycho wrote:

Aquabat wrote:

HeroPsycho wrote:

My first full time job in IT was for Microsoft Premier Product Support. Sounds great, doesn't it?

no, not really

Trying to come up with a sarcastic response, but I'm laughing too hard to try... ROFL!