Over complicating working in IT?

solado

solado

solado

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276
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Uk
So I am really looking for advice from people with an IT background. I have been working as a 'Shop computer technician' for 5 years, started from not knowing how to build a computer to pretty much going into 'manual mode'.

The company I work for is pretty small (so small I have to rely on myself to repair or diagnose any fault brought into us). Software and hardware, anything ranging from reloading an OS & installing antivirus to replacing motherboards and installing small scale networks.

I am about to lose the job which to be honest im not to bothered about as I wanted something a little more progressive in terms of job prospects.

One thing that stops me from getting a new job in IT is the idea of not knowing enough. I can navigate most operating systems, troubleshoot faults and pretty handy with a soldering iron but still I doubt my own ability. I would love to work with networks; or a large scale company.

So what I am really asking is how did you learn what you needed to get into a higher position with responsibility?

:)
 
I would imagine for most of us, or at least me, it was just natural progression. you simply gain more responsibility by doing good work and replacing those above you.

the reality is that if you want to move to larger company you will end up starting a little bit lower that what you would have experienced in a smaller one, but you can quickly move if you are talented and if you make your desire to move known during the interview stage.
 
You have got the experience, or at least some.

I suggest getting some official qualifications if you have not done so already.
 
You know the one bit of advice I can give which is invaluable and I learnt so much from... Google.

If you don't know it google it, generally you'll find a fix and hey preseto, it then goes in to your knowledge bank of how to fix issues and you then develop your troubleshoot expertise.

I joined the tech support team here, people had been here between 5-12 years, I came here with limited knowledge and I have well passed them in tech knowledge and became the go to guy and have been promoted several steps above them now.
 
In terms of qualifications I have:
BTEC National Diploma
HND Business and IT
(While very vague)

I also have passed my Cisco semesters 1&2 in 2008 (never managed to sit my Semesters 3&4 due to the cource not offering it)
 
cHk4 said:
You know the one bit of advice I can give which is invaluable and I learnt so much from... Google.
Click to expand...

Or you could try posting a question in a computer forum, I suspect there will be some IT workers there maybe? :p
 
solado said:
In terms of qualifications I have:
BTEC National Diploma
HND Business and IT
(While very vague)

I also have passed my Cisco semesters 1&2 in 2008 (never managed to sit my Semesters 3&4 due to the cource not offering it)
Click to expand...

Start applying for jobs then.

If you need a certain qualificiation for the job you are after, look for that course and do it.

Good Luck.
 
Although you worked in a shop concentrate on the SUPPORT experience you have and the SUPPORT you offered customers unless you are applying for a big purple shop in which case wipe your brain and focus on sales only.

You'll do fine, support is natural progression for most people, nobody learns everything before starting in a post.
 
solado said:
One thing that stops me from getting a new job in IT is the idea of not knowing enough. I can navigate most operating systems, troubleshoot faults and pretty handy with a soldering iron but still I doubt my own ability. I would love to work with networks; or a large scale company.
Click to expand...

this makes a change, lot of blaggers out there that know very little but end up with high paying jobs.
 
SkodaMart said:
Or you could try posting a question in a computer forum, I suspect there will be some IT workers there maybe? :p
Click to expand...

Yea, I've resorted to posting problems on OcUK when I couldn't find it via googling :D

I actually got a "Thanks" award from work for one of the fixes lol.
 
I've run IT support teams in several large banks. It's not desktop support but application support. Nevertheless the principles are similar. When I've recruited people I have done so on their attitude, hungriness for the job, communication skills, common sense and demonstrating that they can take pressure and learn quickly. Actual tech skills are important too of course but I put the person before the skills. You'll be competing with many much cheapert offshore people who are not long out of University. So presenting yourself as a tenacious person keen to learn and progress will be key.
 
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