Can not get into IT!!!!

Discussion in 'Employment & Jobs' started by y2dhesico, Sep 21, 2010.

  1. y2dhesico

    y2dhesico New Member

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    Alright people. Sorry for the moaning first post. I have been trying to get into IT for at least 2 years now. Applied to continuous 1st line support posts and had no luck what so ever. Is there something I am doing wrong? I have little experience in IT and have currently started self studying MCDST. I have attached my CV any advice will be much appreciated.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    You graduated in 2006? Then what happened? Something doesnt add up at first glance...
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  3. y2dhesico

    y2dhesico New Member

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    I've been working at my part time job since. I've had a couple of interviews for 1st line support with no success. Had a little stint in 2009 as IT Tech but was maternity cover only.
     
  4. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Hi, I'm going to be brief and frank.

    Ok, first of all two years is nothing really, considering that we've just come out of a recession and there are hundreds of qualified and experience IT Professionals that are still looking for work.

    It took me 5 years to get my foot in the door and that was a good few years before the recession hit.

    Second of all... Your CV:

    Under Key Skills: "Knowledge of support Operation systems Windows 2000,XP,Vista"

    Not sure what Operation systems are, maybe it should be Operating Systems? Also not sure what you're trying to say with "Knowledge of support...". Gramatical and spelling errors will put prospective employers off.

    Again in the key skills parts, alot of the list things are either vague or too general:

    Hardware skills. What kind? What can you do? Eg diagnose hardware failure, etc.
    PC/Laptop general troubleshooting. Give example(s). Eg virus removal, etc.
    Upgrades, Repairs. Like what? Upgrade/replace NIC, GC, MB, HDD, etc.

    According to your post you state that you've been trying to get into IT for the past 2 years, yet on your CV it shows approx 7 months as an IT Tech. Which one is it? If it's like this on your first post & CV, you may find that you're like this with your cover letter and CV when you send it out. Again inconsistencies will put prospective employers off.

    The first sentence in your introduction, is a run-on sentence. Tidy it up. Second sentence, you are refering to yourself in the 3rd person: "...seeking an opportunity to advance his career...".

    I hate to say this, but this doesn't look as if you've put much thought into your CV. TBH it looks like you've spent about 5 mins on it before posting it up. I don't want to sound condescending or patronizing, but you've really got to tailor your CV to the job that you're applying for. You can not have 1 generic CV and then send that out to every single employer.

    Hope this helps

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  5. wizard

    wizard Petabyte Poster

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    I've been trying on and off since school to try and get into IT, I'm now 36, do the maths.
     
    Certifications: SIA DS Licence
    WIP: A+ 2009
  6. Darkfunnyguy

    Darkfunnyguy Byte Poster

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    I do not understand you have degree in Computer Systems and you also worked as an ICT Technician for 8 months so you got commercial experience there. I think you should beef up your CV and include the experience in the skills section you gained as ICT Technician.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCP, MCDST, MCSA 2003
    WIP: Server+, Vista,
  7. corr_blimey_guvnor

    corr_blimey_guvnor New Member

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    As a person who has interviewed many people for IT posts, I will say the following:

    Grammer and Spelling: Employers get many many CVs for a single position, CVs and applications with poor grammer and spelling dont even get to interview.

    Sell what you have to offer: avoid phrases like PC/ Laptop Support, this is generic, my brother who is a builder could have written that.

    Transferable skills: Due to recent financial crisis, companies have less to spend on training, they need to hire people who they know can use initiative and be "self starting". Here is where you can sell why you are different to everyone else who is applying for the same post.

    These are a few starters!

    Good luck!
     
    Certifications: JNCIA
    WIP: CCNA, CCND, VCP
  8. BC

    BC Bit Poster

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    "Grammer" and spelling - priceless!
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCSA:M, MCSE, MCTS
  9. corr_blimey_guvnor

    corr_blimey_guvnor New Member

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    haha , I guess I deserve that lol!

    Kind of ironic I guess!
     
    Certifications: JNCIA
    WIP: CCNA, CCND, VCP
  10. ChaBeezy

    ChaBeezy New Member

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    Small thing, I wouldn't put you enjoy surfing the internet on a CV when applying to 1st line support jobs. Just a little thing.
     
  11. wizard

    wizard Petabyte Poster

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    Nothing wrong with putting that on your CV, common sense would tell you not to surf the net during working hours .
     
    Certifications: SIA DS Licence
    WIP: A+ 2009
  12. JonnyMX

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

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    Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh...

    Well, your CV lacks any kind of spark to be honest.
    It reads like a generic template that you've just put your name at the top of.
    Your key skills are bland - my wife has got all of them and she doesn't understand computers. Surely you covered more than that just while doing a degree?

    Your employment history is a couple of job descriptions. It's a common mistake, so don't sweat it - but an employer will be looking for someone who stands out or has contributed something extra in a role, not just done what they were paid to.

    Watch out for hobbies and interests that don't make you sound interesting. 'Socialising' = partying/getting drunk. 'Football' = hooligan. 'Surfing the Internet' = devoid of imagination/pron addict'. So unless you volunteer to help sick animals, I'd leave it out.

    It would be good if you could manage more than a page and a half. Do you drive? Do you speak any languages? Are you able to use any applications like photoshop?

    If I was you, I'd start again...
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCTS, i-Net+, CIW CI, Prince2, MSP, MCSD
  13. y2dhesico

    y2dhesico New Member

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    Hello,
    Thanx for all the replies, they've been very helpful. I've started to improve my CV. Got an interview next Tuesday for a 1st line support position. Will report back to say how it went.

    Thank you
     

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