Network Engineers - How did you find your job?

To all those that are in networking, how did you find your job?

I have been looking through job searching sites but I am only finding jobs that are way way out of my league or below my experience level (Level One NOC Jobs, Desktop/Cisco Inventory jobs, etc). I am really interested in going back to be a network engineer again and haven't been out of it that long (6 months). I want to show a company I learn quick and want to grow but I think I am just searching the wrong things on these job sites. I am trying my best to not to have to use a recruiter.

Did you use a job site?
- I've been trying illinoisjobnetwork.com, dice.com, indeed.com, simplyhired.com

Did you apply to the companies directly or go to major corporate sites and look at their listings there?

What kind of "keywords" did you use when searching?
- I have been trying cisco, networking, network engineer, network admin, ccna, engineer, systems admin (which I learned is getting me more MS job results than network engineer jobs).

Can anyone give any suggestions so maybe I can help get better results? I am raring to get those interviews going!

Thanks for all the help from everyone so far!

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Comments

FloOz

I used dice, monster, linkedin, and careerbuilder. I also applied to many companies directly. Speaking to recruiters also could potentially be a huge help. My first networking job which I started about 3 months ago I got through Monster.com.

The keywords I would search for are nearly identical to the ones you listed. Just keep applying and keep your head up. I am sure a job will come up.

darkerz

Random Recruiter:

"Hey do you know Cisco and router configuration?"

Me 4 years ago:

"Sure, I read about it in a CCENT book and prepared my own lab"

Random Recruited:

"Ok lets get you signed up".

I still, to this day, barely know what i'm doing and getting paid too much for that.

veritas_libertas

I'm finding it difficult in my area to obtain a Network Engineering job. All I'm asking for is the following:

Day time hours
Pay above what I'm making.

It doesn't even have to include 100% work networking, i.e. routers and switches. I would even be willing to work with servers...

kohr-ah

My main reason for trying to not use recruiters isn't because they are recruiters it is mostly because they have nothing to offer for insurance which I need for my wee ones

@FloOz okay so I at least I know I have the right idea

I have 2 years experience with catalyst switches , 5520 as a, core 6500s, 1242 wireless APS and associated controllers , but unfortunately little routing experience which I'd love to get especially since I am studying my ccnp route now.

Been trying to pick up on nexus 1000v switches at work but they keep side tracking me so very little experience but I am trying

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I'm finding it difficult in my area to obtain a Network Engineering job. All I'm asking for is the following:

Day time hours

Pay above what I'm making.

It doesn't even have to include 100% work networking, i.e. routers and switches. I would even be willing to work with servers...

In Greenville I figure you'd have decent luck.

I used to live in Greer.

What about spartanburg or Georgia is only an hour away .
I trying to remember what major companies were about 30 minutes around there as I used to deliver to them. If I remember any I will IM you.

veritas_libertas

I appreciate that.

Good luck with your search. Chicago is a big city and I'm sure you will find something.

Hmm. I'm not sure how to interpret that question or if I should even try.

kohr-ah

... So.. Apparently I learned today about how recruiters work compared to last time I worked for them.

When I used a recruiter last I worked for their agency and if I was lucky I got hired after the contract ended and they had terrible insurance and usually took a cut of my pay.

I didn't know that there are some recruiters that just look to put me in a company on the spot and get a spiff for doing so. :P
I kind of think I should of known this (and feel silly that I didnt) but now I know and will use them from now on if contacted

Thanks again to everyone!

btowntech

Also remember that there are corporate recruiters and job placement recruiters. I've networked with some of the corporate recruiters on LinkedIn. You can always tell the job placement recruiters that you are only interested in direct placement jobs.

FloOz

kohr-ah wrote: »

My main reason for trying to not use recruiters isn't because they are recruiters it is mostly because they have nothing to offer for insurance which I need for my wee ones

@FloOz okay so I at least I know I have the right idea I have 2 years experience with catalyst switches , 5520 as a, core 6500s, 1242 wireless APS and associated controllers , but unfortunately little routing experience which I'd love to get especially since I am studying my ccnp route now.

