Cannot get interviews for entry-level IT jobs...advice?

krs8997

So I'm 26, left school with just GCSEs and have worked as a door supervisor and in retail for the past 8 years in various jobs but feel limited in my prospects and want to enter a new career in IT, specifically as a network engineer, 1st/2nd/3rd line support, system administration etc.

For the past 12 months I've been studying in my own time and have completed several relevant (and some not so relevant) certifications including:

CompTIA A+
CompTIA N+
CCENT
ITIL Foundation
PRINCE2 Foundation

I plan on studying for my CCNA next however this will take some time. From what I understand, all of the certifications I have completed are at least entry level at minimum.

My problem is, I have ZERO work experience in IT, however having completed the certifications I have (having invested my own time and money whilst working full time) I feel it is now time to get an entry-level job in a support role (e.g. 1st line support).

I've applied to about 30 entry-level jobs in my area and haven't been asked for a single interview. I meet all the entry criteria EXCEPT for experience. Even the "entry-level" jobs require at least 1-2 years experience! How am I supposed to gain experience if I can't even get an entry-level job?

I'm applying on sites like reed.co.uk and even "entry level" jobs have 100+ applications after a couple of days.

Can anyone advise on how I can make myself more appealing to recruiters for entry level roles? It's just so frustrating to not even get an interview, but I don't blame recruiters who read my CV and look at my work history and see that I've only worked in retail and have no previous work experience.

Thank you.

krs8997

ALSO - I've tried applying to various companies and organisations locally to volunteer (just to gain some experience to put on paper) but had no success with that either - they just don't want the "help" when they have paid professionals to do it.

devilivus

In theory, 1st line support entry level jobs don't need anything other than GCSE's and people are usually trained from scratch on the job, so you're well ahead of the curve.

However, in practice that doesn't seem to be the case.

You're not the first person to start a thread like this. Maybe it's a sign of the times, but employers seem to always want degrees for any kind of office job, and ideally experience in the role (catch 22 obviously, not to mention that the idea of a "trainee" position surely eliminates the need for experience!)

makeyourdaddyproud

Don't rely too much on jobsites or agencies, many jobs are filled before you see them, the worst offender is the aggregator Indeed.com

1. Recruitment / tech days? Go to one and hand your CV out.

2. Apply directly to tech sites that have a datacentre near you.

3. Make a list of COOs of the firms you'd like to work at, see what where they're doing / going by googling the name

4 get closer to the ones that matter

xapprenticex

Entry level roles are over saturated with experienced workers applying for them, an agency doesnt care about you or me, they just want the best person for the job which will be someone who has done it before.

Calm down on the qualifications, they wont help, you seem to have enough. You need to be in the job now, without the experience it is VERY difficult, and you are looking for a job in a very saturated market. Its not going to be easy.

Tbh, you best bet is knowing someone, or knowing someone who knows someone, maybe linked in can help, but you usually need to be in an organisation already to get anywhere with that.

Keep in mind, an agency will NOT pick you over someone with experience, same with companies. Its sad but true and volunteering will be hard, keep in mind you wont be able to claim JSA volunteering for a job someone would normally be paid for and the company will still have to insure you and basically still costs them.

I sounds all doom and gloom but im sure there is a possibility, but everyone and their dog has a computer science degree and/or experience so you've left it a bit late.

I work in finance myself at a company everyone here knows if i stated it (i wont be). It started with a non finance related job and snowballed into something else somewhere else, gained finance experience there and now im where i am, doing something that was impossible years ago.

All of that was made possible by impressing someone who had contacts and put a word in for me leading me to get that job.

Networking and knowing people REALLY matters in this industry.

Wish you the best of luck.

killerpeaty

My first job was in a software firm, I got it through a local paper as a "Consultant" but I was first line support, progressing into second, project manager etc. It happened that I hated working in the role but had I enjoyed it more then there would be more than enough similar roles in my local area to progress up the career ladder without getting any more qualifications. So definitely look into local papers.

In addition to the advice of networking, it might be worth reviewing your CV. Many people apologise for their lack of direct experience, whereas your CV is to show your strengths. Good luck.

directdebiter

There seems to be a load of IT Support jobs around so I am surprised. Maybe with a Prince2 employers may think that IT Support is a short term career foucs. Maybe try having your CV looked at - you need to stress your interest in IT. And go via the IT Specific jobsites like Technojobs, Jobserve.

Reggie_Rebel

Have you looked at contracting? When I was out of work I took two short-term contracts until I found a permanent position. This is also in IT and I would say that both helped to give me a more rounded CV.

directdebiter

I think its hard to get a contract with no relevant work experience as they dont like to train contractors.

MyMissC3

Hi krs8997,


I have been working as IT technician and system administrator for a few years but, most importantly, I have been the IT senior who has to screen CVs and interview candidates.


The first issue I have found is that most candidate's cover letters are, hard to believe nowadays, terrible and would put me off for a start. Passed that stage, I would face horrifying CVs that I would only consider if I were truly desperate.


It might be not your case, but I have found that often the CV is seriously wrong and not presenting the candidate properly to the prospect employer.


When I was much younger, I went to a computer shop near my parents' house and offered to work for free. I was able to do everything but did not have any experience in a professional environment. I am a woman and the boss got rid of me saying I could be a baby-sitter... How wrong he was!


It is true that some jobs may be saturated but I don't see why there would not be a job for someone with good training, solid foundations and passion in this country.


You mention "local" companies and that might be one of the issues. I don't know which area we are talking about and there is of course a chance you might have to move a bit further away; if you are not willing to relocate, that could make things a bit harder, but not impossible.


Experience may be gathered in different ways and you might need to be a bit "creative"...


I generally agree with what makeyourdaddyproud said and also xapprenticex is right about "networking". Local papers could be a useful resource as killerpeaty suggests.


If you would like a hand please feel free to send me a pm and I'll give you my email to forward you CV.



As I said, it might be not your case and maybe we can see if there is something else that is missing.


Good luck!

FredG

I got into IT as a sideways step. I was a trainer and got involved in a lot of IT based projects, built our E-learning system, databases etc. The IT department noticed me and gave me a job which in turn gave me a range of vital experience that I could put on my CV.

If you have a role currently, try to make it overlap when you can. Focus on impressing the right people. If not, take a job somewhere with a good quality IT department and build some personal relationships to get yourself known. Show an interest and who knows?