Very Frustrated

I have just about given up all hope in finding a job. I have no experience in the IT field which I know is hurting me big time. The only thing I have is an A+ cert which I recieved with studying on my own. I know hardware and os's pretty well and have been building my own computers all my life, but that doesnt pay me. EVERY job I find it says experience is needed to be considered. How do I get experience if no one will hire me??
I am very willing to take the lowest IT job in the world just to get my foot in the door. Does anyone have any advice,recommendations or stories on how they got there foot in the door. Thanks
I am very willing to take the lowest IT job in the world just to get my foot in the door. Does anyone have any advice,recommendations or stories on how they got there foot in the door. Thanks
Comments
There are jobs out there! If you have hit the pavement and still cannot get a job, my advice is go to school. Get a degree and a MCSE... You will not have a problem getting a foot in the door with an MCSE & Degree. A+ just doesn't cut it, its a given.
However, there are opportunities, but you have to be vigilant. And you have to keep trying. If a posting calls for some experience, apply anyway.
You have to apply before people will hire you.
My "foot-in-the-door" experience came after I got A+ and Network+ certs. I worked for a contractor on a work station deployment for the military. It only lasted 2 months, but I gained a lot of experience in that short time. The certs got me an extra $1/hour. The pay was still not that good, but I got a bit of experience. There were people coming in on that job from 2 states away just so they could do IT work! You may have to do that to get started.
A+ wise, there are exceptions. Where I work now, the operators who oversee backups aren't required any cert. However, help desk persons are required to get A+ certified within 6 months of being hired.
Keep trying! Best of luck!
CCNP R&S - In Progress...
CCIE Security - Future...
It counts as one of the elective tests toward getting your MCSA. As of right now, the only comptia exam Microsoft excepts for MCSE credit is Security+.
But still, an MCSA isn't too shabby since you only have to take 3 tests after you get your Net+/A+.
Are IT jobs only about system administration and maintainence?
since that is what I believe everyone is talking about now.
turtlenodhead- I thought you had a CCNA & some other certs??
how are pays there in the US?
people who start new in the IT field typically works 9 hours a day and makes 900~1240$US a month that is between 4.5$/hour ~ 6.2$/hour
I think I'll be forever poor
How is working at COMPusa?
and how long need to work each day typically
The new church I am at (even larger) has a great network , a new website, and now a new phone system (this time it was web design and phone system experience that counted more than certs.) I am currently coordinating an entire network move to a different building while renovation happens.
Because of less responsiblilty I can now use work time and home time to study for certs. I have A+ now will have Network+ by the end of next week then on to MCSE.
Look at local school systems websites for IT jobs...they won't be listed in papers or on Monster.com
Go to local churches and volunteer or ask straight out if they have a job. I answer calls almost ever week from other churches who don't have IT people even on a voluteer basis looking for answers.
For example instead of using a text resume. I make my resume itself as a exec program. Just some simple GUI displaying my info/education...
I really dont' know visual C++, and all I did is do some learning from online tutorial. The program itself is crappy but at least it shows you an enthusiastic. Becuase I think if you want jobs, and dont' have experience, you need to at least show you are willing to learn. And the boss should hire you instead of the others which also don't have experience.
way to keep a good attitude.
the key to get a job is to get interview.
When you get interview, excel it!
to excel it = you need to show your interviewer that you are worth it! make sure you have portfolio of work of what you have done: such as, web data system, VB software, research and so on!
and make sure your portfolio looks sweet!
kicker
So why not VOLUNTEER or INTERN? It doesn't have to pay now, but it WILL pay off later!
It kind of is hard to find a job in IT nowadays...where are you from?