Worth trying 1st Line?

Discussion in 'Employment & Jobs' started by ThatLondonFella, Aug 7, 2012.

  1. subliminalsmurf

    subliminalsmurf Nibble Poster

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    Good man! Keep going! It's worth it!!

    - - - Updated - - -

    If you can send it over my woman is a recruitment consultant for IT roles. ;-)
     
    Certifications: MCITP: Windows 7 Desktop Support Technician
    WIP: 70-686 - Started the same day as passing 680
  2. ThatLondonFella

    ThatLondonFella Bit Poster

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    An update:


    I applied to around 20-30 jobs so far many of them 1st Line/Helpdesk about 2 days ago. I went into the Job Center yesterday just to get some help in my search. The Advisor there said that what I am doing is more than anything that she could help me do. I told her that I was very passionate about IT, have a BSc degree in Computing and wanted to find work in a 1st Line role. She's offered to pass my CV onto her colleague who has some IT connections.


    I am making leaps forward in my search for that illusive 1st Line job.

    :)
     
    Certifications: BSc
    WIP: A+ and Network+
  3. subliminalsmurf

    subliminalsmurf Nibble Poster

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    Nice. Should have that CV Back to you soon too. Not had chance to check that mailbox yet / forward it on to the woman.
     
    Certifications: MCITP: Windows 7 Desktop Support Technician
    WIP: 70-686 - Started the same day as passing 680
    ThatLondonFella likes this.
  4. ThatLondonFella

    ThatLondonFella Bit Poster

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    Had a interesting convo with a IT Support Analyst today...he advised me to do my A+ and N+ certs and then go from there. I have a firm grasp on installing and maintaining computer hardware, software, networks already. Would it be worth doing these given that I have a computing degree as well? And could anyone possibly advise me on literature to learn from to complete these exams? If the literature is free then that would be a bonus!
     
    Certifications: BSc
    WIP: A+ and Network+
  5. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    I have a degree and I did the A+\Network+ when I started getting IT certifications - worthwhile I think.

    Been a while since I did the A+ but this was the book I used (not sure what edition it was).....

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/CompTIA-Cer...1338/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345152585&sr=8-1
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  6. jm1

    jm1 Bit Poster

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    I would agree a cert does go down well but as many people will tell you here it is nothing without experience, I'm not saying it is not worth it but the longer you keep studying without experience the harder it is to find the employment you are looking for.

    Also you didn't apply for the job I sent you :) Any particular reason it was not appealing?
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2012
  7. ThatLondonFella

    ThatLondonFella Bit Poster

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    Hey, deeply sorry I didn't apply. I signed up to the Job Center scheme and have had to go to them countless times to sort some stuff out and I've been really busy of late with preparing phone interviews. I will apply for it if it's still vacant jm1. Apologies. :(

    I think I may ditch the Job Center route as it seems to be a lot of effort for nothing. And they are pretty useless with fulfilling their main function.
     
    Certifications: BSc
    WIP: A+ and Network+
  8. jm1

    jm1 Bit Poster

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    Yes it is still vacant you can still apply but don't leave it too long :) .
     
  9. ThatLondonFella

    ThatLondonFella Bit Poster

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    Will do at 12-ish. Fingers crossed!
     
    Certifications: BSc
    WIP: A+ and Network+
  10. tigrepojke

    tigrepojke New Member

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    You say you have a firm grasp of maintaining cpu hardware and far as I know the A+ is based all around that, could be an easy cert for you to pickup quickly so definitely worth pursuing.

    N+ back when I last saw the material on it (6-7yrs ago) seemed to be basics/foundations of networking, nothing too technical. I'd recommend skipping this and instead going for Cisco CCENT as that covers pretty much the same stuff and leads directly onto the full CCNA which I think is seen as a better cert than N+ to have.
    You can grab old routers/switches off of eBay for some experience or use their Packet Tracer sim software which is plenty functional for CCNA purposes and has an excellent lab mode where you can watch many protocol packet types flow for better understanding.
     
    Certifications: CCNA, CCNA Voice, CCNP Voice, MCDST, MCITP, MCSA, MCSE, Zeacom Accredited
    WIP: CCNP Route/Switch
  11. Jiser

    Jiser Kilobyte Poster

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    Every week I would suggest you do the following:

    1) Check for jobs in your local paper/echo - read the jobs section.
    2) Check local government job sites and subscribe for job keyword notifications via email
    3) Check local colleges/universities job sites
    4) Check local large firms e.g. Insurance companies, call center type places, bank job websites.
    5) Check local school vacancy pages
    6) Ring round local recruitment firms and pass your cv around (better still go into the agencys themselves) with your cv
    7) Try find somewhere to volunteer to keep your IT skills current / maybe setup a virtual envrionment to play in the mean time
    8 ) Certify in basic IT certs. I would recommend any of the following: A+, N+, ITIL Foundation, CCENT, MCITP Windows Desktop Support Tech(70-680&70-685), Microsoft Office Specialist Quals (if you have spare cash for these as they are pretty easy to knock out).

    I do this myself now and again just to keep my eye on the game. Its good to know whats happening in the market, what hiring managers need and want. Good luck.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2012
    Certifications: BSc (Hons), PGc, MCTS:Win 7, MCSA W7/MCITP EDST, ITIL Foundation, Prince 2 Foundation, C&G: Web Design, MOS 07: Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook.
  12. ThatLondonFella

    ThatLondonFella Bit Poster

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    So very true! I've still not given up hope and I am constantly applying/speaking to friends & relatives that are in IT. I've met people with few qualifications but have found employment in IT purely based off the people they know. So, trying to network as much as possible as well.

    1) Doing this on a daily basis.
    2) I have subscribed to numerous job sites and am constantly bombarded with e-mails/phone calls
    3) I have had a look at a few in London that have Support Desk roles, for which I applied but have received no reply so I should imagine that they've been filled.
    4) I'm constantly checking websites of companies near where I live for any vacancies but none as of yet.
    5) Same as 1.
    6) Actively doing this though I am somewhat limited by the agencies in my area. My CV is filtering through to employers via relatives/friends etc.
    7) I'm finding this rather tough at the moment. I'm constantly sending out e-mails to inquire about volunteering work as I am just really want the experience of working in an IT atmosphere but seem to get nothing. I've a real desire to work though albeit for nothing for a few weeks. In the mean time I am keeping myself active with what you have mentioned and more (SQL etc)
    8 ) I'm working on A+ and N+ as a start but once I can afford anymore then I will go for it.
     
    Certifications: BSc
    WIP: A+ and Network+
  13. Monkeychops

    Monkeychops Kilobyte Poster

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    Also whilst the majority of posts aren't entry level it's worth keeping an eye on some of the IT job sites such as CWjobs.

    Get a CV up on there and you might get a call or 2.
     
  14. ThatLondonFella

    ThatLondonFella Bit Poster

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    Wait for one to come a long and a bunch come at once. I have a telephone interview today and a few interviews coming up as well. :)
     
    Certifications: BSc
    WIP: A+ and Network+

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