| Author |
Advice for the IT job Seeker.
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| The Rev \(MCT\) 2005-04-06, 1:29 pm |
| I can understand anyone's frustration as I've been there in the past. For
recent graduates as well as recently certified professionals who are coming
into what seems like a daunting field. I heed a small piece of personal
wisdom.
With the understanding that the IT field is on an upward force in relation
to jobs people still seem to be unemployed. Look left then right and you
will find two people in the same boat as yourself. The IT industry is not
lacking in jobs, but is lacking in an experienced workforce. (Proof of which
is in my inbox or on my voice mail daily with one job offer after another.)
With that please understand there is room for the newly graduated IT
professional, just not necessarily the job one may want right from the get
go. An MCSE Certification does not automatically grant you the job of your
dreams, that comes from a coupling of education, hard work, and experience.
The certifications you earn will help you in the long run, just remember you
don't always get instant gratification. (For this and countless other
reasons don't fall to temptation and use Brain Dumps to fast track your
certifications. It devalues the certification across the entire industry.
Not to mention it does you no good in the long run, because you really
haven't learned any of the necessary skills to be productive at your job.)
IT staffing agencies have so many applicants to choose from so you must make
yourself stand out. If you use an online job site (i.e. monster.com or
careerbuilder.com) for your searches I would recommend, if you have not
already, that you list your certifications or degrees in the title of your
online resume. Also don't be afraid of the "cold call." Start getting in
touch with the HR manager of the prospective employer. While experience is
always a plus, initiative is constantly looked upon as a positive factor for
the average job seeker.
Also don't be discouraged. Try, try and try again. You can and will land the
job you want and deserve. Just have patience and don't be ad versed to
taking a lower job at first to get your "proverbial" foot in the door. And
if you're uncommitted to a physical locality think about jobs that require
travel or consider relocation. Put yourself out there if you have to. Take a
temporary or contract job. Don't be afraid of contract positions, because
they can turn into, occasionally lucrative, full-time positions. Get in
contact with IT contact companies like Teksystems and K-Force. These
companies have built an industry on filling small contract jobs, some of
which only last days or weeks, but they are always loyal to their contract
employees.
And lastly.Good Luck! Anytime you change careers it's a big step. I know
when I decided to move from IT Administration to IT training I was taking a
big leap. I do still consult on the side, but for the most part I went
through the same things all of you are going through right now. So keep
going and I truly hope each of you find what you're looking for. If you need
anything let me know. Believe it or not, I'd be happy to answer questions or
look at resumes and help you, if and when I can. And I know I'm not the only
one here that will help you.
--
"The Rev" MCT/MCNGP #44
I may sound arrogant at times, but that's only because I'm always right.
Memories fade but a Google search never forgets.
justafreak.com
..
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| Frisbee® 2005-04-06, 1:29 pm |
| The Rev (MCT) wrote:
> I can understand anyone's frustration as I've been there in the past.
> For recent graduates as well as recently certified professionals who
> are coming into what seems like a daunting field. I heed a small
> piece of personal wisdom.
"It brought tears to my eyes!" W. Gates
"One thumb WAY up!" Roger Ebert
"Out friggin' standing!" Frisbee®. MCNGP
| |
|
| You have job offers in your "inbox?" You're not in Florida or Texas.
You recommend Tek Systems and K-Force? Those two agencies are the biggest
ripoff artists in the industry. They will take you for every dime you've
got, whether you're the client or the contractor.
Otherwise you offer excellent advice and encouragement, but you lost me on
those two points. The only other thing I would advise against is putting a
degree or certification in your one-line description on Monster. I know
plenty of IT guys in hiring positions that are immediately put off by that.
What part of the country are you in? It must be way north and very cold.
In the south, for every IT job opening there are at least 250 résumés
submitted for it.
| |
| The Rev \(MCT\) 2005-04-06, 1:29 pm |
| As for K-Force and TekSystems I've personally done work for them in the past
and had no problems with pay. I'm not in Texas or Florida, but I am in the
South East United States right now. I've lived in several parts of the
country however. As for Monster.com headlines while it may be true some
agencies are put off by what would seem bragged, if you want your name at
the top of more employer searches that will get you there.
