https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8q_Gs3f25RfbzY4cl82ZEVZODA/edit?pli=1
Feel free to butcher my CV if you want
Feel free to butcher my CV if you want
Help with CV..
- Thread starter MrKnifey
- Start date
If you're lowly paid why not move jobs to another company (which you're going to have to do anyway).
I know nothing about your industry but I'd seriously think about, essentially, jacking it all in for a career where you think the grass is greener. Where you will be starting from the bottom. Not many people will employ no-experience network people as well (due to the massive reliance on it) - I certainly know of no companies that have a first line network guy.
M.
I know nothing about your industry but I'd seriously think about, essentially, jacking it all in for a career where you think the grass is greener. Where you will be starting from the bottom. Not many people will employ no-experience network people as well (due to the massive reliance on it) - I certainly know of no companies that have a first line network guy.
M.
That's why im applying for first line support in any area really. Just to get a foot in the door. As a mechanic there is no where to go.. Everything is roughly same pay and same hours. Also im thinking when im 50 do I really want to be working outside in the cold lugging heavy stuff around like my Dad is..
Soldato
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With your current skills, assuming you really are competent and could supervise, if you aren't on £25k-35k in your current job then you should consider moving jobs not careers.
Get a good degree (e.g. Joint honors maths and computer science) from a Russell group uni (look for the top 10 unis for the chosen course), while doing the degree try and get internships at respectable companies. In your spare time develop software systems, e.g. An open source project that shows aptitude.
You will th have no problem finding suitable career opertunities at a level you would want to work at.
Otherwise forget you 1st line IT support and look at something else. I would seriously look at working at McDonald's or a supermarket. Star at the bottom flipping burgers/stacking shelves and it is still possible to make it to management in very short period of time relative to other industries. In IT first line support you end up being the burger flipper for a very, very long time, and if you arlucky get to take in extra roles like sweeping the floors and locking up at night.
tBH, keeping within you own skilled profession seems the best strategy.
no chance of that type of money around here. ive been supervisor and its £100 more a month
Soldato
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Then, perhaps it is worth moving for your work. Same industry but new company and new job?
You wont be any better off on 1st line support, financially probably much worse; even if you progress beyond 1st line and DP is right regarding the analogy.
I can't believe the amount negativity in this thread.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that it is bad advice or that people shouldn't be giving negative opinions. Of course they should be, advice from people with experience in this area is extremely valuable and we are lucky that people take the time to write about it.
That said I am surprised there is very little encouragement, especially on a computer forum filled with people who all share a common interest in technology. Is this indicative of the feeling of those currently in the industry?
The OP is what, around mid twenties? He still has the best part of 40 years worth of employment in him, is it not feasible that after 10 years working as a vehicle technician he doesn't see his future in this business? Is it not then viable that he can move into another industry, put in some hard work and determination and come out a success the other side?
Working in McDonalds? Seriously? The guy is showing an interest in working in IT as it is an area that clearly gives him personal satisfaction. He might not be interested in working up to management, not everyone wants to be a manager and certainly not at McDonalds.
I've done 1st line technical support, I did it for 6 months as temporary work before getting the job I am in now. Granted 6 months is not a very long time but I've done far far worse jobs than 1st line support.
I'm not having a pop but there must be a way into this industry for those who missed their opportunity at a younger age, this shouldn't rule someone out of it completely? Or am I completely wrong? Maybe you do need a computer science/related degree to make any kind of progress in the IT business?
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that it is bad advice or that people shouldn't be giving negative opinions. Of course they should be, advice from people with experience in this area is extremely valuable and we are lucky that people take the time to write about it.
That said I am surprised there is very little encouragement, especially on a computer forum filled with people who all share a common interest in technology. Is this indicative of the feeling of those currently in the industry?
The OP is what, around mid twenties? He still has the best part of 40 years worth of employment in him, is it not feasible that after 10 years working as a vehicle technician he doesn't see his future in this business? Is it not then viable that he can move into another industry, put in some hard work and determination and come out a success the other side?
Working in McDonalds? Seriously? The guy is showing an interest in working in IT as it is an area that clearly gives him personal satisfaction. He might not be interested in working up to management, not everyone wants to be a manager and certainly not at McDonalds.
I've done 1st line technical support, I did it for 6 months as temporary work before getting the job I am in now. Granted 6 months is not a very long time but I've done far far worse jobs than 1st line support.
I'm not having a pop but there must be a way into this industry for those who missed their opportunity at a younger age, this shouldn't rule someone out of it completely? Or am I completely wrong? Maybe you do need a computer science/related degree to make any kind of progress in the IT business?
Soldato
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The problem is: The OP is preparing to give up a highly skilled job which he could earn a considerable amount more doing in another location and company; to enter at the bottom of the IT ladder with very little training and experience, in a competitive and over saturated end of the spectrum with a massive slog ahead of him to progress.
If he was planning to go to uni do a decent degree and enter at a decent level then it makes sense.
