I just turned down local Government IT job. Would've had to cover huge County, hundreds of PC's 365 24/7 and they offered $10 hr.
They wonder why they haven't been able to fill the position with someone that can configure Cisco Routers, install and maintain Active Directory and bring up secure VPN Wi-Fi Network. :roll:
Well the job market is mediocore so I don't know if they are necissarily wrong. Tho this is personal thread not a P&N one. I will check the netwrking thread, tho I am not looking for a network support posisition. I know I have not enought servier experience for that. Thanks for the suggestion tho.
I am a network mgr at a large NYC bank and would like to chime in on this thread. First off, You need as a baseline a Bachelors degree. I wont even talk to anyone without that, even from a crappy school. Secondly, are your interviewing skills up to par? 3rdly, I would get some certs under my belt. I have many cert's, and they have helped me out greatly. Have you thought about possibly taking a break from the interviewing and focus on something else? Hit me up on PM and I can assist you out further.
USAJOBS have most of the gov. jobs. There are some agencies which still use their own, ie. NASA, FBI, CIA, etc, but most of the listings are under there. Government jobs sound good in your situation because they require either education or equiv. experience. Just search for "information tech*" and set the post date to the highest to get the most hits. From your experience description, you would probably be looking for GS-7/9 pay scales, which, depending on location and agency is anywhere from $40k to $60k.
Government is nice because they just give you a point value based on your qualifications. Thus, personal preferences and stuff doesn't really play out much (which is good for your case). The only problem is gov jobs usually take a LONG LONG time before they get back to you. It took them 3 months to give my dad a call when he first applied for a gov job. The other thing is, gov jobs make you lazy (according to my dad, an IT admin) and private industries know that. On the positive side, gov jobs are secure and pays well with increases every year.
Why don't you post your resume for critiquing? Just fake your personal information and we could help identify any flaws in it. I know if you are applying for gov jobs you will need to add in a lot more info to your resume (expect 3 pages).
You need to finish school!
Then again I had 15 interviews for an IT job this fall and I only got 4 offers. One of which I really wanted though.
Then again I had 15 interviews for an IT job this fall and I only got 4 offers. One of which I really wanted though.
I would say do what you enjoy.
When you say you have 7 years in IT--what kind of experience? Real, applicable work experience? Self-Taught stuff? Really experience is the best thing you can get. Try expanding your horizons and getting as much experience doing as many things imho. It isn't often that you can find someone that is proficient in X, Y, AND Z. But for yourself, I'd at least finish your degree, as that is pretty much the standard now a days.
For myself, I have a strong background in Chemistry even though my main passion is software engineering. I feel like that I've used it to my advantage though:
Finished my Masters in C.S. Spring of '02 after doing a dual B.S. in Chemistry/C.S. at a Top 30 university.
Unemployed for basically a year--real crappy timing even though I looked quite a bit for work.
Finally got a temp position at the 5th largest biotech company in the world. Originally 3-6 month position, but worked there 2 years as temp.
Now they have hired me permanently as a Process Engineer doing .NET programming, Data analysis, engineer, etc. Getting paid decent, but a lot of room for growth and I'm truly happy about the company, the job, and the people I work with.
It is isn't, but I'd say stick with what you enjoy. Ultimately even if you have to suck it up and do something that isn't ideal now, but can pay off later I'd definitely consider it.
When you say you have 7 years in IT--what kind of experience? Real, applicable work experience? Self-Taught stuff? Really experience is the best thing you can get. Try expanding your horizons and getting as much experience doing as many things imho. It isn't often that you can find someone that is proficient in X, Y, AND Z. But for yourself, I'd at least finish your degree, as that is pretty much the standard now a days.
For myself, I have a strong background in Chemistry even though my main passion is software engineering. I feel like that I've used it to my advantage though:
Finished my Masters in C.S. Spring of '02 after doing a dual B.S. in Chemistry/C.S. at a Top 30 university.
Unemployed for basically a year--real crappy timing even though I looked quite a bit for work.
