Starting out in IT and confused as every job says I need IT experience...

Does everyone starting out with A+ and N+ certifications normally start out working at a help desk? All of the jobs I see available to me want 1-3 years of IT experience and as I have no experience I'm at a loss as what to do, there are plenty of internships here, but I was wondering if taking one such as "First Line Technical Support Person" or "ICT Helpdesk Support Person" would be the type of experience needed to get my foot in the door at a company. I am working towards my CCNA as well, but experience is more important in my mind that all these paper certs. Could someone please point a new IT guy in the right direction?

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xbuzz

I think most people start off in first line support positions, unless they're extremely lucky or qualified.

I find most employers these days post "perfect" candidate requirements when advertising for jobs. You don't need to have every requirement, and in terms of years experience, starting out I would apply for any jobs with 0-3 years experience required. If they think you don't have enough experience for the job, then they won't interview you/give you the job, so it does you no harm to apply for any job you want in theory.

I would apply for first line support then work there for 6+ months while completing the CCNA, then reassess your situation. With CCNA you could go for an entry level NOC job (or even maybe now if you're lucky, leveraging the fact that you're currently studying for it), to go more into a networking job role, or stay with your current employee and work your way up to 2nd line support, or further, if there is advancement opportunities.

Having 6 months - 1 year experience in the IT field makes a huge difference in the amount of interviews you get I find. If I couldn't find a job, and if you can afford it I would even do an internship to get your over that first 6month/1year milestone.

gatlin

Thanks so much for the prompt reply, and I will start applying for those jobs as you say of they reply there's a chance. Cheers for the advice.

Vik210

If you are getting a chance to work as First line support or Help Desk person, I think you should take it. My first job was of a technical support engg for DELL desktops for home users; help desk sounds so good to me!
A+ and N+ are good certifications and I think most of us should start from there. If you get a job and you don’t see any benefit of writing the exam, it’s a different thing, but I still think you should read the topics covered and get the basic understanding. CCNA is my favourite for anyone in networks and have less than 1 year experience. You will learn so much and do attempt the exam. I always thought I knew enough for CCNA and was not giving exam, but I learnt the most while preparing for the exam.
Good luck and never stop learning. Keeps the momentum going and you will have all the success.

m3zilla

I started out in HD, and was glad I did. You may not do much technical work, but you learn how to effectively communicate with the end users.

Roguetadhg

I hear a lot of people complaining about working from the bottom. It's not just here, either.

Help desk is still an experience with troubleshooting. They're the frontliine solders, in the trenches of suck. While they're not digging the suck, they're helping to maintain the user experience. They're, dare I say it, just as important as the cog 'ccie' in the background. Without the users doing their work we would not be around. There wouldn't really be a reason to have people that, mostly, suck up money from the company.

You may not even get a help desk position. You may need to volunteer and work for free to get the 'experience' that someone will take a chance on you and your abilities.

Realize that the catch22 of "Jobs needing experience to get hired/can't get hired to get experience" doesn't apply if you're willing to put the leg work to do things outside of the box you'll stand out in the party of people.

NetworkVeteran

Does everyone starting out with A+ and N+ certifications normally start out working at a help desk? All of the jobs I see available to me want 1-3 years of IT experience

When employers look over your resume they're primarily going to consider your education, certifications, and experience. You have no experience, don't indicate any advanced education, and have minimal certifications. Yes, that's generally going to translate to starting at the bottom. Your term will be determined by how much you put into it more than the years.

I am working towards my CCNA as well, but experience is more important in my mind that all these paper certs. Could someone please point a new IT guy in the right direction?

You typically earn those pieces of paper by learning knowledge helpful for day-to-day tech work. Your mileage may vary, but "pieces of paper" (and the associated knowledge) allowed me and most of my colleagues to bypass the "help desk" phase. Others it helped to land that first help desk gig. Good certifications are often the fastest way to bolster your overall portfolio.

keeranbri

Hi, I can relate to your question. just keep applying . I have 0 experience, no certifications, however I do have my BS in technical management. And 5 yrs of call center experience doing collections so I'm sure that helped alot. Right now I am doing tier 1 &2 helpdesk for about 10 months now..and this was a unexpected job that came up when i had another one lined up so I took this one

iDShaDoW

I've posted my resume before, but I have 1 year 8 months of help desk experience, went back to school for 4 years and got my bachelor's. Got certifications through that time and am now doing help desk again...