Too many people go into IT expecting the dream, thinking their hobby & interest translates into a great job and never reach beyond 1st/2nd line support because after years of frustration they get no where.
There is a world of difference between architect/developer/infrastructure/project management jobs and entry low level positions where you are simply a resource and highly dispensable and will find it very challenging to get noticed in.
If the OP was a brilliant programmer/developer already then it would be a very different advice.
If he was planning to go to uni do a decent degree and enter at a decent level then it makes sense.
Too many people go into IT expecting the dream, thinking their hobby & interest translates into a great job and never reach beyond 1st/2nd line support because after years of frustration they get no where.
There is a world of difference between architect/developer/infrastructure/project management jobs and entry low level positions where you are simply a resource and highly dispensable and will find it very challenging to get noticed in.
If the OP was a brilliant programmer/developer already then it would be a very different advice.
I see your point. The uni advice is good advice but if OP is not able to move away to do a degree or to study part time due to financial commitments then it is largely irrelevant. I don't know the OP's situation, this may well be possible.
It just seems that the advice to stay within his current sector would seem a bit of a bleak prospect given that:
Soldato
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Salary and employer can make a massive difference to how you are feeling about your job and industry though.
Often, it is not the nature of the job but the environment around you that is the killer. Everything from employee culture, work location, management structure and culture has a massive impact on day-to-day experiences and job satisfaction.
Some people are happy just to keep their head down, feet under the table and crack on regardless of everything around them, others are much more sensitive to it all.
Jumping from a stable industry with skills shortages in well paid nice areas of the country for the OPs level, to a low level IT job for what could be a long time is not necessarily a good call. When you are in a position to move within your own industry to better your career and job satisfaction that is usually the first port of call.
If there are no prospects in your own industry then it is worth considering getting out.
Often, it is not the nature of the job but the environment around you that is the killer. Everything from employee culture, work location, management structure and culture has a massive impact on day-to-day experiences and job satisfaction.
Some people are happy just to keep their head down, feet under the table and crack on regardless of everything around them, others are much more sensitive to it all.
Jumping from a stable industry with skills shortages in well paid nice areas of the country for the OPs level, to a low level IT job for what could be a long time is not necessarily a good call. When you are in a position to move within your own industry to better your career and job satisfaction that is usually the first port of call.
If there are no prospects in your own industry then it is worth considering getting out.
I do appreciate the advice, I cant really move away as my partner is a new teacher and hasnt long been in her job. her career is more important than mine. I can't quit full time work as I got a house etc so full time uni is out. Obviously what I had in mind is enter 1st line support, get my CISCO CCNA by the end of the year, then ive got more chance of getting even a crap network admin job with at least 1 year relevent work and a CISCO cert to prove im not a complete moron?
Soldato
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How are the job prospects for network admins with CISCO certs near you though with just the qualification and a bit of 1st line support?
Have you approached any other logistics or bus companies about workshop supervisor work?
I had a look online and there is one or two jobs for small company network/it support role but even they ask for a year or two support experience. so you think im wasting my time with thr cisco stuff?
just to note ive been looking for a year for a better hgv fitting job and there is nothing out there better than what I got plus the hours are still the same
just to note ive been looking for a year for a better hgv fitting job and there is nothing out there better than what I got plus the hours are still the same
Still apply for the jobs, if you can get yourself to the interview stage you then have a chance to prove what you can do.
Please stop capitalising Cisco though. It's not an acronym and you'll not be taken seriously if you put it in your CV like that.
Please stop capitalising Cisco though. It's not an acronym and you'll not be taken seriously if you put it in your CV like that.
Soldato
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You are not wasting your time with the cisco cert.
This is a tough call for you to make as if you can't relocate then you have limited options.
Why not approach the small IT companies directly and explain your situation, training you are doing and where you want to be in a year or so?
If you have some decent interpersonal skills and come across as like-able then you may get a surprise result especially if they are smaller localised businesses.
Finding good staff is not always easy, if the potential employee has the right aptitude then you can train and mentor them in most things.
Things you can't train an employee in is how well they can get on and interact with others. A small company will look to get a person with the right human & social skills as a priority so that will fit perfectly with the team and represent them exceptionally well when working with clients.
This is a tough call for you to make as if you can't relocate then you have limited options.
Why not approach the small IT companies directly and explain your situation, training you are doing and where you want to be in a year or so?
If you have some decent interpersonal skills and come across as like-able then you may get a surprise result especially if they are smaller localised businesses.
Finding good staff is not always easy, if the potential employee has the right aptitude then you can train and mentor them in most things.
Things you can't train an employee in is how well they can get on and interact with others. A small company will look to get a person with the right human & social skills as a priority so that will fit perfectly with the team and represent them exceptionally well when working with clients.
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Strange about your current job. They are advertising a salary of £30,000-£35,000 for technicians up here - http://www.s1jobs.com/job/472555255.html