Should I use a recruiter agency to find my first IT Help desk job? Need advice.

I was thinking about using a recruiter to find my first IT job (most likely contract). About me: I have no experience, I have A+, N+, Sec+, and a AA degree. Planning to put those certs and AA degree on my resume and turn it in to the recruiter agency.

I'm looking for a help desk support level 1. (I want to start from the ground up).

Question 1:
Should I use a recruiting agency? Why or why not.

Question 2:
If the recruiter see that I have those certs on my resume, would I have a better chance of getting a the job?

Thank you so much in advance my forum friends!

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EnderWiggin

I would never contact a recruiter and ask them to find me a job. Instead, just post your resume online and let the recruiters come to you. Then you can use leverage to get more money out of them, because they're coming to you. They can smell desperation, so don't give them the opportunity.

And yes, absolutely put your certifications on your resume, as well as your degree.

With no experience, you may want to consider putting a "Technical Skills" section on your resume, stating what kind of stuff you're familiar with. If you have a home lab, list what you play with on there. Etc etc....

faintingheart

How do I post my resume online and let them find me? I have a Linkedin account and barely any body or even recruiter looks at it. I have about 15 connected people on there. Can you give me advice on how to post resume online?

EANx

It's always better to let people come to you but for your first job, get it any way you can. In my case, a 20+ year career started with a temp job through Apple One, a company that specialized in office temp, not IT temp. It's far easier to get a job once you have actual experience, get it any way you have to.

faintingheart

Yes i went to Apple One with older sister 5-7 years ago, she was looking for an Accounting job. At that time i didn't know much about it. I remember that they would find her a job and take out small percentage of her paycheck. I have some apple one in my area.

EnderWiggin

faintingheart wrote: »

How do I post my resume online and let them find me? I have a Linkedin account and barely any body or even recruiter looks at it. I have about 15 connected people on there. Can you give me advice on how to post resume online?

Create an account on Indeed, Monster, Dice, etc, and just post your resume.

PocketLumberjack

EnderWiggin wrote: »

Create an account on Indeed, Monster, Dice, etc, and just post your resume.

This works, I still get recruiter emails from a resume I made 3 years ago, I used Monster and Indeed.

faintingheart

Okay understood! Thank ya'll so much for the advice!

TranceSoulBrother

Go online and find out how to optimize your LinkedIn account for recruiter search (fill it out completely, put appropriate keywords in the summary, job area, endorse some people you know who will then endorse you...maybe connect with some recruiters there, they identify themselves). Craft a good resume and post it on the regular job boards and change/update it every so often to keep it up top on searches..
Research various job positions, maybe pick out some of the keywords and learn about them (youtube videos, google....) and then add to your resume under familiarization...

TechGromit

faintingheart wrote: »

I was thinking about using a recruiter to find my first IT job (most likely contract). About me: I have no experience, I have A+, N+, Sec+, and a AA degree. Planning to put those certs and AA degree on my resume and turn it in to the recruiter agency.

A recruiter is your last resort, especially a staffing agency recruiter. In my opinion they are scum, they are not the slightest interested in your career, just there commission. With a college degree and some certifications you can do better. Search for employers hiring and apply directly, if you don't get a job in a couple months , then you consider going to a recruiter.

soletek

You looking for level 1 work and has a lot to bring to table. Just apply directly to companies and job boards. A lot of the times recruiters will find you as they are the ones posting on the job boards. Also i would look at other postions too besides a help desk.

markulous

For my first two IT jobs I went through a recruiter. I didn't seek them out, I just applied and it happened to be through a recruiting agency. They can sometimes help you out. Just be careful because they will promise you the world a lot of times and won't follow through.

JSN

Be very cautious and research any agencies, look for reputable ones as well. I had an experience with one where I applied for an "IT Specialist" job at a military base (I am cleared). I was emailed immediately after and asked to submit a written application, they spoke to me on the phone for a few minutes. Next day I got a conditional offer. Being a bit suspicious due to the fact that I was given a job on a base as a "System Admin" ,without any experience or an in person interview I declined. Did a bit of research, and found a video of the guy that hired me threatening employees over the phone. Some of these agencies (not all) hire employees without experience, they employee them for a few months then fire them. Not trying to discourage you.

tl;dr Be careful

tpatt100

I've ran into some companies that primarily work with recruiters, I have gotten lucky a couple of times though and was contacted by a company's HR though.

mbarrett

faintingheart wrote: »

Question 1:
Should I use a recruiting agency? Why or why not.

Question 2:
If the recruiter see that I have those certs on my resume, would I have a better chance of getting a the job?

