Entry level IT jobs for an old guy

keyser666

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

IT always get the s*itty end of the stick. We can close calls because we've called 10 times, left 6 voicemails and emailed four times without response. But then they'll phone up demanding the call is re-opened and then complain that we took two weeks to fix their problem.

That is a massive gripe of mine. I work on the 3 and out rule although dont have too much contact with users these days. Surprising how quick they return your call when you close the ticket and they get the automated email saying so

scheming_gypsy

We have the three strikes rule as well but I give them a bit more leeway - unless it's an issue I don't like and then they really do get three strikes!
I give them till Friday afternoon. If they raise the call on a Monday, they get till that Friday; if they raise it on Wednesday or later they can have till the following Friday.

paddyrg

Back on track a second, OP do you use computer systems at all at the moment? For instance if there's a specialist record keeping system or diagnostic expert system you have used, look at doing subject matter expert support for that as opposed to just general desktop support.

Offer your services to whoever supplies that software. Pre sales staff are usually a mix of strictly technical and technical SME - and the SME is the one who is taken seriously by the client for understanding their organisation and needs, then being able to translate that to the technical people. This way you can take advantage of your years of expertise without fighting for a job that only exists because offshoring is unreliable and getting more expensive.

Croatoan

Interesting stuff, guys.
As for the lack of experience - and my age - of course I'm aware moving into a new field with no work experience of that field makes it tough, and indeed it may turn out to be impossible. I think having done a bit of research into starter quals it makes sense for me to do a little of the easier stuff than jump into higher stuff. I'm pretty sure I know enough already to at least come close to passing A+, and while I realise that won't open any doors I'll follow it up with the "easier" courses like MTA and Network+ which I think will help with tougher courses in the future. If it never happens, then it never happens, but I'll give it a shot.
Thanks people.

Croatoan

paddyrg wrote: »

Back on track a second, OP do you use computer systems at all at the moment? For instance if there's a specialist record keeping system or diagnostic expert system you have used, look at doing subject matter expert support for that as opposed to just general desktop support.

Offer your services to whoever supplies that software. Pre sales staff are usually a mix of strictly technical and technical SME - and the SME is the one who is taken seriously by the client for understanding their organisation and needs, then being able to translate that to the technical people. This way you can take advantage of your years of expertise without fighting for a job that only exists because offshoring is unreliable and getting more expensive.

I do, but being an agency worker I really don't get to see much outside of the ward or area I'm working. Breaks are very strictly enforced where I am currently and there's not time for much else other than the job I'm there to do. I am trying to cultivate friendship with the IT bods, but the nature of my work means I could be off elsewhere next week and never come back.

directdebiter

Dear OP.

Dont listen to the negativity. If you want to move into IT you can do it. Its just the financials that you need to be comfortable with initially. First Line Support will be between £16k-£20k. It is very important on your CV to demonstrate even though you have no IT experience - that you work on IT in your apre time - i.e. at home. So that you have a strong interest in IT. And back that interest up by enrolling in an MCSE or related course.

But dont worry about age. Thats irrelevant. It is the interest & passion in IT and with a few years under your belt your money can go up especially through contracting or via specialising.

There are so many jobs on the big IT jobsites such as Jobserve or look at a specialist IT Support job site like www.supportjobs.co.uk

HTH.

Reggie_Rebel

I will agree with scheming_gypsy about the best way to strat.

I would also through Desktop Deployment into the hat. It's fairly easy to follow until you get the hang of it and then you can start getting into the nitty gritty when you get a bit more savvy

keyser666

directdebiter wrote: »

Dear OP.

Dont listen to the negativity. If you want to move into IT you can do it. Its just the financials that you need to be comfortable with initially. First Line Support will be between £16k-£20k. It is very important on your CV to demonstrate even though you have no IT experience - that you work on IT in your apre time - i.e. at home. So that you have a strong interest in IT. And back that interest up by enrolling in an MCSE or related course.

But dont worry about age. Thats irrelevant. It is the interest & passion in IT and with a few years under your belt your money can go up especially through contracting or via specialising.

There are so many jobs on the big IT jobsites such as Jobserve or look at a specialist IT Support job site like www.supportjobs.co.uk

HTH.

Advising to do an MCSE ? that is ludicrous for someone to do that with no real experience. Also you dont say which one? either way either would be way too advanced for the OP

Nebulous2

Croatoan - I would advise you to be very cautious about a career change like that. There are some similiarities in our backgrounds from the limited amount you have posted. I walked away from a charge nurse job on top increment. I went to something totally different, which was a disaster and got back into care a year later. It took me 10 years to recover to the same position salary-wise. I was in a job I liked better, and I don't really regret it, but it was not a good career move.

I've also interviewed a lot of people going the other way, moving from other work into care to try and find some value in their work. Some of them made it but most of them didn't. I have came to the conclusion that very different jobs are a huge gamble, whereas those with more similarities are more likely to work.

I'm in a job I really like now, flexible working, no staff, no shifts. Not the best paid in the world but I'm really enjoying it.I don't discuss it on here but PM me if you want details.

Incidentally at the beginning of this thread I was concerned about the impact your proposed career change would have on your pension but if you are agency you wont have an NHS pension.

NWOIHTS

I changed career and went into IT in my mid 30s. It was a real struggle to get into as I had only done a one year IT conversion course from Engineering, and had no experience in it. Needless to say I ended up on the brew and applying for hundreds of jobs with little or no feedback.

This suggestion might help however as what I had done is found out that I could apply to companies who had investor in people accreditation, and see if they had any work experience placements, mainly public sector orgs like NHS, Unis, Colleges etc. you technically have to be over 6 months on the brew to apply but if you have a disability i.e. basically any health problem! then you can get around the 6 months and apply straight away.

Start looking at places that have investor in people, I don't know if you are on the brew, or if you can maybe apply to one of these even if you are not on the brew. But that's the way I done it and got real experience in IT field and got the ball rolling.

Got to start somewhere - I would look at trying to gain real experience in the field as that is the only way you are going to get up the ladder.

Good luck