Are Help Desk Positions becoming harder to get?

Success101

I don't have much experience in the IT field only about two years which I was providing tech support. I do have basic level certs(see side),CASP from CompTIA, and MOS 2010. I think I have applied to over 20 different tech support positions, had maybe a couple of interviews, was told it went well but never heard anything good back. I don't have a degree, but I'm working on it and hopefully will be finished by late 2013. I have military experience...however my field was unrelated to IT, but involved computers. I need an opportunity to gain the necessary experience to succeed in this field. Instead of job searching...I think I need to be building a solid network.

It seems to me as though it all about who you know and what they can do for you. I have seen individuals who don't who their head from their *** sorry to say and end up with the best jobs. Does anyone have any advice?

Devilry

Jobs in general are harder than before to get, its a employers market and they are getting way overqualified people for pennies on the dollar. Don't worry though, you will find something. If you have a few years experience try to up the certs a little and get that degree done.

networker050184

No matter what field you are in there will always be people who get their job strictly by who they know. This is just a fact of life and nothing particular to IT.

My advice would be to work on your interviewing skills. If you are getting into interviews and not getting offers you aren't doing enough to set yourself apart from the competition. You have some experience, some certifications and working towards a degree. There really isn't much else you can add from a qualification stand point IMO.

DEC901

Success101, we are in the same boat. Ultimately, just looking for a break, a chance to get involved.

gadav478

Interviewing skills are just as important as your technical skills; just my opinion. It's also good to make sure you tie together all relevant experience, regardless if it's IT. If you do a good job in conveying that you are competent and are a good fit, you'll get a lot more calls back. Sometimes your qualifications play second fiddle to your ability to learn and interview well. Obviously it depends on the job and the interviewer. I just started a Call Intake Analyst job this Monday. Great company. No direct IT experience, a few years in hospitality. I did have my A+. What got me in was the drive shown and my A+. That's it. Hunt and hunt and constantly try to improve your brand and you'll have a job in due time. Keep pushing and don't allow anyone to see you sweat

lsud00d

Also note that Help Desk positions are very customer service oriented, so if you lack these skills (communication, patience, empathy) then you will not (should not) be hired for Help Desk.

Akaricloud

I wouldn't really say that they're harder to get now than before. It's still quite possible to get helpdesk positions with little-no experience.

IMO the ultimate choice on helpdesk positions comes down to more the applicant's attitude and personallity that is portrayed during their interview.

I would definitely look further into your interviewing skills and try to figure out how to correct any mistakes you are making.

N2IT

Helpdesk are becoming more lean from my view point. With more emphasis on automation and business processes they are able to automate password resets, basic service request and other items. There is a huge push for self service which can save the company money by reducing cost. Measuring and problem management are becoming leveraged more which is giving management the correct business intelligence to staff accordingly. No longer do you see fat service desk, most are lean and mean or at least attempting to get to that point.

tpatt100

You are probably going to have to create your "own experience" until something permanent opens up for you. It has been said many times before here but find some volunteer work you can perform. Maybe tutoring underprivileged on how to use a computer or the elderly? Use it as an opportunity to work on class outlines, presentation skills, creating your "brand" so you develop a reputation.

Plenty of great IT blogs out there, keep labbing and find ways to volunteer your services. Maybe setup your own blog and use it as an opportunity to learn how to do some basic web design, hosting and improve your writing skills?

I think my biggest advice is to do something, anything to keep progressing even a little so you don't fall into a hopeless rut and give up.

YFZblu

My two cents: When I applied for my desktop role, there were 80 other resumes that came in. I highly doubt I was the most qualified on paper. Also, I lived in another state so I would have to move across the country to accept the position. But I was already an employee of the company working in the helpdesk, and I knew one of the Sr. guys in that area - So I got the job.

Now every time I apply for a new position for another company I always remember to sell myself as the best candidate for the job, not just a really good candidate who could do the job if it was given to me; because there's always that internal employee, or a friend of a friend who's resume' is in there, and inherently rises to the top of the stack just because of social circumstances.

Experience-wise, you'll have to manufacture your own. Not only that, but make it known during interviews that you've been training and preparing yourself for this moment and for this job. Eventually you'll impress someone who will take a chance on you.

BigMevy

It sounds like you're doing the right things. Along with working on interviewing skills, you could work on networking. That can be done any number of ways. I hired one guy years ago because he played poker with a co-worker, happened to mention he had an IT background and the co-worker said "Hey, I think we're hiring a desktop support position"

It was enough to get him in with a recommendation to me, which was enough for me to give him more consideration than the others that interviewed.

eansdad

To gain experience try going to nearby school districts and apply to be a substitute computer technician/desktop technician. You could also look into temp job agencies for short term and/or possible long term jobs.