Thank you so much in advance my forum friends!

Recruiters can be a great way of connecting you with job opportunities you wouldn't otherwise know about. However, recruiters are only out for themselves in the end - if they see you as being able to place with a company, they will try to sell everybody, including you. Have a clear idea of what you want ahead of time.

If you have the certs, list them so people know your qualifications.

blargoe

For that first gig, just get in the door. Doesn't matter (much) how, just get some verifiable experience as you plan your next move.

paul78

blargoe wrote: »

For that first gig, just get in the door. Doesn't matter (much) how, just get some verifiable experience as you plan your next move.

I wholeheartedly agree. Sometimes - if you over-analyze the situation, you end up not executing.

@OP - a couple of things to keep in mind about recruiters in the US since there is much recruiter-bashing on TE lately. My comments may not apply outside the United States.

Recruiters do not find jobs for people. Recruiters find people for jobs. This is a distinction which some fail to grasp. What that means is that recruiters work for the employer as they are compensated by the employer. So the motivation of a recruiter is to satisfy the needs of the employer quickly.
Entering recruiting has a low barrier - you only need 2 sides - sourcing and sales. In larger firms, the sourcing side are people that are hunting resumes and the sales side are people looking for employers. The sales account recruiter is the person that is working with the customer to get agreement to fill open positions. Because of the low-barrier to entry, you will run into all types firms and people who have varying degree of experience and professionalism.
Companies use recruiters because
- they don't have internal talent acquisition function and the cost for management to self-recruit is too expensive
- the roi to fill the position justifies using a recruiter
- candidate pool is not wide enough
There are several kinds of recruiters and they all work differently.

[LIST=1|INDENT=1]
[*]Internal recruiters - these are typical talent acquisition corporate professionals. They compete with contingent recruiters in some organizations. They compensation is sometimes tied savings from external recruiters and sourced candidates.
[*]Contingent recruiters - these are recruiters that are paid when they fill a position at their client. The normal rate is between 15% to 25% of base compensation with the standard minimum being 20%. Employers are willing to pay a higher rate because that motivates the recruiter to pass the resume to them first. I usually will pay about 20% for tough to fill positions - like Data Scientists. But I usually work with small boutique recruiters who I've developed relationships over the years who may offer me 15% generally for positions where the base is 100K+.
[*]Staffing recruiters - these are recruiters that work for body shops. Essentially companies that labor arbitrage or offer outsource services. Generally for these folks - it's a numbers game. Fill headcount quickly. I'm less familiar with this business model and how recruiters are compensated.
[*]Retained recruiters - these recruiters are hired to source hard-to-fill positions under an exclusive time-boxed arrangement. Payment is up-front - usually 1/3 of the estimated fee. It's usually used to fill senior management positions. The retained recruiters are typically the most polished and well-networked recruiters. In my experience - standard fees range from 50K+ per engagement or 35% of base.
[/LIST]
So all that said - companies usually don't use recruiters to fill entry-level positions unless they are in a rush, don't have adequate talent acquisition, or they are staffing firms looking to labor arbitrage. At your level, recruiters are likely to only provide a cursory look at you unless they are the type of recruiter that has enough customers and they have volume business.

Either way - as @blargoe more eloquently put - "just get in the door" - doesn't matter if recruiter, friend, direct, etc.

Good luck in your search.

kurosaki00

Are you still in school? Why not find a job via school/internship/coop ?

If not, then... get your resume ready and apply via all means.

NetworkingStudent

So here is what I would if I was you.
1) Finish your resume and have someone look it over. Your school can do this. Also, your family and/or friends can look over the resume too.
2) If you’re not working now, can you do some IT volunteer work? Volunteer match has a lot of volunteer jobs. You can add this to your resume.
a. Here is the link:
b. https://www.volunteermatch.org/volunteers/

In regarding to your questions:

Question 1:
Should I use a recruiting agency? Why or why not.
Here’s Why:
Yes, you’re just starting out, so I would use a recruiting agency.
You need to have a list of your requirements though, for example.
Travel up 50 miles.
Make 10.00 or more an hour.
Need Contact to hire.
Can only work 3rd shift

Why Not?
Just be careful when working with recruiters, because they DO NOT have your best interest in mind. They often need a warm body to fill a position. The recruiter works for the client/customer not you!! You need to get all the details on the position..pay, contract length, ect

Question 2:
If the recruiter see that I have those certs on my resume, would I have a better chance of getting a the job?
I would definitely put the certs on you resume, because the employer the recruiting company works for often see’s your resume, and make the final hiring decision.

