What job?

fugi1 · November 2003

Do you think i can get a job with the certs i have? I've looked at plenty of networking and PC Tech jobs but these certs don't mean anything to them! They never mention these, it looks like i would need to at least get my MCSE just to get my foot in the door. I'm currently studying MCP 70-270 and i'm desperate for a job so i can get the hands-on experience i'm currently lacking. I have an interview this week my job agency and they will ask what type of work i'm looking for, where do you think i can realistically start?

Webmaster · November 2003

Realistic would be a support function, i.e. a call desk or PC repair technician. I don't think anyone got a job in the networking field with 'just' Net+.

A calldesk/first level support job might not sound attractive, but it really is one of the best places to start. You will get insight in how an (IT-) organization operates and you will develop a lot of patience and people skills, all these things are at least as important as techinical know-how.

After doing that for a couple of months to a year, more doors will open for you after that, especially when you continue to take exams (MCSA/MCSE/CCNA etc.)

A typical road I've seen hundreds of people take is:
1st level support(calldesk/helpdesk) --> 2nd level support (solving user problems that 1st level can't handle due to lack of knowledge or time.) --> system admin (usually in larger organizations no direct contact with users, task include backups/restores, server maintenance etc, software deployment, user account management.) --> system engineer (implementing infrastructures, new servers, large scale software deployment etc.) or network engineer/designer... at some point you will have to make a choice, in the early years of your carreer you will probably be an all-rounder, knowing something about everything. Later on you'll probably chooce a specialization, knowing everything about something.

What worked for me is taking as many different jobs as possible (short-term, weeks/months) just to build a CV. Don't be to critical when you just start out, you will learn something from every job.

Good luck with the interview!

fugi1 · November 2003

I've looked at first level support jobs, and they still require at least 12 to 18 months experience. I was advised to go for any type of IT job, even if it's not related to what certs i've achieved just so i can start somewhere

Webmaster · November 2003

so i probably couldn't even ask for a basic networking job, if there is such a thing?

Exactly, in general, there is no such thing. Some consider cabling and hardware installation a basic networking job, but the people that do it are usually quite the specialists.

Ideal would be an allround sys admin job at a small company (less than 100 users) with a very small (preferably 1 or 2 people) IT departement. They usually hire external companies to implement the network, but leave the basic networking tasks to the sys admin (in case there isn't a network/LAN/WAN admin/engineer). At some point, for certain more advanced tasks, you may want to try and convince your employer to let you do the job, instead of hiring expensive external specialists...

I'm on the verge of achieving my MCP, do you think that will make much of a difference with an MCP on my CV?

Depends on the job, but for the support type of jobs I described: definitely. Especially if you become MCP by taking the client exam for the same client as they use. Vendor-neutral exam are good to start with, good for the basics, and you can benifit from it your entire life, but to companies a vendor cert makes a whole lot of difference, of course when they use software or hardware from that vendor... and since most of them use MS and Cisco...

fugi1 · November 2003

Thanks for the reply, just want to know if you think it would be wrong for me to just concentrate on my MCSA/MCSE track for the next several months and once i achieve it and have the relevant knowledge, then start to look for work? The reason why is that cos i have no experience, i don't think employers would even consider calling me up for an interview unless i had one of these certs.

Webmaster · November 2003

If you can afford, and want, to study full-time, you could study for MCSE first, but don't get your hopes up to much because without experience you'd still be looking at the same type of jobs. But with MCSE you'll have more chance of landing one, at perhaps a better (usually means larger) organization, for a higher pay.

but then again, the extra job experience on your resume can make a lot of difference to many employers.

fugi1 · November 2003

great, that's just what i wanted to hear, i appreciate your help

Ghent · November 2003

Entry-level call desk really is the best thing out there for starting. I started as an entry level tech a year ago, and am now supervising a team of oracle specialists. Of course that's one of the screwy things about the tech field, you change titles a lot. In the past 3 months I've gone for entry level tech, to Mac expert, to Oracle Supervising specialists. It just means that the certs they want me to get changes from time to time, but it's all paid for, and it's all good. Just stick with it, and entry-level can really turn into something great.

carbunkle · November 2003

I am having no luck finding any entry level job in my area. At this rate I will be lucky if I can get a job with a company that even owns a computer. I live in a small area so maybe its just me but things dont look that good for tech jobs right now

What job?

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