How do I get my foot in the door?

I currently have my Security+ cert and am currently studying for Network+. I know its kind of backwards but I was thinking of going for my A+ next, and then my CCNA and possibly MCSA. Am I going about this wrong? I figured that getting my N+ now will help me to get a NOC job instead of just working a helpdesk. My goal is to become a network admin as soon as possible.

I haven't had any responses to my resume with just Security+ on there. I currently work for a cable tv company as a team lead in the sales department but am trying to transition into the NOC. Can anyone tell me if I'm going about this in the right way or offer any suggestions to advance my career?

I would hate to drop a good paying job to work at a no name company on the phones at the helpdesk for minimum wage. I understand that I need to get some experience, I would just like that experience to be at a higher level and more related to network administration.

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Comments

ehnde

I work in a NOC and a few of the guys here now moved up like you are trying to do. A+ could help you get a desktop support/helpdesk job, but it won't do squat to get you in a NOC. Network+ could help, maybe. CCNA is more valuable.

Pay for helpdesk isn't so bad, depends on the company and where you live really. I was offered $17/hour for one helpdesk job in my area.

You seem to be going about your advancement the right way but just remember there is no one single thing you can do that will definitely get you that first IT job.

A few tips:

post an anonymized resume and let us review it
get some education in addition to your certs (if you don't already have a degree)
after you get that first IT job don't bother with CompTIA certs anymore
you might need to be willing to relocate (cast a wider net on the job search)
get on linkedIn and put your certs on your profile (you will show up in search results by employers/recruiters)
don't quit studying/learning new things

DPG

Would you happen to be in Houston?

hou17

I am originally from Houston, but actually live in Austin. I prefer to work in Austin or Dallas, but I would consider Houston or even San Antonio if the right opportunity came up.

hou17

ehnde wrote: »

I work in a NOC and a few of the guys here now moved up like you are trying to do. A+ could help you get a desktop support/helpdesk job, but it won't do squat to get you in a NOC. Network+ could help, maybe. CCNA is more valuable.

Pay for helpdesk isn't so bad, depends on the company and where you live really. I was offered $17/hour for one helpdesk job in my area.

You seem to be going about your advancement the right way but just remember there is no one single thing you can do that will definitely get you that first IT job.

A few tips:
post an anonymized resume and let us review it

get some education in addition to your certs (if you don't already have a degree)

after you get that first IT job don't bother with CompTIA certs anymore

you might need to be willing to relocate (cast a wider net on the job search)

get on linkedIn and put your certs on your profile (you will show up in search results by employers/recruiters)

don't quit studying/learning new things

Here is a copy of my resume (I blanked out my name and contact info). I would appreciate any suggestions on my resume or career advice on how to transition into a network admin job. I'd prefer to work in a NOC or something similar. I would consider some help desk work as long as it paid at least $16/hr and had room for advancement toward an admin or even analyst or engineer type job. Thanks for your suggestions!

Name

Summary

Seeking an entry-level position in the Information Technology field which will utilize my skills in system administration, maintenance, and troubleshooting. While I intend to specialize in network administration, my goal is to find a position that not only utilizes my current skills but allows me to learn new ones as well.

Education
Aug 2010 – Present Community College of the Air Force
[FONT=&quot]Information Systems Technology[/FONT]

Oct 2010 - March 2011 Air Force Technical School Keesler AFB, MS
[FONT=&quot]Cyber Systems Operations[/FONT]

March 2011 CompTIA
[FONT=&quot]Security+ Certified[/FONT]

September 2010 Department of Defense
[FONT=&quot]Active Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance[/FONT]

Aug 1999 – May 2000 Samuel Clemens High School Schertz, TX
[FONT=&quot]Diploma[/FONT]

Work experience

March 2010 – Present Texas Air National Guard Hensley Field AGS, TX
[FONT=&quot]Network Administrator [/FONT]

Install, configure and manage data services at the operating system and server application level using Server 2003/2008 on deployable equipment
Implement security fixes, operating system patches, and antivirus software
Assist in setting up routers, switches, NICs, and firewall for the NIPRNET and SIPRNET
Set up Exchange Server with Active Directory and configure user access rights
Monitor network health conditions
Maintain server room COMSEC security procedures

July 2008 – Present Time Warner Cable Austin, TX
[FONT=&quot]Retention Advocate[/FONT]

Troubleshoot complex problems with accounts, billing systems and services
Coordinate, track, and research support issues until resolution of problem
Train new hire classes in all aspects of order entry, call flow, and the management of various computer applications
Motivate and lead agents by working closely with supervisors
Support remote work-at-home users with technical issues
Create daily managing reports and training documents
Participated in the early testing and demonstration of TWC’s wireless 4G internet service before the roll out to Central Texas

Nov 2006 – July 2008 Time Warner Cable Austin, TX
[FONT=&quot]Customer Service Rep[/FONT]

Provided technical support to residential cable internet subscribers
Consulted with customers about their service issues
Used Remedy software to create and update customer service requests
Notified area tech supervisors of potential outages
Researched and solved customer billing discrepancies

Oct 2005 – Nov 2006 TransUnion Settlement Solutions Pflugerville, TX
[FONT=&quot]Lead Document Prep Specialist[/FONT]

Trained employees on internal software applications

Lead a team in the preparation and recording of official mortgage assignments and releases
Coordinated production between clients and outside vendors
Ensured that client completion deadlines were met

Troubleshoot computer issues

March 2005 – Oct 2005 Round Rock Hospital Round Rock, TX
[FONT=&quot]Patient Registrar[/FONT]

Registered emergency room outpatients using Meditech
Managed medical records, patient charts, and collected co-pays
Insured that the emergency room was within JCAHO compliance
Maintained supply inventory

June 2002 – Feb 2005 Spherion Round Rock, TX
[FONT=&quot]Consultant[/FONT]

Sold computer systems and configured home networks through Dell’s home consumer division
Achieved a status of being in the top 10% of my sales force by building excellent customer rapport and selling total solution packages to meet customer needs
Exceeded daily sales quota by following up on sales leads
Provided technical support for the Dell Financial Services website
Resolved billing issues and handled customer escalations

Priston

Talk to your manager at time warner cable and see if he can pull some strings and transfer you to the IT department

kiki162

I agree with everyone else here as far as a cert path. Get the Network+, then go for the A+ right after that. If you get those certs for starters that help to get you at least a help desk type of job. I would also finish up your CCAF ASAP, and then work on your CCNA.

There are a couple of things on your resume you may want to clean up.

Take out your tech school, employers really aren't going to care if you went to tech school, they care more about degrees, experiences, and certifications more than anything.
Take out your HS stuff all together
With your TX AFNG job, you may want to add certain pieces of software that you are working on. For example, if you are running a Symantec Endpoint Server, or WSUS. Another point with the monitor network health, are you using something specific that mainstream companies use?
Take out the Customer Service Rep position and combine it with the Retention job. (ex: Nov 2006 - Present Customer Service Rep/Retention Advocate) Don't add everyhing from the CSR job. I would use the Remedy software one.
You do not want to have 5 different jobs on your resume, so at the most I would put no more than 3.

As far as your current job, I know it sucks but the fastest you get those certs together, the faster you'll be outta there into a new job. Best thing to do is to focus hard on those certs, and get that AA degree man!

You certainly might have to relocate however $17 isn't going to help you too much with paying rent unless you had a roomie.

hou17

Thanks for the good advice kiki