NetworkingStudent

Hi Fainting Heart
Some Tips:
1) Others have said this, but please do not go to recruiters directly.
a. Apply for jobs on Dice, Monster, Career builder,jobs Indeed,Zip Recuiter..ect

2) You ask how to post you resume on Dice? Here’s a link for that.
a. How to Upload Your New Resume to Dice - Dice Insights

3) Get the following from the recruiter Job description ,Contact length,pay,ect…
a. If you’re not working now, just take what you can get to get your foot in the door and get some experience.

4) Also, If you’re not working, then try to apply for 3-5 jobs a day. Keep track of the jobs you’re apply for in Excel. Comany name, title ect

GOOD LUCK!!!

joemc3

Be very careful of giving what you would like in compensation up front. Ask what the position pay range is. If you go in saying I would be happy with $15 and the position range is $20 to$ 25. They will be more than happy to give you that $15. I just had a conversation with a recruiter last week who contacted me for a position. He felt I was great for the position and said he would get back with me on the job description. I have e-mailed him twice, and it has been over a week. I have been through this before, and it happens with all these firms.

networker050184

I don't see the problem with going to a recruiter directly. Especially when first starting out. Use every resource you have. You'll have plenty time to be choosy down the road.

Good luck!

LaSeeno

Do ANYTHING you can to get interest. This is your first position and there will be a ton of competition. Do you have any friends or family in the industry?; this is your best bet.

If I were in your shoes I would:

Post my resume online, check your colleges career placement office, reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn when applying for positions they represent, and of course apply directly. I would even go the extra mile when applying directly and find out who the hiring manager is. Not HR, but who will be making the final hiring decision. I would possibly contact them directly if they have a professional profile somewhere like LinkedIn and let them know you applied and look forward to a personal interview to start your career in a field you're passionate about. NOT personal like Facebook!

When you finally get that interview. Make sure you stress and show how great you are at customer service and dealing with people. Your first few years in IT will most likely be very heavy in customer service.

faintingheart

@paul78 thanks for that detailed info about recruiters.

@kurosaki00- yes I'm still in school, I go to WGU. Should I go for internships instead since I'm in college right now? Is it easier to get a Internship than a regular job? I want to get my foot in the door. I don't think WGU have internship programs though, but I will get my resume ready soon and start applying.

@NetworkingStudent Yeah I would love to do volunteer work, accept I can't find anything related to my career. What kind of work should i keep an eye out for if i use Volunteer match.org? I had searched on volunteer-match in the past, but there are a lot of programming and web development, and almost zero IT. Do you have any tips that i can get that would open me for opportunities at volunteer match? Maybe I am doing something wrong.

@joemc3 I hope that doesn't happen. I wouldn't want to be under pay.

kiki162

1. HELLLLL NO

2. See #1

Here's the deal, you are more likely to get a job if you go direct to the employer. I'm not fond of recruiters in general, especially when most of them do NOT have any skills, or understand the business. Going direct cuts the middleman out. The biggest thing that I WOULD recommend is to fix that resume up. Companies such as evisors.com will give you a real world look at your resume from IT professionals. You do enough research, you'll find plenty to configure that resume for free.

Since you are fresh out of school and are looking at getting a help desk job, you have 2 options. You can either apply for a paid Internship somewhere, or take the time to start studying for more certs. The biggest thing that helped me break into a help desk job was the MCSE. At a min. I would at least get your MCSA. It all depends on what YOU bring to the table that sets you apart from the rest. Anywhere that you can volunteer, intern, or work part time will help you.

NetworkingStudent

faintingheart wrote: »

@paul78 thanks for that detailed info about recruiters.
@NetworkingStudent Yeah I would love to do volunteer work, accept I can't find anything related to my career. What kind of work should i keep an eye out for if i use Volunteer match.org? I had searched on volunteer-match in the past, but there are a lot of programming and web development, and almost zero IT. Do you have any tips that i can get that would open me for opportunities at volunteer match? Maybe I am doing something wrong.

Watch the video below for the advance search on volunteer match. Use keywords. I used Computers to find volunteer jobs. It could be anything from helping senior citizens with writting emails and getting on facebook, to helping an organization setup or fix PCs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZxUw-iNE9c

You need to hustle everyday!!! Here's some videos to watch that will give you an idea on what to do while your searching for an IT job:

Getting an I.T. Job with No Experience - Information Technology Job Questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsacUGGZRrg&feature=youtu.be

How Can I Get IT Experience Before Getting A Job?
https://youtu.be/COfjnjkZRxY

Have you looked for any internships?

Internships

Good Luck!!

faintingheart

thanks kiki and networking student: Those are very helpfui advice!