--
"The Rev" MCT/MCNGP #44
I may sound arrogant at times, but that's only because I'm always right.
Memories fade but a Google search never forgets.
justafreak.com
..
"Bart" <Bart@hooterville.us> wrote in message
news:B7IZd.146481$qB6.33850@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
> You have job offers in your "inbox?" You're not in Florida or Texas.
>
> You recommend Tek Systems and K-Force? Those two agencies are the biggest
> ripoff artists in the industry. They will take you for every dime you've
> got, whether you're the client or the contractor.
>
> Otherwise you offer excellent advice and encouragement, but you lost me on
> those two points. The only other thing I would advise against is putting
a
> degree or certification in your one-line description on Monster. I know
> plenty of IT guys in hiring positions that are immediately put off by
that.
>
> What part of the country are you in? It must be way north and very cold.
> In the south, for every IT job opening there are at least 250 résumés
> submitted for it.
| |
|
| "The Rev (MCT)" <therev@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:%23%23Me0naKFHA.2604@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> As for K-Force and TekSystems I've personally done work for them in the
> past
> and had no problems with pay.
I've done work for them both, too. Although Tek Systems was called Aerotek
back then, and I guess they still are in some parts of the country. Anyway,
K-Force was better when they were called Romac -- after that they became
just like Aerotek. Charge out at $120 an hour, give you maybe $30 to $40,
back in "the good old days." They also treat their contractors like crap.
I lump Technisource with these clowns.
| |
| catwalker63 2005-04-06, 1:29 pm |
| "Bart" <Bart@hooterville.us> prattled ceaslessly in
news:B7IZd.146481$qB6.33850@tornado.tampabay.rr.com:
> What part of the country are you in? It must be way north and very
> cold. In the south, for every IT job opening there are at least 250
> résumés submitted for it.
>
Only 250 huh? I've seen positions here in the Great Northwest with 600-
1000 applicants. A daunting proposition.
--
Catwalker
aka Pu$$y Feet
BS, MCP
MCNGP #43
www.mcngp.com
faq.mcngp.com
“If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man, but it would
deteriorate the cat.” Mark Twain
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| "catwalker63" <_catwalker63_@hotmamamail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns961AA575399E6catwalker
63athotmail@216.196.97.136...
> "Bart" <Bart@hooterville.us> prattled ceaslessly in
> news:B7IZd.146481$qB6.33850@tornado.tampabay.rr.com:
>
>
>
> Only 250 huh? I've seen positions here in the Great Northwest with 600-
> 1000 applicants. A daunting proposition.
I manage the Exchange server for a local IT placement firm, and their resume
account gets about 800 to 1000 resumes for every job posted on Monster and
Dice. An ad in the local paper generates less email, but much more paper
resumes, which they hate. Their selection process consists of first
eliminating everyone not having a bachelor's degree. Then they go from
there. Certification importance depends upon the client, but it never ranks
above education.
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| Rowdy Yates 2005-04-06, 1:29 pm |
| "Bart" <Bart@hooterville.us> wrote in
news:PFLZd.182913$JF2.32886@tornado.tampabay.rr.com:
> "catwalker63" <_catwalker63_@hotmamamail.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns961AA575399E6catwalker
63athotmail@216.196.97.136...
>
> I manage the Exchange server for a local IT placement firm, and their
> resume account gets about 800 to 1000 resumes for every job posted on
> Monster and Dice. An ad in the local paper generates less email, but
> much more paper resumes, which they hate. Their selection process
> consists of first eliminating everyone not having a bachelor's degree.
> Then they go from there. Certification importance depends upon the
> client, but it never ranks above education.
>
>
>
>
yup. yet another reason why the kids today need to stop being lazy and
get a good university education whole they are young.
