Anyone Employing?

Nix

Nix

Nix

Soldato
Joined
26 Dec 2005
Posts
19,841
I know this is a little unusual for GD, but I thought I'd give it a go all the same.

A friend (who shall remain nameless) is looking to break in to the IT industry.

He is 28 years old and is currently working as a full-time retail store manager whilst exploring the CompTIA A+ although he doesn't necessarily just want to enter 1st line. He just wants to explore his options in IT, in general.

He's been looking for work within the SE/London area but is not having much luck in getting interviews or job offers due to his lack of experience although he did get through a few rounds on a recent graduate IT scheme.

He holds an undergraduate degree and has been working in retail since he was 16.

If anyone's company is recruiting and my friend sounds like he could be suitable, could you please be kind enough to contact me via trust?

Thanks in advance.
 
I could potentially land him a role in the testing sector. Let me know if it's something he'd be interested in.
 
pitchfork said:
Retail manager? Perhaps he should go work at purple shirt world.
Click to expand...

Thanks to the helpful replies.

Terrier, he was thinking about doing Network down the line as he found it interesting but it's far too early to know what he wants to pursue, however he's still struggling to gain the experience so he can land any job in the industry.

Maccy, I'll let him know.

pitchfork, he's looking to break free from the retail world. It's a nasty Catch-22 situation.

xs2man, he's unable to relocate due to a wife and young child. Lives in SE, a commute to the city is about the most he can manage.
 
My point was that if all you're qualified to do is retail though you'll not be able to break free.

He either needs to fund some qualifications or get an apprenticeship, job market in IT is horrendously competitive. Knowing a bit about computers and a willing attitude just isn't enough sadly.
 
pitchfork said:
If all you're qualified to do is retail though you'll not be able to break free.

He either needs to fund some qualifications or get an apprenticeship.
Click to expand...

Not to be rude here, but you're pointing out the obvious.

He has an undergraduate degree (non-IT), so I wouldn't say he's without qualification.

He is also working towards the CompTIA A+, but as I've explained: he just wants to get out of retail and in to IT. The sooner the better.

I made this thread as I want to help him to that end (if anything comes of this thread, then it's worth it).

Retail as I'm sure you're aware is utterly soul-destroying. Assuming that he is unqualified for anything but cleaning or retail work is grossly unfair and very mean-spirited.
 
Nix said:
Not to be rude here, but you're pointing out the obvious.

He has an undergraduate degree (non-IT), so I wouldn't say he's without qualification.

He is also working towards the CompTIA A+, but as I've explained: he just wants to get out of retail and in to IT. The sooner the better.

I made this thread as I want to help him to that end (if anything comes of this thread, then it's worth it).

Retail as I'm sure you're aware is utterly soul-destroying. Assuming that he is unqualified for anything but cleaning or retail work is grossly unfair and very mean-spirited.
Click to expand...

IT, as I'm sure you're aware, is also utterly soul-destroying.


From a career perspective he is probably best sticking with a store manager role because he will move up the ranks much faster than starting at the bottom with the school leavers.


You say he has a degree, well in what subject, what grade and what university - it makes all the difference to his employability. Otherwise at the moment he is an under qualified for IT.
 
I see what pitchfork is saying, although it could be put into more encouraging words :p

with no prior experience in industry, the choices are essentially 1st line, or get a lucky break. myself, I got a lucky break that landed me a job with 1st and 2nd line duties, once you have a few years experience of that, it should be pretty easy to move to another company in a similar role (pretty much where I am now).

what are his reasons to dismiss 1st line as a way in the door?
 
D.P. said:
IT, as I'm sure you're aware, is also utterly soul-destroying.
Click to expand...

Honestly, you'll just have to believe me when I say this as I work with him. It's not a job I'd wish on anyone.

From a career perspective he is probably best sticking with a store manager role because he will move up the ranks much faster than starting at the bottom with the school leavers.
Click to expand...

You're assuming that there are prospects to be had. At 28, he's already hit the glass-ceiling and dreads going in to work. There is no more career progression, which is why he recognises the need to get out. It's dead-end and soul-destroying.

IT for all of it's setbacks is still another world and it has infinitely more prospects and side-steps than retail management.

You say he has a degree, well in what subject, what grade and what university - it makes all the difference to his employability. Otherwise at the moment he is an under qualified for IT.
Click to expand...

Why is it that people without any qualifications always manage to find their way into such careers? Let's not be too elitist here. It's about who you know, not what.

What he needs is a stroke of luck/a break. Which is why I'm seeing if there is any opportunity to be had here.

I appreciate you're trying to help, so please don't take this post the wrong way.
 
TrojanWhore said:
what are his reasons to dismiss 1st line as a way in the door?
Click to expand...

I think there's been some misunderstanding.

He's willing to do 1st line if it gets him through the door. It's not the end-game though by any means.

The largest factor is pay I believe. He needs enough to cover supporting his family plus the commute in to the city. Obviously, what that sum is though is for him to decide.
 
Nix said:
I think there's been some misunderstanding.

He's willing to do 1st line if it gets him through the door. It's not the end-game though by any means.

The largest factor is pay I believe. He needs enough to cover supporting his family plus the commute in to the city. Obviously, what that sum is though is for him to decide.
Click to expand...

The issue is that first line pay is low because for a lot of employers, you want to cast the net wide and see how people are in the role. Some people are great on paper are actually awful at helping people. Other people take a little bit longer to get up to speed but eventually can move on quite quickly.

For a first line role without any experience he's really going to be looking at £18k depending on the area to be honest.
 
daz said:
For a first line role without any experience he's really going to be looking at £18k depending on the area to be honest.
Click to expand...

Understood. It's just something he'll have to decide for himself. Still need to get in the door first, though! :p
 
We offer graduates starting salary of around £23k with no experience so there's money out there for people with no experience.
 
Nix said:
Not to be rude here, but you're pointing out the obvious.

He has an undergraduate degree (non-IT), so I wouldn't say he's without qualification.

He is also working towards the CompTIA A+, but as I've explained: he just wants to get out of retail and in to IT. The sooner the better.
Click to expand...

Sorry to sound negative, but everyone has an undergraduate degree nowadays, and "working towards" qualifications basically means that he doesn't have them. It would be better to complete these qualifications first, then start looking for jobs.

Even if he gets those, he's still most likely going to have to start at the bottom, unless he wants to take a risk and start his own business (although it's doubtful that he has the resources, experience and skills necessary to do this if he has been working in retail for so long).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom