Still no job after getting CCENT. Soon to get CCNA in december.

Hey everyone,

I've been having a really hard time getting a job after passing my CCENT in August of 2015. I know that's only entry level but I thought I would at least be able to snag a Jr. network admin position. The only thing I ever get offered are basic IT support jobs and I've been doing that since 2010-2012 roughly. I also have an AA degree in computer info. systems.

I plan on getting my CCNA next month, or January at the latest, but now I find myself questioning if it would even change anything. I'm really passionate about network engineering so I'm most likely still going to push forward and get the CCNA but I'm just having a hard time and was hoping someone could shed some light on my situation.

To make matters worse, all employers seem so strict and up-tight about every little aspect of my personal life and background. I'm not a felon at all. The worse thing I did was smoke weed in high school (possession ticket) and 1 petty theft when I was 18 (I'm now 28 but it's still on my record which is total bull-*******-**** if you ask me). How is someone supposed to live a happy life if they can't get a job that pays them enough to live a clean and easy-going life? I've done everything the system has asked of me and still I get stiffed. I'm so frustrated....sorry for venting, I just hope someone here is nice enough to tell me what I'm missing maybe....thanks

Find more posts tagged with

Free for TechExams community: Cybersecurity salary guide

Compare cert salaries and plan your next career move

Button

Comments

Simrid

Well, look on the bright side - You're now studying towards a well respected certification which will benefit you massively.

I am 19, I am studying for my CCNP. When I had my CCENT I couldn't find a job either, I think the CCNA is the crucial bit to get if i'm honest. I actually landed my job a day before my CCNA exam which was a mental few days but all good fun. Keep cracking on.

Unfortunately it's the way of the industry, you maybe dealing with senstive data therefore security checks have to be in place in a lot of companies.

Danielm7

The arrest at 18, was that a misdemeanor or a felony? Any way to get it expunged after 10 years?

Outside of that, do you have any networking type things on your resume outside of the CCENT? Maybe stuff you've handled at helpdesk? Maybe a way to tweak that?

BradleyHU

Danielm7 wrote: »

The arrest at 18, was that a misdemeanor or a felony? Any way to get it expunged after 10 years?

Outside of that, do you have any networking type things on your resume outside of the CCENT? Maybe stuff you've handled at helpdesk? Maybe a way to tweak that?

he wasn't a minor at the time...there's no way that's getting expunged...

this isn't like your driving history where your points & suspensions go off your record after 5 years...

olaHalo

If youre not getting job offers its likely due to lack of experience.
Think about doing internships somewhere. Even accept something unpaid.
The experience is more valuable than the certification.

impelse

Get any job in IT doesn't matter if it is networking, then with little more experience you will be able to move on to the position you want.

Mow

What can I do About a Misdemeanor Record? (with pictures)

CCENT isn't as well known as CCNA. Get your CCNA and keep trying. Build up a network of peers, go to local meetings, join a CUG, or start one.

Danielm7

BradleyHU wrote: »

he wasn't a minor at the time...there's no way that's getting expunged...

this isn't like your driving history where your points & suspensions go off your record after 5 years...

Really? Because I read about people doing it pretty frequently with non-violent crimes and a good lawyer. I'd say looking into anything is worth a shot vs just accepting that you'll never pass a background screen for the rest of your life.

TacoRocket

Danielm7 wrote: »

Really? Because I read about people doing it pretty frequently with non-violent crimes and a good lawyer. I'd say looking into anything is worth a shot vs just accepting that you'll never pass a background screen for the rest of your life.

It's not really getting rejected for a lifetime. It's about being upfront about it. You don't have be branded as criminal scum always. Show that it is not a repeating habit and personal growth and you can overcome quite a bit.

Experience in the field always helps though.

bpenn

I dont think I have EVER seen a job posting asking for CCENT. Once you get that CCNA your prospects will increase. LOTS of jobs ask for CCNA - even non-networking jobs sometimes!

johnnyarks

you wouldn't want the salary of a job who's requirement is "CCENT".

CCENT holds no weight, CCNA hardly holds any weight, its always experience.

yellowpad

No get discourage. I have CCNA, Security+, A+, and still haven't gotten my foot in the network or security door. I also have close to 4 years experience in desktop. Keep studying. Get your bachelor...and don't stop until you got to your goal.

