Advice needed, trying to find an I.T support job.

/\ndy

/\ndy

/\ndy

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Hey guys,

Just needing some advice on starting out with an entry level support role. I currently have a degree in computer science but its been a fee years! Looking at maybe an online course just to re-skill. Can anyone recommend any online qualifications which are widely recognised by employers? I was looking at the COMPTIA A+ course as a starting point.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.
 
I wonder if Logica CMG and the like still take on grads? You could try a specific qualification. Maybe you could go for RHCE or something if you're familiar with/interested in Linux? Easy enough to fire up virtual boxes and break them to learn more. :p
 
i know its hard now, but maybe look at some interships or something along those lines for companies. fair enough wont pay but the main thing youll have is experience afterwards.
 
Graduate program is probably the best - certs without the experience won't get you far though it could get you an interview.

Personally I'd stay clear of the RHCE stuff unless you want to specialise in linux - and that would limit your job opportunities in comparisson to Microsoft based certs. VMware / VirtualPC, etc. are essential when revising to chuck up some Virtual PC's and play around with and also gives you exposure to the products.



M.
 
thanks for the replies fellas. I want to steer clear of doing an internship as need the money. Working full time now but just don't want to get too comfy here! The trouble is getting my foot in the door when it comes to I.T. All I want for now is something entry level to get me started. I'll look into the microsoft certs and do a little research. Cheers for that.
 
One of my job apps while redundant 2 years ago was for an NHS job, 1st-line tech. Got past 1st interview. 2nd interview was down to 14 candidates for 7 vacancies, so 50/50 chance if I got through. Turned out I failed, despite the 7 years of 1st-line behind me at previous employer and electronic engineering degree under my belt (with included C++, Assembly and web design). When I asked why I failed, their reply that they simply had too many and too good candidates, people with 2 degrees wtf. I found it maddening.
 
Monserrat said:
One of my job apps while redundant 2 years ago was for an NHS job, 1st-line tech. Got past 1st interview. 2nd interview was down to 14 candidates for 7 vacancies, so 50/50 chance if I got through. Turned out I failed, despite the 7 years of 1st-line behind me at previous employer and electronic engineering degree under my belt (with included C++, Assembly and web design). When I asked why I failed, their reply that they simply had too many and too good candidates, people with 2 degrees wtf. I found it maddening.
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more like you were over qualified, you'd get bored and be off and they'd have to rehire.
 
Don't get any certs until you've got some real experience under your belt, even if you have to volunteer to get it! Work on that first and then go for A+, N+ as a solid base.
 
Yep that's A+. Sometimes you'll be able to purchase vouchers which discount the price of the exam for you if you look around. Checkout certforums.co.uk iirc - there's a great sub forum for guys trying to break into IT.

Personally I made my break by doing voluntary work for a IT recycling company diagnosing and rebuilding machines and also doing A+. Of course I also had experience helping family and friends with their PCs but this doesn't count for much unless you're good explaining the interesting problems that you've come across in detail. Most people will say that they've clean viruses and whatnot but that's not demonstrating much in my opinion. A lot of people use these kinds of lines.
 
SoundsGood said:
A+ and MCITP to get you started, then CCNA and maybe MCSA if you're interested in the server side.
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You have qualifications whereby you need to have worked in the industry to actually make them relevant. Also the MCITP: SA (Server Administrator) is the 'new' MCSA so it's kinda pointless doing both.

Something like the: Pro: Microsoft Desktop Support would be a start - aimed at giving a relevant qualification for first line. Self study with the books and see how you feel about it - do the Q&A which should give you a good feel for how hard the exams are.




M.
 
I'm in 3rd line support and I have zero qualifications apart from A-Levels, oh and I recently got my PRINCE2.

I should really do some, even though experience is pretty much everything it does give some kind of validation of what you've achieved in your career.
 
Screw certs, get your foot in the door somewhere.

1st line is nearly unskilled but this varies from company to company.

A+ would, imo, be a total waste of time. Support is far more about the practical approach, tech skills help (and can help a lot) but are never more important.
 
/\ndy said:
Cheers again,

based in cheshire, so manchester, liverpool are well within reach if necessary.

The website i was looking at for the A+ was here http://certification.comptia.org/getCertified/certifications/a.aspx

This look ok?

Could use this as a starting block, its just finding that essential experience which am struggling with!
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Try to find out if Lloyds TSB or Barclays have graduate training schemes running (I know Lloyds used to do them - I used to work there - but not sure if they still do in the current economic climate).

Lloyds have a couple of IT buildings at Wythenshawe and Barclays have a large IT building at Knutsford. So they would be pretty close.
 
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