--
Rowdy Yates, MCNGP #39
http://www.mcngp.com/
"Shhhh... Do you smell that? I think is't Albanian Goat Smegma!"
http://www.geocities.com/rowdy_yates_mcngp/
http://www.geocities.com/rowdy_yates_mcngp/google.gif
| |
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| "Rowdy Yates" < rowdy_yates_mcngpATyahooDOTcom
> wrote in message
> yup. yet another reason why the kids today need to stop being lazy and
> get a good university education whole they are young.
And get to work on their master's after they get placed out of college. It
is very important -- more important than ever -- for young people to hit the
ground running. The older you are, the more difficult it is to go back to
college and get any consideration from an employer. They will always prefer
the younger candidates.
| |
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| "Rowdy Yates" < rowdy_yates_mcngpATyahooDOTcom
> wrote in message
news:Xns961ACE5CB2553rowdyyate
s2124@207.46.248.16...
> "Bart" <Bart@hooterville.us> wrote in news:B7IZd.146481$qB6.33850
> @tornado.tampabay.rr.com:
>
>
> wrong. 500! thats what we got for assist admin.
And how do you sort them?
| |
| Rowdy Yates 2005-04-06, 1:29 pm |
| "Bart" <Bart@hooterville.us> wrote in news:i1MZd.182917$JF2.105015
@tornado.tampabay.rr.com:
> "Rowdy Yates" < rowdy_yates_mcngpATyahooDOTcom
> wrote in message
> news:Xns961ACE5CB2553rowdyyate
s2124@207.46.248.16...
>
> And how do you sort them?
>
>
>
i didn't. HR did. but i heard about the number.
--
Rowdy Yates, MCNGP #39
http://www.mcngp.com/
http://profiles.yahoo.com/rowdy_yates_mcngp
| |
| mrkk58@netzero.net 2005-04-06, 1:29 pm |
| I'd really like to take you up on reviewing my resume and giving me
your advice on how to start my IT career. How can I directly contact
you? I greatly appreciate it! Thanks!
| |
|
| mrkk58@netzero.net wrote:
> giving me your advice on how to start my IT career.
>
Like a deer in the headlights
| |
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| did you hear Ogre <iamogreatgmaildotcom> say in news:#Iyqs3jKFHA.604
@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl:
> mrkk58@netzero.net wrote:
>
> Like a deer in the headlights
ooooo, you're good...
--
Neil MCNGP#30
- Linux: because rebooting is for adding new hardware.
| |
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| did you hear "The Rev \(MCT\)" <therev@nospam.com> say in
news:#yr81WZKFHA.904@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl:
> Believe it or not, I'd be happy to answer questions or
> look at resumes and help you, if and when I can. And I know I'm not
> the only one here that will help you.
>
you know not what you are setting yourself up for...
--
Neil MCNGP#30
- Friends don't let friends drive naked.
| |
|
| In microsoft.public.cert.exam.mcse, mrkk58@netzero.net climbed on a soapbox
& opined:
> I'd really like to take you up on reviewing my resume and giving me
> your advice on how to start my IT career. How can I directly contact
> you? I greatly appreciate it! Thanks!
>
First, we need to work on that reading comprehension problem.
--
JaR
Thug 10110
Click on MCNGP.com. What more do you need to know?
| |
| The Rev \(MCT\) 2005-04-06, 1:29 pm |
| Yeah I know, but I really don't mind. I do it all the time now for my
students. As for the contact method I have an older gmail account I used for
anonymous stuff and will use that for filtering out the real emails form the
bad.
You can contact me here: ireportbadpeopleATgmailDOTcom
--
"The Rev" MCT/MCNGP #44
I may sound arrogant at times, but that's only because I'm always right.
Memories fade but a Google search never forgets.
justafreak.com
..
"Neil" <guess!!!@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns961B7117B9190neilmcseg
mailcom@207.46.248.16...
> did you hear "The Rev \(MCT\)" <therev@nospam.com> say in
> news:#yr81WZKFHA.904@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl:
>
>
> you know not what you are setting yourself up for...
>
> --
> Neil MCNGP#30
>
> - Friends don't let friends drive naked.
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