Finally got a temp position at the 5th largest biotech company in the world. Originally 3-6 month position, but worked there 2 years as temp.
Now they have hired me permanently as a Process Engineer doing .NET programming, Data analysis, engineer, etc. Getting paid decent, but a lot of room for growth and I'm truly happy about the company, the job, and the people I work with.
It is isn't, but I'd say stick with what you enjoy. Ultimately even if you have to suck it up and do something that isn't ideal now, but can pay off later I'd definitely consider it.
You don't have a bachelor's degree? You shot yourself in the foot, my friend. I'm amazed that so many companies are willing to interview you when there are so many job seekers out there with a college degree.
Good luck Gutharius, all I can say is I know what you're going through. Good things never come easy.
If you did 3 years in MIS then how about switching majors to Accounting? It is in the same "college" so all of your core classes should be done. That is what I would do if I could do it over again.
There's more money in other fields. Try a risky field for a while. Something like Real Estate agent, Mortgage agent or insurance agent or something that pays commission.
Originally posted by: gutharius
Originally posted by: psiu
Well at least your in the field for now.
After my thread the other night, I'm looking into other fields. Electrician, construction, something else.
Plumber is out though. No poo for me
I have thought about electrician, accounting (bad credit history but easily fixed tho), Para Legal, etc... But I have 3 years invested in a Management Information Systems degree. I don't feel like throwing that and $8,000 out the door.
do what it takes to finish your degree.
gather more info before you make any big decisions. Research via books and talking to people.
The Computer Science Resumes and Job-Finding Guide
by Phil Bartlett
Barrons Educational Series (March 1, 2005)
If you?re looking for a new IT position, this book belongs on your ?must-read? list. It starts with an overview of today?s IT job market and a review of current and evolving IT employment opportunities. Next, you get advice on résumé writing and distribution, obtaining interviews, effective interviewing, and landing a position. In chapters that follow, author Phil Bartlett describes the specific IT skill requirements you need, advises on developing a job-finding strategy, explains how to assess your skills as they relate to the job market, discusses career planning, and covers many more things good to know for IT career success.
Lists the online job services consistently posting the most IT jobs
Identifies the top IT skills that employers seek today
Describes why most IT job candidates limit their job opportunities
Provides strategies to IT professionals losing their jobs to outsourcing
Includes 30 IT sample résumés for today?s top IT jobs
Product Description:
This brand-new book is must-read material for job-hunting computer software engineers, applications and systems programmers, database developers and administrators, systems analysts, security engineers, network engineers, test engineers, and many other specialists in the IT (information technology) profession. An opening chapter gives an overview of todays IT job market with projections through the year 2010, current top job opportunities, and a discussion of new and evolving IT employment opportunities. A following chapter discusses the job-winning process, with advice on résumé writing and distribution, getting interviews, and landing a position. The remaining chapters describe the needed IT skill requirements, advise on developing a job-finding strategy, explain how to assess ones own skills, discuss employment strategies and career planning, and cover virtually every other aspect of IT job hunting. The book concludes with 30 sample résumés for todays leading information technology job opportunities.
The Computer Science Resumes and Job-Finding Guide
by Phil Bartlett
Barrons Educational Series (March 1, 2005)
If you?re looking for a new IT position, this book belongs on your ?must-read? list. It starts with an overview of today?s IT job market and a review of current and evolving IT employment opportunities. Next, you get advice on résumé writing and distribution, obtaining interviews, effective interviewing, and landing a position. In chapters that follow, author Phil Bartlett describes the specific IT skill requirements you need, advises on developing a job-finding strategy, explains how to assess your skills as they relate to the job market, discusses career planning, and covers many more things good to know for IT career success.
