Applying to jobs with no experience in the IT field?

So I am a recent graduate with a 2 year degree in IT and have my A+ cert. but have no work experience in the IT field.
Should I even waist my time applying to jobs that require 1-2 years experience?
I would like some advice as what to do because there are zero entry level IT jobs showing up in my area and I really need the experience.

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Comments

Essendon

Apply anyway, the worse they can say is No. Have you got a lab at home, put something about that in your resume perhaps.

Volunteer maybe? NOC/ISP's/mom and pop shops are usually hiring.

greenerek

Hi,

Do not bother to much gaining more certs.Certs are worth only if you have also experience. I might recommend to gain entry certs(network + , ccna etc). Try to get any experience you can, for example : fixing computers for friends, setting -up small networks for shops etc. You can always say that in your spare time you work in IT field. apply, apply, and finally you will get a job. Some companies do not required experience in first line jobs, but knowledge.
Anyway this is what I did and at the end I have landed in IT.

Rosco2382

Like others have said, just apply. If they say no, then move on. I feel experience with interviews helps you in the long run. Keeps you from being nervous also a general idea of what will be asked. Just keep applying someone will give you the chance to prove yourself.

SlayerX

Well I have lots of years personally building computers from buying parts at newegg and troubleshooting widows xp - windows 7 I can install drivers and do all that a level 1 desk tech could do and I have network experience from installing routers and setting up Mac addressing and port forwarding and I understand common protocols of DNS. DHCP, TCP/IP, UDP, FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, and port forwarding this is just a brief cover of what I know.

So how should I word that I have personal experience on my resume?

Meditator

Keep applying, get w/ someone in the field. I have a guy just started at my NOC w/ no IT experience and no certification either- only a 4 years (non-IT) degree. But he is definitely willing to learn.

Xyro

SlayerX wrote: »

So how should I word that I have personal experience on my resume?

This is my question also. For now, I have just placed a "knowledge of ..." section on my resume. It seemed to have functioned well, but I've only had 1 opportunity to "test it out". I got the job.

I'm hoping to find a superior option.

N2IT

Like everyone else says, keep applying. You'll get there, A+ and a 2 year IT degree isn't bad at all.

Master Of Puppets

N2IT wrote: »

Like everyone else says, keep applying. You'll get there, A+ and a 2 year IT degree isn't bad at all.

I absolutely agree. Nothing should stop you from applying. I got my current job without meeting even half of the requirements they listed.

boobobobobob

Apply to everything!

SlayerX

I will take everyone's advice and apply to everything that I can.

Here is the resume I have been using, any thoughts on how I can make it stand out more? So far I have gotten 2-3 interviews using it. I feel like I need to add more to my skills. I know common protocols and how TCP/IP, DHCP and DNS work and port numbers. I am just wondering what else I can add to my resume that will help me?

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Test Resume.pdf

TechExams Resume Test.pdf

Michael2

If you don't have experience, no company will hire you. You'll have to start out as a contractor. Just put your resume on Craigs List. Worked for me.

coreyb80

Michael2 wrote: »

If you don't have experience, no company will hire you. You'll have to start out as a contractor. Just put your resume on Craigs List. Worked for me.

This is false and a couple of posts before yours proves that. Some companies will take the chance especially if you sell yourself to them in the interview.

N2IT

Having the office certification can help to. It shows you can go into a service desk and not only support technical issues or incidents but also the how-to questions in PowerPoint and Word. Two really big applications that end users have questions. I think you are primed to go.

New2ITinCali

I'm kind of in the same boat as you. You NEED to do an internship, that's how I started to land interviews. I've been on countless interviews, but I'm not giving up. At least you'll get the interviews once they see you have the experience with the internship. Volunteer as well and work on projects so they'll see you have experience. Employers want to see experience coupled with education that's what I've noticed.

YFZblu

N2IT wrote: »

Having the office certification can help to. It shows you can go into a service desk and not only support technical issues or incidents but also the how-to questions in PowerPoint and Word. Two really big applications that end users have questions. I think you are primed to go.

Ugh, I used to hate those "how do I..." calls. I get stressed out just thinking about the help desk.

greenerek

You can always say, that after hours you work for your own " IT company", and you do this and this.

N2IT

YFZ, for ~1 year I was on an MS Office how to desk lol. I know what you mean it can get dicey especially when they built their database wrong and want you to fix it. Good thing we didn't support macros or I would of cried.

Michael2

If you want to spend your time searching for that 'golden opportunity' be my guest. Most companies don't want to spend money on someone with no experience because it's risky. My advice is to do some contract work first.