Would working for yourself count as experience?

Legacy_user

I've mentioned before I want to work in IT repairs, all jobs state X amount of experience in necessary field, I have been doing IT repairs for 10+ years in my spare time, could I count this? I've never actually done it for a living because you usually need a degree in computing which has nothing to do with repairs, the only real 3rd level qualification in IT repairs is an A++ and most technicians agree its not really needed. I suppose I have done some jobs for my employer but thats not my job title and it was to pull him out of a hole or rather him being to tight to employ a technician.

gwinnie

I don't see why not, especially if you can get your customers to vouch for you. Although underline that the extra work has never impacted on the work you do for your employer.

System

gwinnie wrote: »

I don't see why not, especially if you can get your customers to vouch for you. Although underline that the extra work has never impacted on the work you do for your employer.

Yes I have various people who would vouch for me, My employer is also more than happy with the work i've done for him, however he wouldn't vouch for me:( I've wrote it in application forms in the past and no one was interested, once they found out I work in low paid factory work thats it game over, doesn't matter a damn i've done it for x amount of years, they'd rather have someone full of theory fresh out of uni.

wontfallforit

nirelandguy wrote: »

Yes I have various people who would vouch for me, My employer is also more than happy with the work i've done for him, however he wouldn't vouch for me:( I've wrote it in application forms in the past and no one was interested, once they found out I work in low paid factory work thats it game over, doesn't matter a damn i've done it for x amount of years, they'd rather have someone full of theory fresh out of uni.

It's probably not the fact that you've worked "as a low-paid factory worker" that is putting employers off, but rather the fact that you claim to have had x amount of years' experience, but have never bothered to gain a proper qualification.

You might be highly skilled - I don't doubt that you are - but it's just too easy to say you've "done it in your spare time". Tinkering on friends' computers in your spare time is just too casual an arrangement, and can easily be lied about / exaggerated (again, no doubts that you're truthful, but why should an employer believe you?). Gaining the right qualifications validates that you can do the job, and removes any doubt or ambiguity as to your skills. Then, your casual experiences would hold some weight.

To me, it's akin to somebody not studying an English degree, but claiming to have written loads of quality poems, plays, essays and articles in their spare time!

Are there any courses you could look into doing? Perhaps some OU modules? Something at your local college? Most disciplines can be slotted in around fulltime work, somehow, some way, and you shouldn't find yourself out of pocket, either.

System

wontfallforit wrote: »

It's probably not the fact that you've worked "as a low-paid factory worker" that is putting employers off, but rather the fact that you claim to have had x amount of years' experience, but have never bothered to gain a proper qualification.

You might be highly skilled - I don't doubt that you are - but it's just too easy to say you've "done it in your spare time". Tinkering on friends' computers in your spare time is just too casual an arrangement, and can easily be lied about / exaggerated (again, no doubts that you're truthful, but why should an employer believe you?). Gaining the right qualifications validates that you can do the job, and removes any doubt or ambiguity as to your skills. Then, your casual experiences would hold some weight.

To me, it's akin to somebody not studying an English degree, but claiming to have written loads of quality poems, plays, essays and articles in their spare time!

Are there any courses you could look into doing? Perhaps some OU modules? Something at your local college? Most disciplines can be slotted in around fulltime work, somehow, some way, and you shouldn't find yourself out of pocket, either.

I've done the OU as far as I can, which I list on my applications but unless its an actual degree its worthless, I've looked at the college but its all like teaching people how to use a computer, very basic stuff like Leisure: PC Setup And Maintenance, there is a Microsoft qualification called a MCDST but its £500 and I get the impression its geared towards employers to put you through.

wontfallforit

nirelandguy wrote: »

I've done the OU as far as I can, which I list on my applications but unless its an actual degree its worthless

I don't know what you mean by this. Could you not take a couple of extra modules, and top up to a full degree?

I know what you mean about IT qualifications - they either seem to be far too simplistic, or prohibitively expensive!

System

wontfallforit wrote: »

I don't know what you mean by this. Could you not take a couple of extra modules, and top up to a full degree?

I know what you mean about IT qualifications - they either seem to be far too simplistic, or prohibitively expensive!

I'm sure I could but the reason I quit was it went of down the programming route which has damn all to do with hardware and its hard to study something you've no interest in which I found out at secondary school doing my GCSE's, I just wish there was an ICT GCSE back then. Its hard to know what to do, I could go out on my own but everyone's at it these days.

System

I've found a site where you can take the final exam for $125 http://www.braindumps.com/70-271.htm his may be an option

getmore4less

The problem with PC tinkering is that there are loads of people that can do it, many do it for free, and it is relativly easy since it is mainly diagnose/replace.

Many companies have the odd bod that can fix things when needed or just farm out the work to small local firms, that cannot afford a dedicated hardware only person, or just use a company like Dell and pay for the service contracts.

Bigger places have proper people that have decided to make a career out of IT and often do the repairs as part of an MIS department. The junior roles they are looking for people that wil be interested in other things like networking, servers(email etc.) customising apps etc.

One problem is that desire not to do programming/software will limit your choice of jobs and companies that will have work.

We expected even our most junior test engineers to at lest show some desire to program so they could help automate with scripting at some point.

DCFC79

Theres the microsoft qualifications but they are so expensive i dont know if i can warrant spending the amount being asked on some qualification that wouldnt improve my job prospects. I do sympathise with you OP