Still searching after 8 months... 3

[jsingh7]

Please give me some advice...

I graduated 12 months ago in M.I.S. I worked for Lucent Technologies as a Network Systems Engineer for 5 months and got layed off So I have been looking for a job in [NY,NJ,CT] since May of last year. I've had 2 internships, IT Support, and Server Administrator. So altogether I've had 2 years of experience.

Now, after searching extensively for over 7 months, I have given up and started Self Study for the CCNA. I have posted my resume everywhere on the internet, applied for jobs from newspapers, went through numerous contacts and leads...Still, nothing! I've had 5 interviews in total, but all were Recruiting Firms... I've even started considering Desktop Support, Helpdesk type positions... Still NOTHING!! I have great communication and interpersonal skills, great resume...Still NOTHING! Please help me...What else can I do, and who else can I go through?

J. Singh

 

[Guest_imported]

Darn, you already have 2 years of experience and you're still having trouble findind a job?? well not to discourage you butthere isn't a whole lot of openning for IT jobs these days. so don't feel so bad, alot of people are going through this rightnow. The only thing I can suggest is keep applying, its only a matter of time and luck. Life can change around very quickly, so hang in there bud!!

good luck

CHEERS

 

[jasek78]

It took me over a year to find a job in the field. I spent most of that time working 3rd shift at a local supermarket. Then I got a job via a friend I went to school with as a network admin for a distribution company. 6 months later, I ended up working on the floor loading semi trailers. It took me almost 9 months before I got a job through a temp/recruiting agency working in the multimedia dept of a multi-Billion $$ corporation (granted, all I did was organize images, when I did anything). Through that job, I got hooked up with my current employer, and now I'm in a job that I enjoy.

 

[BeckahC]

I started as a clerk... then moved up to another form of a clerk... now I am a programmer. I got my foot in the door by temping, then made my way up the ladder and transferred into Info Mgmnt. Of course, I don't have a degree, but I do know of several others who started out in other departments and transferred in also (with degrees). Now I am a programmer working with SQL Server and ASP and am the only one who does what I do/works on the programs that I helped develop and maintain.

Good Luck! The right position will come along, just have patience, persistance, and maybe a bit of faith tossed in there, too! You are qualified - it's just a very stiff market out there right now. BeckahC

 

[LoaferMan]

For now, just get any sort of job. H&R Block may need people to key in information. The economy will get better later. Go yourself to small businesses and offer low rates to do some of their projects. They are not all doing poorly.

Ross Perot said once that if he lost his billions he would cut grass or make sausage. ...And he meant it. Just do something to bring in a little income, enough to keep the lights on anyway. Even 20 hours a week will keep you feeling like you are doing something. Don't wait for the perfect job and don't use your credit cards to live on (or your old 401K if you have one.) LoaferMan - There is no practice life. This is it. (Billy Crockett)

 

[carp]

You might try contracting - either through an agency or independently. When I was laid off, I started bidding forjobs on eLance (sorry for name-dropping; this really isn't a plug!).

It really isn't too difficult to set up your own LLC (at least, it's very simple here in Colorado and I'm led to believe this is the case just about everywhere - check with your state's Secretary of State web site). This gives you some personal protection from liability and makes you seem like a more legitimate business. You can be making some money as well as fleshing out your resume. And, since you're independent, you can choose your own hours to work around the "other" job you'll probably need at the outset.

I have to agree with previous postings - it's ugly now, but it is already getting better. Don't give up; just find a different approach to the problem.

 

[RayWilson]

Hey Buddy,

Step back a bit and assess your situation. It appears, in total, that you have two years experience but haven't kept a job for more than, what, a year? It may not be your fault, you got laid off, but your potential employer will wonder why someone else didn't get laid off instead of you. Especially if they're not local. They also won't go for someone based *entirely* on their credentials and who puts all there stock in them. They need to see your personality at the interview - your one shot for the job - and you need to give them a reason to pick you above everyone else. I hope you are *not* putting that you're a good communicator and have great interpersonal skills on your CV! That's a common naivety. Your interviewer will know what you are from you actions and they way you have formed your CV; (s)he doesn't need to be told. It's just little things. It's good that you're going for your CCNA. I am too; which shows self motivation, a desire to learn and not resting on your laurels. But I think, like what I'm doing, you need to build up two years experience solid! Prove that you can hold down a job.

HTH

R

 

[BeckahC]

I don't want to get off topic, but I have a quick question:

What is a CV? Is sounds as if it is a resume, if so, why "CV"? Please pardon my interruption, but I was just curious.

Thanks in advance! BeckahC
X-)

 

[MasterRacker]

From dictionary.com:

curriculum vi·tae n. pl. curricula vitae Abbr. CV
A summary of one's education, professional history, and job qualifications, as for a prospective employer.

Basically, it's the European term for resume.

(When I looked out the window I could see Vee but I decided to resume working on my resume instead of my CV.)

"Mom, I think Uncle Jeff's brain is broken again....."
Jeff
I haven't lost my mind - I know it's backed up on tape somewhere ....

 

[BeckahC]

Thanks MasterRacker BeckahC
X-)

 

[RayWilson]

Yeah, "CV" means curriculum vitae (pardon the spelling). It is latin for "course of life". It's amazing what you can learn in a day

R

 

[BeckahC]

Thanks RayWilson.

