Can I get a helpdesk job with these certs?

aeeron121

I recently decided I wanted to try and pursue some type of career with IT work. I self paced/self studied for CompTIA A+ 801, 802 and passed both with a 810, and 790. I took Microsoft 70-680 and also passed these took me a total of two months. I only have a associates which I am completing this may and its not computer science or IT related ( Its criminal justice), and I have 3 years work experience in customer service as my only job experience (its not in a computer related field).

I am at the point where I need a job, I took those certifications to try and break into the IT field and eventually get some type of entry helpdesk job and get some experience while working on something higher level or deciding to go back to school. There are virtually no "IT" programs around me, and the one tech school offers a 18 month $26,00 program to "prepare for A+, Net+, MCP".. well I already have A+, and one half of whats needed to be called a MSCA in windows 7 so there is no point in that program.

Almost every job posting I'm seeing has requirements much higher than the job is worth in pay.. for instance seeing $15-$18 a hour postings that are looking for 3+ years experience and a BS? I mean I understand some of these places are possibly dealing with sensitive information and or looking for experienced people.. but how is someone like me going to break into this field with no computer work experience when jobs are requiring things beyond the realm of what is truly needed? I mean I have the experience needed, just nothing to say I worked here and did this.. its more like well at my house I did have this problem and I fixed it.

I wanted to add that its not like I am a amazing studier either. I have a lot of experience installing my own hardware, building my own computers (I've built three now) and troubleshooting my own problems with my computers that made the tests very easy. I am by no means a good tester, but I had free time to study.

stryder144

Depending on where you are from, the certs you have are definitely great for getting a foot in the door. As to the requirements that a lot of companies put in their job postings, those are more a wish list scenario. So, apply anyway. You never know what the outcome will be.

SweenMachine

stryder144 wrote: »

Depending on where you are from, the certs you have are definitely great for getting a foot in the door. As to the requirements that a lot of companies put in their job postings, those are more a wish list scenario. So, apply anyway. You never know what the outcome will be.

I agree with this.

As mentioned before. I used to do the hiring interviews for a large help desk. The talent group would put all these unneeded requirements like bachelors, 3 years + experience but truth be told, if you look good enough on paper you will get the interview. I hired people with no experience, degrees, no degrees, certs, no certs..

Just apply.. you have nothing to lose and I think you have a good foundation, esp with the A+ and the MCTS to get a help desk job

-scott

markulous

I hadn't even graduated with my Associate's, had no certs, and only a little volunteer remote IT experience for a website, and I was able to get a help desk job. Granted, it was one of those really crappy ones where you are only allowed to do a handful of things and the pay was very poor, but after 3 months there I was able to get on at a MSP at a help desk with almost full end-user support. You never know until you apply. If you can get into an interview, then you've already won half the battle and just need to sell yourself.

puertorico1985

I agree with everyone here. You have a very good foundation, and the desire to learn. Apply to jobs, and be very, very sure to sell yourself (enthusiasm, motivation, etc...) during the interview and you will get the job. You are doing a great job in preparing yourself, and dedicating yourself to your studies, and TBH you are more qualified than I was when I first joined IT. You are on the right path.

aeeron121

Okay guys thanks, I am just the type of person to over analyze and research stuff before I get into it. I might start a different certification right now because I don't know if I'm ready for the enterprise windows 7 support test, feel like I need experience for it. Might work on security+ or get a mos certification

unfbilly11

You brought up a good point that really irks me about job listings... Companies that ask for ridiculous certifications and credentials just for an entry level job. Asking me to have an MCSA, CCNP, and a Computer Science degree for a $15 hr job is laughable. I agree with what others have said about that being a best case scenario for the company, but seriously, be a little realistic. It's not just something that a few places do either...I see it everywhere. I think the problem lies in that most HR hiring people don't know what kind of experience and credentials are involved in getting the CCNP or MCSE. Either that, or their mentality is "If this guy can build my entire network infrastructure from the ground up, he's probably good enough to find out why I can't connect to WiFi".

Anyways, I think everyone else has already answered your question so good luck with everything! I think adding the Sec+ would look good on the resume.

Michael2

I don't think the Sec+ is worth getting but I took it three years ago so it might be different now. I'm not going to renew mine, though. But I digress. Whether you can get a help desk job or not depends on whether their are centers in your area and how badly they need people. I've seen plenty of people in these forums talking about how they had no experience, no education beyond high school, one certification, and still got the job. That makes sense because all you do is use manuals to troubleshoot systems over the phone. Unfortunately, not all of us are so fortunate as to land this type of job. If your search for a help desk position isn't paying off, you can also try for field tech. Just post your resume on CraigsList and wait for someone with a computer repair business to call. Sure, you might not be working every day and you'll have to travel a lot (you can't do it if you don't have 'round the clock access to a vehicle and a clean record). Also, you need a smart phone and a laptop. The main benefit is that you get exposure to a lot of different types of technology. I'm talking actual physical exposure, not just diagrams from technical manuals.

aeeron121

unfbilly11 wrote: »

You brought up a good point that really irks me about job listings... Companies that ask for ridiculous certifications and credentials just for an entry level job. Asking me to have an MCSA, CCNP, and a Computer Science degree for a $15 hr job is laughable. I agree with what others have said about that being a best case scenario for the company, but seriously, be a little realistic. It's not just something that a few places do either...I see it everywhere. I think the problem lies in that most HR hiring people don't know what kind of experience and credentials are involved in getting the CCNP or MCSE. Either that, or their mentality is "If this guy can build my entire network infrastructure from the ground up, he's probably good enough to find out why I can't connect to WiFi".

Anyways, I think everyone else has already answered your question so good luck with everything! I think adding the Sec+ would look good on the resume.

Exactly, I am looking at these job postings and if I had the qualifications I know I would be worth a lot more than 15/hr.. more like $25+ an hour. Seeing these jobs asking for a 4 year degree and 3+ years experience to answer a phone and possibly go backup someones data... just ridiculous. Maybe they are just trying to weed out people that have NO credentials. I've seen a FEW with minimal requirements that probably pay $14-$16 (in Connecticut) but they are all about 45minutes away from where I live, I have a car but its not the most reliable so it could be a issue. I'm hoping closer to summer I see some postings like schools trying to upgrade there systems that I could get on with.

I don't even know where some of the postings come off saying Computer Science BS is required, computer science has very little to do with troubleshooting why a monitor isn't working, why a computer is overheating, deploying a image, etc.

I'd prefer working as a field tech, but of course those jobs look for even more experience it seems. Even though at my current criminal justice internship I've seen the field tech come in three times, one time to install a amd graphics driver because the screen was flickering and display driver crashing (real hard to figure out right?), once to configure someones laptop with microsoft office 2013 suite for a laptop and once to backup the detectives dslr camera's SD cards.


I'm probably being a little pessimistic about the whole thing, obviously I'm not entitled to anything just for passing three tests. Just not understanding where these HR people are coming off asking for requirements that are beyond the realm of entry tech positions.

Cert Poor

+1 for unfbilly11 and aeeron121! It irks me as well. It's almost like HR people are writing the job listing rather than the IT hiring managers.

I've seen: "CCNA or CCIE would be a plus" and "Security+ or CISSP". Um, what? Agree with the Computer Science degree. It has very little to do with a lot of IT fields.

bugzy3188

I have a MCITP (70-680 and 70-681) with just under 2 years experience with no degree and just landed an interview for a position that posted 5 years experience and a bachelors in their "requirements". Obviously every situation is different and I have no clue if I will land the job or not, but it is possible, mind you I spent A LOT of time brushing up my resume and getting it out there.