Vague job terms

over9000

I've gotten a little experience with the IT field, (did some helpdesk work and learned a good bit while I'm there). However, I'm still not sure how much you need to know to start applying for/ looking into other roles.

People will toss around terms like Active Directory, DHCP, VPN, SNMP, VoIP, CDMA, Exchange Server, and Windows Server 2008/2003 but put no specifications in regards to how well you would need to know this stuff to qualify for the job.

I'm familiar with some of this stuff and am starting to read more on it, but are employers really looking for System Admin level knowledge with this stuff or can I get by with a few MCTS certs.

Essendon

You should keep in mind that most, if not all, job adverts are put on there by HR duds, duds that dont know crap about technology. They till throw in all the terms they can think of which is why you'll have a whole soup of alphabets in an ad. Another thing to remember is HR filter your resume by keywords, so if your resume hits that keyword threshold, chances are good that you'll get a phone interview. So it's a good idea to include those keywords on your resume.

Looks like you are in a helpdesk/desktop support type role at the moment? If this is the case, IMO you should start working on the MCITP: EA, CCNA, or any other cert in the area that interests you most. Post up if you have more questions.

N2IT

Essendon wrote: »

You should keep in mind that most, if not all, job adverts are put on there by HR duds, duds that dont know crap about technology. They till throw in all the terms they can think of which is why you'll have a whole soup of alphabets in an ad. Another thing to remember is HR filter your resume by keywords, so if your resume hits that keyword threshold, chances are good that you'll get a phone interview. So it's a good idea to include those keywords on your resume.

Looks like you are in a helpdesk/desktop support type role at the moment? If this is the case, IMO you should start working on the MCITP: EA, CCNA, or any other cert in the area that interests you most. Post up if you have more questions.

That prompts me to tell this story that happen to my friend/co worker

He received a call from recruiter. They talked and discussed the position. The recruiter asked a series of questions about experience and skills. Then she went on to discuss certifications. Do you have MCSE etc etc. My friend says no I don't have the MCSE or CCNA but I do have the MCITP system adminstrations. And even tells the recruiter it's the new version of the MCSE etc. Really dumbs it down for the recruiter.

Her response I am so sorry sir but the client doesn't mention this so we won't be able to list it.

I am sure there are millions of stories like that. It's disgusting to be honest.

WillTech105

Most HR/Head Hunters/Recuriters are not IT people. They will throw around terms and after you've been in the industry for a while you can even hear it in their voices that they have no idea what they are saying ,just trying to sound like they know what they are saying.

My rule of thumb is to say YES to everything they ask. My goal is to sit down with the decision makers, not the middle man. If you say yes to everything the HR guy says, he'll submit your resume.

Concerned Water

N2IT wrote: »

That prompts me to tell this story that happen to my friend/co worker

He received a call from recruiter. They talked and discussed the position. The recruiter asked a series of questions about experience and skills. Then she went on to discuss certifications. Do you have MCSE etc etc. My friend says no I don't have the MCSE or CCNA but I do have the MCITP system adminstrations. And even tells the recruiter it's the new version of the MCSE etc. Really dumbs it down for the recruiter.

Her response I am so sorry sir but the client doesn't mention this so we won't be able to list it.

I am sure there are millions of stories like that. It's disgusting to be honest.

Perhaps CompTIA should make a certification for IT recruiters, so stuff like that doesn't happen

WiseWun

N2IT wrote: »

That prompts me to tell this story that happen to my friend/co worker

He received a call from recruiter. They talked and discussed the position. The recruiter asked a series of questions about experience and skills. Then she went on to discuss certifications. Do you have MCSE etc etc. My friend says no I don't have the MCSE or CCNA but I do have the MCITP system adminstrations. And even tells the recruiter it's the new version of the MCSE etc. Really dumbs it down for the recruiter.

Her response I am so sorry sir but the client doesn't mention this so we won't be able to list it.

I am sure there are millions of stories like that. It's disgusting to be honest.

I would say yes, I do have an MCSE. If the hiring manager asks, show him or her the MCITP cert. These HR folks need to be trained, seriously.

N2IT

Concerned Water wrote: »

Perhaps CompTIA should make a certification for IT recruiters, so stuff like that doesn't happen

I know you are joking, but that isn't a bad idea.

Just like a project manager has a PMP or service manager has ITIL an HR recruiter should have an overview course that goes over the different certifications.

I remember talking to a recruiter one day and she asked the most bizarre questions.

She asked me about my experience which was mainly helpdesk and deskside support then. Next question was how was my SharePoint development skills. She had a client that needed 4 SharePoint developers. Her attempt at staff augmentation was pathetic.

Some of these people seem like they are high.

Concerned Water

N2IT wrote: »

I know you are joking, but that isn't a bad idea.

Just like a project manager has a PMP or service manager has ITIL an HR recruiter should have an overview course that goes over the different certifications.

I remember talking to a recruiter one day and she asked the most bizarre questions.

She asked me about my experience which was mainly helpdesk and deskside support then. Next question was how was my SharePoint development skills. She had a client that needed 4 SharePoint developers. Her attempt at staff augmentation was pathetic.

Some of these people seem like they are high.

I agree, I think some of them are high

I don't know how to convince CompTIA to make a IT recruiter certification. Maybe if many of us overload their email with requests

Concerned Water

I got a name for it

CompTIA Recruiter+

hiddenknight821

Concerned Water wrote: »

I got a name for it

CompTIA Recruiter+

The problem is that CompTIA would have to list many of their competitors' names and abbreviations for the recruiters to learn. Not sure if CompTIA would like that. I know Microsoft was mentioned, but I don't think they want to mention more names.

N2IT

Concerned Water wrote: »

I got a name for it

CompTIA Recruiter+

LOL Good stuff!

rapyoke

The guy that got me my current gig was great the whole process (especially considering I'm still a student and there probably wasn't much money to be made with me), but I will wholeheartedly agree there are many recruiters who don't know their *** from their elbow when it comes to I.T.

I had the same issue with a few of the recruiters that I was dealing with, I wrote "working towards MCITP" on my resume and they had no idea what it was.

grauwulf

WillTech105 wrote: »

My rule of thumb is to say YES to everything they ask.

one of my standard lines these days is 'if you can't be bothered to "read" my resume, I can't be bothered to make you a commission.' I did have one person sling back a "but I don't know what all this crap means!" No problem! I have a solution! go back to recruiting fork lift drivers then and get the hell off my phone.

-grauwulf
( former 3rd shift assembly line worker & yale fork lift operator )

Essendon

grauwulf wrote: »

one of my standard lines these days is 'if you can't be bothered to "read" my resume, I can't be bothered to make you a commission.' I did have one person sling back a "but I don't know what all this crap means!" No problem! I have a solution! go back to recruiting fork lift drivers then and get the hell off my phone.

-grauwulf
( former 3rd shift assembly line worker & yale fork lift operator )

Hilarious!