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Home > Archive > Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries > November 2004 > Breaking into the IT industry
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Breaking into the IT industry
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| Drdoc07 2004-10-17, 3:18 pm |
| Hi, first time poster here. I am currently finishing a network security and administration program at a private technical college. I have already obtained my A+ and my Network+ certifications and am currently studying for my MCP in Windows 2000 server. One thing I have noticed though is that a lot of companies require 2+ years experience in the IT field. Thus begins the old adage, how can I get experience without experience.
I was wondering what it took for any of you to break into the IT industry and what jobs I should be looking at to get my foot in the door, so to speak | |
| ZacDogg 2004-10-20, 1:31 pm |
| Don't let a job posting's "requirements" stop you from sending a resume. My first IT job was doing basic network monitoring for crappy pay through a headhunter. After a little experience and tons more study I was hired for a lot more than I made at my current position. The positing for the position I got said 5-7 years of experience. I had 6 months. The last job I took said BS required. I don't have a BS, but my company would have done anything to get me.
Try using a headhunter, take anything they can give you, except the crappy pay and it will pay off in the end.
Zac | |
| cmelch 2004-10-28, 5:02 pm |
| The best way to get experience without having experience is to volunteer. Having that on your resume will help because it least it will show that you are motivated. I broke into the field by being persistant. I applied for dozens of helpdesk jobs and re-applied until I finally got an answer for a job. It was a crappy shift (3pm to 12) and what i did mostly was create user IDs, but it was experience non the less. Talk to other people you know in IT and start networking. Talk to your teachers, people who work in your IT department, the more people the better. | |
| curiousgeorge 2004-10-28, 6:54 pm |
| The positions that will most likely hire someone with no experience is on a helpdesk, as a technician, or desktop support. Look for those type of titles and apply for all of them.
Since you don't have experience yet, put a section on your resume that lists your technical knowledge. List the types of hardware you have worked with (i.e. HP servers, Dell desktops, IBM laptops, HP printers, etc.) and list the operating systems and applications you've worked with (i.e. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP, Mac OS 8/9/X, Microsoft Office 97/2000/XP/2003, etc.)
It will let the hiring manager know what you're familiar with.
"requirements" are a wish list.
Hope that helps.
Welcome to the cut-throat world of IT! | |
| Kasor 2004-10-29, 11:59 am |
| Very difficult at this time. Entry level position already max out...
I recommend targetting specific product, like Websphere, PeopleSoft, Oracle, SAP, ....
Look at the monster, dice and other online job post and see what HR is looking for in your area. | |
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| Thank's for the tips  . | |
| walterbyrd 2004-11-04, 3:25 pm |
| If I could turn back time, I'd stay as far away from IT as I could possibly get. At 45, with 25 years in, it's hard for me to get out now.
IMO: IT is about the worst field you can enter. Many college educated professionals with certs up the wahzoo earn less than the janitor (if they're lucky enough to be employed at all). And the situation is getting so much worse.
There are always exceptions, but in general, the IT career outlook is bleak.
JMHO. |
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