Lists the online job services consistently posting the most IT jobs
Identifies the top IT skills that employers seek today
Describes why most IT job candidates limit their job opportunities
Provides strategies to IT professionals losing their jobs to outsourcing
Includes 30 IT sample résumés for today?s top IT jobs
Product Description:
This brand-new book is must-read material for job-hunting computer software engineers, applications and systems programmers, database developers and administrators, systems analysts, security engineers, network engineers, test engineers, and many other specialists in the IT (information technology) profession. An opening chapter gives an overview of todays IT job market with projections through the year 2010, current top job opportunities, and a discussion of new and evolving IT employment opportunities. A following chapter discusses the job-winning process, with advice on résumé writing and distribution, getting interviews, and landing a position. The remaining chapters describe the needed IT skill requirements, advise on developing a job-finding strategy, explain how to assess ones own skills, discuss employment strategies and career planning, and cover virtually every other aspect of IT job hunting. The book concludes with 30 sample résumés for todays leading information technology job opportunities.
I can see your point about the Bacelors being a baseline I see that in many job postings. However the postings I apply for say that only some college experience or a HS diploma are required. But I still see how that would give a leg up on things.
As far as interviewing skills go I think the only question that has tripped me up was, "Tell me about a recent negative experience you had with a coworker and how that turned out?". I answered it honestly and stated that we are now friends and work well together. Upon my closing questions I asked if there were any concerns which needed to be addressed and they mentioned none. So I guess I answered it suffciently...
I know I am weak on the certs. I look at my sole cert, an A+, and laugh because if someone were to judge my skill set and potential just by that if feel they would be selling me short and loosing out on a good candidate. But either way I can see their point that it is easy to put stuff on a resume you really don't know anything about.
When you say taking a break what do you mean? While I am currently employed I am soon to be laid off due to call center closure. So it is important for me to locate a new source of employment ASAP.
One of the downsides of government jobs is that for those I would be interested in it would require some form of relocation. Which I would prefer not to do. But otherwise I am thumbs up on them.
See I enjoy the IT supposrt side of things as I get a sense of accomplishment out of helping others resolve their issues with technology. (I kinda think of myself as a relationahip counselor for those with troubled technology relationships. So tell me how you feel when your computer gives you a general fault protection error?
) The funny thing is the more difficult the person to work with the more easier it is for me and more gratifying when the problem is resolved and all sides are happy. Outside of that the only other IT support fields I can think of trying are Software development in C++, database development, or some kind of development setting. All of these of course would require my degree and me polishing up skills I have not used in quite some time but still have a very strong philisophical and technical understanding of the basics and intents.
See i think about that in my dreams but I can't handle that emotionally cause I like a stable financial income. I need to see that paycheck every 2 weeks or on a regular basis for me to be secure in my job. Hence why i work for companies and not on my own...
Whether you are considering switching fields or not, the best advice I'd say is to go back and at least finish off your degree.. any degree. The mere fact of having the two letters B.S. in XXXX instantly puts you on a higher playing field. You even have options for going back to school..
#1- conventional, go back for 1 more year
#2- not so much, lots of colleges have a cap for how much they charge you for classes. once you achieve a certain limit, more credits dont cost you a thing aside from class/lab fees. If thats the case you could stack a ton of credits on and get done faster. Your goal is to graduate not get top scores. All you gotta do is pass the classes, do enough work to get a C then move on to the next. It'll suck short term but the pain passes faster.
There is no future in your line of work. I f you insist on staying in IT, then you will need more education and much more experience.
There are reasons why you are not able to land these new jobs. Take the hint and move on!
FWIW, you should be much further along in your career by now. You are definetley hurt by lack of credentials.
You sound as if you are not sure that you want to continue.
Do something else while you can!
There are reasons why you are not able to land these new jobs. Take the hint and move on!
FWIW, you should be much further along in your career by now. You are definetley hurt by lack of credentials.
You sound as if you are not sure that you want to continue.
Do something else while you can!
Exactly. You're one year from completion...do it!
I have about 11 yrs into this industry without a degree (do have MCSE & CCNA) and am going to night school to rectify that oversight.
More and more companies won't even look at you without a degree so don't hesitate, finish it.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 23K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter