I am now CompTIA Net+ certified. Where do I start to gain experience? 4

[wiley02]

I have an AAT from a tech school, network specialist major. I am now Net+ certified. I cannot turn any prospective employer's head. How do you get started? I presume there has to be an entry level position somewhere, but every company I have contacted specifies usually 2 to 5 years of experience, or you won't get your foot in the door.

 

[Wishdiak]

wiley02,

In my own experience with IT certifications, there seem to be two routes to putting that new Net+ certification to use.

1. Find a staffing company (or post your resume on Monster and wait for them to find you). You might be able to get a long term assignment using your Net+ if you're lucky, but even short-term assignments will help you build experience on your resume.

I've had plenty of short-term contracts through a staffing company that look good on a resume and enabled me to get the job that I currently have.

2. Find a company that's hiring entry-level people where the Net+ and future certifications may help you move up.

A friend of mine just landed a job with a local ISP on the strength of his certifications (Net+ and MCP).



Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[fs483]

Don't be afraid of the 2 to 5 years experience required. Employers or HR depts sometimes put those terms and other ones without knowing what they are asking. It might be only 2 to 5 years of WORKING experience in general (not completely in the IT field). Also employers sometimes put that to limit how many candidates apply. If you get an interview but don't hired, try to find out why you didn't get it. At my first computer related job, the employer didn't want to hire me so I offered to be an intern without pay. After a few days, the future employer saw I had potential and would show even more enthousiam if he paid me and that's what he did. After gaining 8 months or so I moved onto a national retail computer chain for 8 years (during college and university studies) as a tech. Now I left the national retail chain have my own business in the IT field where we sometimes travel to other continents to install and troubleshoot networks. Who new I would end up where I am now. If you are looking for a job in the IT field, don't expect to get a senior admin job right away and don't give up even if you get a junior admin job. Once you are in the company, you can learn and shine and move up. One thing thought, in smaller companies, you get a chance to pretty much do everything but your resources are limited. In larger companies, your duties are limited but have much more resources at your disposal. When I finished university and was ready to enter the network admin world, I was willing to take a much lower paying job with graveyard shifts changing tapes every night/weekend and holidays just to get experience. I was however lucky to have hooked with a good friend and started a business together. In my case, when I hire employees, I usually look at how resourceful they are. I don't expect them to know everything but I expect them to know how to dig and search for info. Good luck on your job hunt !

 

[DavidChuckRice]

well said akwong!

 

[Eddiefdz]

I agree with akwong!!! I am the IT Manager at a company of about 70 users, and yes being resourceful is the most important thing. You dont need to know everything but you have to be able to learn on your own. Google is my best friend. Every time i am stuck on somthing, i look it up and there it is. There is nothing that you are going to do that someone else hasnt already done and documented!!!

Later,

Eddie Fernandez
CCNA, Network+, A+, MCP