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Getting Killed in my Quest for a Job
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| Guys I am getting slaughtered here. I started looking in the fall when I was just an MCP,CNA. Got lots of calls from entry level help desk for 27-30k. But I was making 40k at my last job so I turned them all down. Now I'm almost MCSE, so I threw it on my resume, updated my skills etc..
I maybe get a call for 1 out of every 25 jobs I go for. A lot of the time the HR person likes me, passes me on to the Tech guy... and then nothing. Anyone have any magical Job search tips?
I am dying here. | |
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| You shouldn't be very picky when you are starting off if that's your case. 27-30K CAD for a MCP is not bad. When you get passed on to the Tech guy, what do you mean by nothing? You don't hear from the tech guy or you bombed the interview? | |
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| I have the same sort of results here, although I am nowhere near as qualified as you, if you'e nearly an MCSE. Still, I doubt if you can expect to waltz into a new job and start off at a whole lot more than 40K. I'd be in hog heaven if I made anything near that. But you are right about the lack of response. For every 50 times I apply, I get 5 contacts and only rarely does that amount to an interview, but my people networking skills are not that strong. Maybe that is where we are lacking? | |
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| Let me be more specific. I've got 2+ years IT experience. 1 year basic tech tech stuff (Building systems, upgrades, OS installs etc) I hacve over a year as a Tech Support/Install Tech for a software co. This was a fairly indepth and challenging job. Great experience.
But now that I have left that job I find i am getting most of my responses from entry lvl helpdesks. I figure going to one of these places is like a step backwards.
I want to get into more of the tech side (Network admin/Desktop support etc.) But even with my 2+ years and my MCSE (Thats whats on my res) I still am not getting any interest.
I ONLY apply for jobs that my skill set matchs up very close to.
I have been contacted by or interviewed with several HR guys who then say "We are gonna pass you on to the Dept Head." Then for whatever reason I don't hear from the department head.
I also get nowhere with follow up calls. Once these people pass you over they don't want to waste another second with you. Very discouraging.
Thanks for letting me ramble. I just lost out on a great opportunity today. 3 interviews and 2 weeks later I'm back to square one. Just needed to get this $hit off my chest. | |
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| Tough deal, seems like the market in Toronto is pretty good... isn't it? Here in Calgary, the market is pretty tough. Now with the dot com crash, new flood of people are looking work, thus more competition. | |
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| The market isin't horrible (although December and January where brutal) I can uaually find an ad or two per day to apply to. It's just the ratio of responses that bothers me. I need to be cultivating more than one interview a month. I uusually ask what kind of response they get to an ad.... most employers have been telling me 300->600! For one freakin position! Competition is thick. | |
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| Welcome to the wonderfull world of IT The market here in the Edmonton area is very tight I am looking myself You may want to try changing your resume to attract a little response from the employers, there is lots of competition out there
i find myself going up againest people with Computer Science Degrees more and more and it seems thats what most employers want is that degree but keep knocking on doors something will
happen | |
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| All you can do is keep trying and don't give up  | |
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| WOW I didn't think it was this bad in Canada. I don't think it is here in BC as I have seen lots of job positions open but I just don't have the certs...YET. I think people don't want to live here because of how expensive living is. | |
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| I hear the Air Traffic Controller market is pretty good right now . . . | |
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| It's not that the market is bad. I apply to 30-5- ads a month, all of which my qualifications meet. Its just the response. I think I'm gonna have to try and tap the "hidden job market." You know, the supposed 80% of available jobs that aren't advertised. I just don't have time for all the cold calling until I finish my MCSE. One course left. | |
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| quote:
Originally posted by Randy
I hear the Air Traffic Controller market is pretty good right now . . .
Been There -- Done That
10 years worth
ea | |
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| So, the HR don't have full power unless the Tech Guy agree. I found it very common here.
I tips is to stay cool and try again. | |
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| Zen, I have read your comments with interest and I think I might have something that could be helpful. I hire IT people all of the time and I interview several for each position. A lot of times when I don't call a person back after an initial interview it is because the person commiteed a faux pas during the interview. I look at how the person is dressed, how they answer questions and how they sit and act during the interview. I reject people all of the time who have impressive qualifications based upon personality issues. I would recommend that you aquire a good book on interviewing and study it carefully. Your whole problem could be nothing more than answering a weed-out question in the wrong way. | |
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| That is something I always keep in mind, and my interviewing skills are something I am always trying to improve. But I don't think that is the problem. I seem to consistantly impress HR people. My last 3 interviews I ended with the HR person telling me that they liked me and that they where going to pass me on to the Department head and that I should expect a call for a second interview within the next couple of days.... then that call never comes. I always do a follow up in this situation but only seem to get minimal type answers as to why the 2nd interview fell through.
my last interview went better. the department head loved me... She had a message waiting for me by the time I got home asking me to come in the next day for the second interview...In the end, her Sr. tech guy didn't like me.
Based on this (and just knowing myself) I think my interviewing skills are at least acceptable.
I am starting to think that I experiencing the "Experience catch-22" syndrome. I thought that I wouldn't have to worry about that anymore now that I have a couple years under my belt.