Simrid

You can definately get a job with just a CCNA, infact I got my new job as a network engineer a day before I passed my CCNA, so I guess I got it as a CCENT. Stick at it, you'll get there for sure.

TWX

It's kind of a raw deal, the certs. I've gone through some old CCNA materials from a decade+ ago and honestly CCENT now is basically what CCNA was back then. It's not valued because employers don't understand that CCNA now is starting to approach what CCNP was back then. They still look at the labels and see them the same as they were, not what they've become.

That said, CCENT is more of a primer, to prepare a novice to possibly go for CCNA R&S, or Wireless, or some other Associate-level cert. That's part why I am simply shooting for the CCNA R&S and not bothering with the CCENT cert, it doesn't do anything for me as I already have the entry-level stuff down and have work experience.

As for your past, sorry to hear that it's holding you back, but we are all judged for our choices. I've made some choices that have effectively steered me in a direction that cannot be readily changed even if those choices don't have anything to do with running afoul of the authorities, but nonetheless, I am limited by them. That is life.

yellowpad

It may be the case in the UK. But in the USA, it is different...even here, it varies from states to states....cities to cities. I may be wrong, but a numbers of applications I tested, came back asking me my relevant experience.

yellowpad wrote: »

No get discourage. I have CCNA, Security+, A+, and still haven't gotten my foot in the network or security door. I also have close to 4 years experience in desktop. Keep studying. Get your bachelor...and don't stop until you got to your goal.

ImThe0ne

TWX wrote: »

It's kind of a raw deal, the certs. I've gone through some old CCNA materials from a decade+ ago and honestly CCENT now is basically what CCNA was back then. It's not valued because employers don't understand that CCNA now is starting to approach what CCNP was back then.

There is so much truth to this! Expectations for each certification have drastically changed and have bumped themselves up in knowledge level, but since they stayed the same, nobody ever checked up.

the_Grinch

*Definitely consult an attorney in regards to your possession charge* I had a friend in a similar position and she was able to get it taken off of her record. You don't specify when you received the possession charge so that may or may not be affecting you (since if you were under 18 at the time it shouldn't be a huge issue to get it expunged). Petty theft is definitely tougher and of course an employer will be concerned when seeing it. But you should be able to articulate that both of these were decisions of an un-matured mind who has gone on to see the error of his ways and succeed (having completed a college degree and a certification). If you performed any community service, I would highlight that you had completed it to repay your debt to society.

As others have stated the CCENT hasn't gotten much in the way of support from the industry so I suspect once you have the CCNA you will hear more. Based off of your post I cannot see whether you are currently working in IT support or if you only did between 2010-2012? If it is the latter, then that gap between 2012 and today is definitely going to hurt your chances of receiving a call. Sometimes we have to suck up our pride and take any job offer in the industry to get our feet wet before getting the job we'd like.

draught

Also note that having a CCNA isn't a magic ticket to getting a job. No certification is going to that for you but they do definitely open doors.

Remedymp

CCENT's roles are usually found in the Data Center or Co-Lo providers or Service Providers. Rackspace, Akamai, Comcast, etc.

Pheonyx

Thank you all for your insight! Helpful. I just got a job as IT Support Engineer so I guess this could be a stepping stone to where I'd like to be someday. Meanwhile, I'll be taking my CCNA in January, wish me luck and thanks again everyone, means a lot.

nascar_paul

Congratulations and keep on going! You're in a great area to grow in the industry!

yellowpad

Congrats!!

Pheonyx wrote: »

Thank you all for your insight! Helpful. I just got a job as IT Support Engineer so I guess this could be a stepping stone to where I'd like to be someday. Meanwhile, I'll be taking my CCNA in January, wish me luck and thanks again everyone, means a lot.

thua

Good news. Keep going. Hope you will get what you want.

Chev Chellios

Congrats on the new job- sounds like a good role as well!

Pheonyx

Thank you

yeah its not bad, my boss is nice. Only con is sitting in traffic to and from work, but I guess most of us deal with that eh? lol

Chev Chellios

Sounds good dude! Traffic is the bane of most of our lives, although on the flip side you can always use it as learning time with podcasts or such like for certs

gabby4hi

keep reading aquire those cert one day u might get ur first job