Side note - you don't see a lot of help desk people getting next level security certs (CASP).

bdub

Just go get yourself hooked up with a recruiter at a firm. There are lots of lower level positions but they get filled quickly and a lot of them are done through staffing agencies such as Robert Half.

tpatt100

I don't know what your work hours are now but there are contracts for system upgrades and roll outs that are weekend only.

When I was a government contractor the lead tech for a roll out short term contract made such a good impression that she was recommended for a full time position. A year later she became lead tech for the desktop support team.

Legacy User

i always get a little weary when i read something about help desk. I always remember my older brother coming home at midnight in a pissy mood due to his adventures in help desk. Always with stories how everyone gets nasty and talks to him like he's stupid takes a toll after a while.

Collinsb

We're always looking for "Help Desk" staff.... right now we need someone in Plymouth MI. and in Cincinatti OH.

jay twizzle

To the OP I am in the south florida area as well so I know what you are experiencing, In south florida I noticed now that a lot of job postings for help desk positions require more experience and vendor specific certs. From my personal experience I was able to get my first Help desk position with only my A+ at the time. Even though I have an associate degree in computer info and tech the hiring manager didn't care. The hiring manager tested me on manually removing malware, literally had me sit in front of an infected computer and watched me remove it. (Can we say nerve racking) The interview was short and to the point. I was able to get the position but before that I was applying and getting little to no response. Just keep submitting resumes don't give up. Get in touch with some recruiters as well. From the certs you have acquired, you possess the technical aptitude and you have almost 2 years of experience in tech support. You have more experience than me when I first started in the field. It is only matter of time, a manager or recruiter will give you that big break.

techdudehere

I've loved working in IT but if I were a young man today, I would not go down this road knowing what the future likely holds. It's no secret that companies are looking to cut IT costs. They are replacing internal staff with MSPs (the little guys) and 3rd party contractors (the big guys). The little guys are moving their servers into hosted environments. Just as it doesn't make sense for them to have their own web server, they now see it makes little sense for them to host their own mail or file servers either and transfer speeds are fast enough now that it's not slowing them down much. The big guys will always keep some nice, coveted positions around, but they will be surrounded by a sea of low paid contractors and Universities and Governments will always be desired positions. I recommend doing considerable research on career options, you want to be on the right ladder before you start climbing.

If you're 100% sure IT is right for you, then forget about help desk. Get the high level certs, setup your own labs, look at WGU, take contract work if you have to but build real skills doing servers, networking, security,etc and work that can really pay the bills and get you some respect. You could spend years on helpdesk and it will only help you ___ this much because on every interview you won't have the skills they are looking for and no one has time to train you.

Success101

Thank you everyone for your replies; very helpful.

psenior

I am also in South Florida. I would say the job market here is very poor compared to most other parts of the nation. I'd suggest you expand your horizons. I've been applying for jobs in Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Atlanta, etc.

sratakhin

Yet many ratings of the cities list Orlando as a "booming tech hub"

HLRS

I believe so, I went for an interview and there was a lot of people. thing is about help desk position is its either you move up or you leave. you can't stay in this position forever. I say working 3 years max as helpdesk then some other college grads can take the position. why would an employer pay you $50k a year while he could hire a college grad or entry level guy for $25k do the same work.

mfvillain

tpatt100 wrote: »

I don't know what your work hours are now but there are contracts for system upgrades and roll outs that are weekend only.

When I was a government contractor the lead tech for a roll out short term contract made such a good impression that she was recommended for a full time position. A year later she became lead tech for the desktop support team.

where would one find such contracts?

WafflesAndRootbeer

mfvillain wrote: »

where would one find such contracts?

You gotta ask around at recruiters/IT staffing agencies unless you have connections to local companies who do that sort of thing or you can occasionally find such work on Craigslist and other classifieds. Your mileage will vary.

Anonymouse

Devilry wrote: »

Jobs in general are harder than before to get, its a employers market and they are getting way overqualified people for pennies on the dollar. Don't worry though, you will find something. If you have a few years experience try to up the certs a little and get that degree done.

Pretty much what this guy said. There have been a few openings at my helpdesk for the past few months and from my boss has told me there's a whole lot of applicants. It sounds like the people asking for over $40k/year for an entry-level helpdesk gig are the first ones to be rejected.

sratakhin

Is it too low or too high? 40k in Bay Area won't last long...

Success101

Hmm. Sadly I don't seem to be getting anywhere. Does anyone know of any open entry level positions available in/around Florida?