I've always thought - if you can go through a day without learning something, the day isn't over yet! BeckahC
X-)

 

[jsingh7]

A Message To Everyone Who Has Posted Responses to my Post...

Well firstly, thanks for all the responses you all posted. Just to let everyone know, I was involved in my Second Layoff a couple weeks ago. I took everyones advice and got an Administrative job ...working for a Bank Research Dept. Nothing to do with my major or area of expertise, but hey I had to do something. After working there for just a couple weeks, I actually had an interview at the Bank's IT Dept. and things looked really good. I even became good friends with the LAN Tech guys from IT. Then right before I thought they were gonna hire me for the job, I got a call from the Temp Agency I was working through, and they told me the Temp Assignment is OVER!

So, I'm back to Point A, looking for a job once again. Also, for the Post about holding a job... 100,000 Employees were laid off by Lucent, of which I was one. Laid off employees were determined not by Level of Skill, but Length of Time working for the company. If I can't even be given a chance to prove what I'm made of, then I just don't know what to do! FYI, I've had two jobs that lasted for atleast 2 years...in the past, during and before college.

 

[AyJayEL]

Hey don't give up. You'll make it. I started as a temp, PA to a director and now I am an ICT Officer writing Crystal Reports. Make sure that if you are doing a job (like I was) that you have taken just to keep food on your plate, you show them what you can do in the IT area and if you have talent it will be recognised. It might take a while but it will be worth it in the long run. It's about time I moved on before I am too old to be considered (I'm 49 now and ageism is rife in England in IT). My problem is no official qualifications. But that's another story.

Good luck

Andrea Learn something new every day *:->*

 

[BeckahC]

I agree, you shouldn't give up! I started as a temp clerk and it took me a couple of years, but here I am, and have been for awhile, programmer and part of the IT department! You can do it, you just need a whole lot of patience. BeckahC

 

[B827]

The hardest thing is getting to the point where you can show what you can do. Once you are in it's al up to you. Andy is quite right age is a problem in the UK. Sandy

 

[LoaferMan]

It sounds like you have a lot of emotion about your job losses. That can be good if it makes you angry in the right direction. Just don't focus it on the prior employers. Use it for rocket fuel to get you going in the right direction.

I have a saying, "Life is only one day long." It means that I have no guarantee of tomorrow so I can't worry about tomorrow. It means that yesterday was already a blip on the radar screen, so I won't kick myself too hard about yesterday. It means that if I want to create any habits or charter the future, I only have a data point with a time span of one day to work with. So if I want to become an athlete I have to work out today. If I want to become slimmer, I have to eat better today. If I messed up yesterday, that's too bad, but I am not going to worry about it. It's poof!! gone!!!.

Your value is not whether people hire you or not. Your value is not your job. Your job is not your employability. Look at Grandpas and Grandmas. They are extremely valuable, yet we don't rate them by their resume.

There is another thing I use that makes me feel better about layoffs. (3 so far. All of which I worked free overtime for, by the way. Don't do that.) I use something called the EIT (Employer Intelligence Test). If an employer wants to hire me or keep me or promote me, I consider the employer very intelligent. Why? They know a great employee when they see one. If an employer wants to demote me or fire me or lay me off, I pity them. They don't have much intelligence. They are squandering opportunity and potential. Some employers just are too stupid.

I am proud that you went out and got another job and I am proud that you got laid off. It takes courage to get a job, and a lay-off is another notch in your belt. Don't even sweat it. Find an intelligent employer. Sell your skills. Get back in the ring. We are cheering for you. LoaferMan - There is no practice life. This is it. (Billy Crockett)

 

[Dattman]

LoaferMan, that makes a lot of sense.

I was a WAN Network transmission engineer for Nortel, doing Inst/Maint&ops/Commissioning on SDH networks, and darn good at my job, but got layed off in March last year. After looking for work for 6 months (looking was a full time job in itself) I still had no luck: I had been offered a job with 360 Networks in Copenhagen and as I was just about ready to step onto the plane there, they went into recievership, that kind of thing has happened to me 3-4 times in the last 15 months.

I have decided that although the whole telecom/IT sector is down at this moment in time, the best thing I can do is keep myself prepared for when my tallents will be recognised, so like our friend here, I am expanding my skill set at college with LAN networking: CCNA and e-learning courses, while doing any job that roles my way in the mean time.

In the last 9 months I've done everything from being a filing clerke at a hospital to being a project officer at a development agency (which is my current role:I'm contracted 1 week at a time).

It is not us that have to shoulder any fault, its just the way the industry is right now.

The thing that keeps me positive is that I have a long term plan which is in place, in the short term I work and keep my eyes open and my skills sharp: our time WILL come again, and when it does you will be ready to take it.

The Dattman

 

[jsingh7]

Good advice most definately... I have actually been studying for my CCNA exam and plan to take it soon. I guess the best thing you can do at this point is add to your skillset. My plan is to achieve my CCNP after I complete my CCNA... in the meantime... if a job opportunity comes along, I will definately pursue it. Good luck to all of you!

J.