Been trying to pick up on nexus 1000v switches at work but they keep side tracking me so very little experience but I am trying

Yah man you have a lot more experience then I so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a job.

BigD5X

Hey, I'm from Chicago, I must say that contracts were plentiful when I was there in 2011. down here in Greenville SC, job market very slow. But its a lot safer. No car jacking or drive bys. Yes Chicago have jobs and big city problems come with it.
Believe it or not, Greenville was voted 3rd best place to live in america.

kohr-ah

@BigD5X

I used to live in Greer off Pelham road over by Michelin building.

Was a wonderful and beautiful place to live but we missed Illinois / Chicago suburbs and moved back.

Today I updated my LinkedIn profile and posted my resume to dice.com. I also received an offer from a place I was temporarily assigned to before but it isn't set in stone yet.

tbhouston

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I'm finding it difficult in my area to obtain a Network Engineering job. All I'm asking for is the following:
Day time hours

Pay above what I'm making.

It doesn't even have to include 100% work networking, i.e. routers and switches. I would even be willing to work with servers...

1.) Day time hours
2.) Networking engineering job

pick one

veritas_libertas

I'm not sure what you are trying to say. If you mean I have to choose between the two than I disagree. To each their own.

W Stewart

darkerz wrote: »

Random Recruiter:

"Hey do you know Cisco and router configuration?"

Me 4 years ago:

"Sure, I read about it in a CCENT book and prepared my own lab"

Random Recruited:

"Ok lets get you signed up".

I still, to this day, barely know what i'm doing and getting paid too much for that.

Wow I kind of feel like at the rate I've been learning, I know too much to not be getting paid more. The thing is, I think if I were to ask for a raise and a promotion I could probably get it but it may inevitably come with less study time to finish school.

boobobobobob

I'm VERY surprised you don't get interviews... you have a very nice list of certifications. Also I personally do not like working with recruiters but they have placed me in my past 2 jobs. They work very well but are sometimes difficult to work with...

filkenjitsu

Customer service - > Technical Support - > Service Provider NOC (4 years) -> Technical Support Engineer (Ericsson Telecom Tier 3) -- > company reorg put me in a Network Engineer role! No interview!!!!

iamme4eva

I change jobs in a few weeks, just got through the interviews and stuff. Moving into a Senior Network Engineer role.

I was found on LinkedIn by a recruitment agency...I was skeptical at first, but they turned out to be the main agency for the company they were representing. Now I'm through the interviews, I will have nothing to do with the agency, they were only responsible for placing someone.

bryguy

I was working on a help desk, and one of the existing network engineers came by to scope out a cable run... He had been crawling around the floor and I offered him a Coke can out of the break room after he had finished. A year later or so, a position opened up on the networking team and I expressed interest. The networking manager hired me on the spot based on the networking engineer's recommendation that I had given the coke to. Never underestimate the power of small kind gestures.

Iristheangel

I got lucky. I was working as a security analyst for a health care system and after receiving my CCNA as part of my BS coursework, I decided to get into networking. I posted my resume and my salary requirements on Dice, Indeed, etc and got the job through a consulting firm at the pay I wanted without salary negotiating. I worked for a year as a consultant and they hired me as a FTE just a couple of weeks ago. This is the second job in a row where I started as a consultant or contractor, worked for awhile and then was offered a FTE because of it.

kohr-ah

I am hoping the same! I got a call from a recruiter I worked with 4 years ago and saw my resume posted online. Asked what I was looking for and I said I need to work in Cisco as it is my passion and my current place isn't delivering. She is doing an amazing job getting jobs set up for me much better than I have been on my own.

Hopefully I will be on to the next job in the next month!

instant000

Typically: Recruiter makes first contact.

Keep your resume updated. You want to be the most attractive candidate for the job.

Don't be afraid to state your rate up front. It prevents any further non-serious contact.

kohr-ah

instant000 wrote: »

Don't be afraid to state your rate up front. It prevents any further non-serious contact.

Did that yesterday. She was quite cooperative. I have worked with her in the past and I like her because she doesn't just find a job to stick you in (which seems to be the usual I am finding so far) she wants to put one in where what I am trying to specialize in (Networking) can be used.