Not the greatest thing to be doing and definitely not what I had in mind, but you do what you have to.

I had an offer in DC through a recruiter (fairly certain I did well in the 1st & 2nd round interviews) and went with a last minute offer in the suburbs instead. Was about to accept DC's but the 2nd company contaced me, interviewed, and extended an offer all within a 3 day timespan lol.

I can't help but feel like I lowballed myself a little bit on the pay since they actually offered me a bit more than I asked for. Did save myself 2-3 hours commute each day, $400-500/mo in Metro fare, and landed in a bigger government contractor company though.

The manager says after 12-18 months he'll push to get me into a better position (possibly with clearance). I've been eye-ing this Jr-Mid DBA position they have open now lol but it will probably be gone long before I put in my dues.

---

Long story short: It sucks having to deal primarily with end users (especially over the phone if you can't remote in), but if you get in the right place it'll hopefully open some doors for you but be ready to run if it seems like they're content with pigeonholing you in the help desk for life. Plus if the manager isn't the type to find you work to do if you're not busy, you can crack open a book and study for some more certs.

Take what you can get and continue looking for better opportunities. Easier to find a job when you already have one.

eansdad

Be thankful you're starting in helpdesk...I started (1st IT related job) at Compaq in assembly putting together workstations. Luckely one of the configuration managers was walking the line looking for anyone with some knowledge and I was moved to server build and config in the 1st week. Still damn hot in that work area and some of those servers weighed in over 200lbs.

We all start at the frontline support positions unless you know someone who gets you in as desktop support or a jr. level admin but those are rare.

glenn_33

I just applied for a help desk job a friend recommended me for. They wanted 3-5 years of experience and I only have a little over 1. I took their test exam thing and aced it. Hopefully i'll hear back

I don't think it ever hurts to apply...worst case they don't call you...best case you land an interview. good luck!

Qord

gatlin wrote: »

there are plenty of internships here

Right there's a great way to earn some experience. It might be the crap jobs with no pay, but experience is experience. Just try your best, and learn as much as possible while doing it. Often times, internships have the potential to turn into full-time gigs, and at the very least help you establish contacts and start professional relationships, so don't underestimate the value.

winstarman

In my opinion help desk is like working in food service or any other service-oriented occupation. You may find that you hate it almost as much as life itself, but you will learn so much that it is worth it 5-10 years down the road.

As others have stated - don't get frustrated, keep applying and keep learning.

Jackace

I understand where the OP is coming from. I have started in the Help Desk and NOC area and I still haven't found a way out of there. There are just too many people with experience out there looking for jobs and if your current employer is not willing to give you a shot then you are pretty much out of luck moving up.

RouteThisWay

You need to give them a reason to give you a shot.

And if they won't, aggressively pursue opportunities that will.

I know this is very lame but: Be Aggressive. I have that printed out on my wall at work.

Don't do the "average". Stand apart from the crowd.

dave330i

gatlin wrote: »

I am working towards my CCNA as well, but experience is more important in my mind that all these paper certs.

Thinking like that won't get you very far in this highly competitive job market. You have to believe and show people that experience /= knowledge.

Roguetadhg

I agree with Dave. You can't just let things happen to you. You have to make things work.

Yes, a CCNA isn't the best. But it's better than not. Hearing someone say "I know I can pass" is a hell of a lot different than saying "I have passed". Then just charm them with your winks, magical stares, and toss a small fireworks display using sparklers (The ones the change colors) that say "Hire Me"

Although, at that point you'd set off the fire alarm.

...end up in Jail for Arson

...Probably wouldn't get the job.

I retract my idea. Don't do fireworks.