Thanks for all the responses guys. | |
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| I know exactly what it feels like to be in that position becos I was in a similar position went I started in the real world of IT
Zen use the previous interviews as practice and analyse what went on and build on it. Also if you havent already, then post your CV on a jobsite which mailhots lots of agencies in your area. I put mine out here in uk 1.6 weeks ago and the response has been good meaning I already got a contract oppurtunity starting next week.
But hey keep trying and that perfect job will be yours.
If need be take helpdesk positions which will be usefull for yor future endeavours but you prolly dont need me to tell you that, build up that employment history
And now to finish off proxy. Am procrastinating too much
Regards | |
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| Well in the US I went to work for a federal agency as an Electronic Tech 5 yrs ago starting at $36,000. I switched to Computer Specialist rating 3 yrs ago and my salary has gone up $20,000 in those 3 yrs to over $62,000. Sometimes the best jobs are the ones no one wants. I have a CCNA and CNA on my way to CNE. We use Novell Netware 5 and Groupwise for e-mail, plus NT workstations and some Unix. In another year or two I will probably be over $70K. I don't think that's too bad pay. What do you think? | |
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| uhh Reo I think you being had, I'd start looking for another job..HAHAHAHAHA
obviously I'm endvious! Nice job and congrats on finding it. | |
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| I think timing and luck play a role too. Last yr at this time I was unemployed, just finished up a contract. Then I got a job in 2nd level support, pay was high 20K, the company promise this and that but nothing came of it. Now I'm staring a new job in March as a systems consultant, salary with bonus is over 50K. | |
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| Thanks for for the input guys.... Its getting to be a little like group therapy in here.
I've decided to put the studying on the back burner and focus more on my job search. I need to start cold calling to see if I can generate more interviews. | |
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| Thats one thing I like about this particular forum. People take the time to help each other and give little pointers be it in job hunting or study techniques etc etc
After all its nice to be able to share info with people who are/have been in same boat
Take care | |
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| I must admit I am in the same situation. I have 2-3 years industry experience. I have A+, Net+, MCP, MCSE, CCNA and still can't find much above 40K. I thought CCNA's were supposed to do better than $38k. (Oh and I have 6 months Cisco experience). Kinda sucks huh? | |
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| Damn. I was looking at adding my CCNA next in hopes that it would sweeten the pot. I'haven't gone for any CompTIA certs because they don't seem to be that well recognized. I never see anyone asking for people with I-net+ or Network+. (Except for A+, but only entry level $10/hour type jobs seem to ever ask for it.) But I was hoping CCNA would do the trick. I at least see the odd ad asking for that. | |
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| I have always thought this was one of the most unfair parts of an interview. The fashion show. If a person can only afford to wear what they have, which may be their best suit [male or female], then that's what they wear. By not hiring people based on their clothing, that person can't get the money to buy nicer things can they?
quote:
Originally posted by Freddy
Zen, ...I look at how the person is dressed, how they answer questions and how they sit and act during the interview. I reject people all of the time who have impressive qualifications based upon personality issues...
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| Hey Zen,
I spent three years in TO as a Network/PC Analyst and 7 years in Network Admin in the past and I have MCSE. I've spent six month last year for me to find the this job and barely around 40K CAD.
Don't give up and keep trying. Sometime luck is counted. | |
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| Any suit would be fine I would think. So many places these days have a business casual dress code that someone in a suit almost looks out of place. I went for an interview a couple of weeks ago in a pair of dockers and a buttondown shirt. He offered me the job on the spot. Which I decided to take by the way. Thank the man upstairs because my last day at my current job is today due to downsizing.
Usually in an interview I'm fairly nervous. This time I felt strangely comfortable, like I didn't care either way what the outcome was. I sat up, back straight, and acted confident.
The fact that I showed an interest in continuing my education through certification may have helped. I played up my future certification plans too. I don't know if it helped me get the interview in the first place.
Anyway I plan on getting my certifications framed and hang them up in my cube. Show it off baby. | |
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| Hi Zen,
My two cents. I know exactly what you mean, I think we have all been there. If you look at helpdesk positions, look beyond the title. What will you be responsible for. You don't want to sit at a desk therefore, those are not the positions to look for.
I only say this because sometimes we get caught up in title and we could miss out on the opportunity. A helpdesk person could be responsible for all the things a systems administrator position would require. Also when looking, what could the position lead to. How long do you need to remain in that position before you can move on to another position.
Just my two cents. | |
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| I for one don't have much experienced as you do, but I have better qualifications. I posted my resume on monster with 57 views and no phone call. Even though I'm not looking for an interview until I have obtained the ccie. If I was you I would try recruiting companies because they have plenty of sources toward hidden job market. Give it a try. It doesn't hurt. | |
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| I don't know about you U.S. guys, but up here in the great white north dealing with recruiters sucks. Some of those guys are worse than used car salesmen. A lot of the time they call you in for interviews even when they don't have a job lined up. You can tell when you read the ads on Monster. If its just a short blurt, the job probably doen't exist. They just like to add "promising people" to their filing cabnet. I pretty much refuse to deal with them at all now. | |
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| Forgive me for butting in with my $0.02, but what are you doing for a follow up call? Are you able to speak to the Technical Contact, and if so, can they tell you why you weren't their selection?
Sometimes feedback like this can be very helpful.
Just a thought - and good luck to you! |
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