out of work IT folks

[denny80688]

Anyone else here seeking employment in the IT field? I graduated from college back in March of 2003 and still haven't been able to find a job that reflects my educational pursuits. I work now as a field manager for a subcontractor of a local cable company (RCN). I handle all of there field service calls for cable modem problems and wireless networks. I also run there small LAN and WAN between 2 offices with a Windows 2000 server and domain of about 10 PCs. Then a VPN setup with an office in NJ. Now I have work experience.. a 4 year degree and I cant even get so much as a call back or e-mail for a job application. I apply to about 5-10 jobs a week for the last 1 year+ and cant get an interview.. what a crock! I am grateful to have the crummy job I have, but working 6 days a week for a miserable salary, no benefits, no vacation, retirement or anything else is getting old... I know many others are in the boat with me just wanted to see if any were on here..

 

[jkvjl]

Keep you head up. Things will get better for you.:cheer:

 

[tangman99]

It's getting better. I have been an IT contractor for 11 years. I would be out of work between contracts for usually about 3 months. Not too bad really. One of the companies that I have contracted off and on for the past 9 years recently made me a good offer that I accepted. I had to take a paycut, but I'm home everynight with my daughter which is worth much more than money.
I don't know much about the area you live in, but are you applying outside of where you live? You often have to relocate in the IT field to get a good job. I've traveled and worked all over the country and caribbean.
Good luck and hang in there.

 

[lovethesea]

to add to what Tangman said, some IT firms here will offer you "bench time". This keeps the firms on their toes as far as keeping you employed when the company you are doing work for no longer has any more projects for you. If you aren't on the bench you can go awhile as stated. BUT, you do make more money, but have to take care of all of your benefits.
And they do make offers. Its how a lot of people get in the door.

 

[tizzo]

Have you applied at the hospitals in your area?? They are usually one of those places nobody thinks of... Good luck though.

 

[bradttu]

<

[hr]
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Texas.
Thankfully, I have a great job working for Texas Tech University as a web developer. I am bored to tears with web development. I've been doing it for almost 6 years now. I'm trying to move into other areas of IT, but I'm having a hard time doing it. It's not that I can't get interviews. The problem is that the places don't want to pay anything. There are a lot of places that have offered me jobs, but I would have to take a major pay cut.
You might have to start looking at other areas. I don't want to leave Texas, so I am looking in the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, and Houston areas. There are lots of IT jobs in these areas, but I'm in competition with thousands of other extremely talented people.
Another thing you might look at is additional education and/or certifications. This is something else that you can have on your resume that someone else might not have. I have 2 semesters left and I'll have my MBA. I got my A+ certification when I was still in college. Granted, the A+ certification isn't hard to get, but some people don't have it, and that might make me look a tad more qualified than the guy next to me. I’m thinking about doing the Network+ certification over the Christmas holidays.
Chin up! Keep looking and something will come your way. A little IT humor….Just remember, there are tons of stupid people out there that need people like us to fix their problem. As long as these people keep working, we’ll keep working.

 

[nw2sltfsh]

Originally posted by bradttu
[BChin up! Keep looking and something will come your way. A little IT humor….Just remember, there are tons of stupid people out there that need people like us to fix their problem. As long as these people keep working, we’ll keep working. [/B]

That is the truth!
I currently work in Desktop support for AT&T - there are alot of jobs out there but I do agree you have to move to get them.
What sites are you looking on - there are many job search sites that specialize in IT without using moster or hotjobs

 

[simm]

IMO most IT places look for certifications such as MCSE, CCNA and such rather than a degree.

 

[bradttu]

Originally posted by simm
IMO most IT places look for certifications such as MCSE, CCNA and such rather than a degree.
Agreed!
Hey, did you get that job at Tech?
NW2SLTFSH - How about some links to those job search sites!

 

[simm]

Originally posted by bradttu
Agreed!
Hey, did you get that job at Tech?

Yes I did. Been here since End of July. I love it.

 

[denny80688]

yeah I have been using monster, flipdog, and carreerbuilder. All are pretty much useless. I did apply to one local hospital and have 2 contact names for a second very large hospital system in my area. going to send out the resume there tomorrow. I also do side work generated from service calls at peoples homes.. big no no but what ya gonna do. they have problems and money and I have mornings off till 10am. I have thought about moving but I just got married and my own place here so leaving isnt really an option right now. As I said before atleast I have my job to support me till something better comes along! I have also heard schools oftin are an untapped resource. all of them have networks now many with no IT staff.

 

[bradttu]

Originally posted by simm
Yes I did. Been here since End of July. I love it.
It's great, isn't it! :jumping:
shoot me an email, brad.stillwell@ttuhsc.edu

 

[simm]

YGM

 

[nw2sltfsh]

for those that are interested here is a partial list of websites that have employment oppt. listed - some are very speccified those for IT have it marked next to it - I have additional information as well that can be emailed (too big to past here)
Web Sites/Job Boards (www.): <<http://www.): >>
[Note: Most of these sites are “general” in nature. I’ve designated which sites are specialized for either IT/Telecom (IT) or Marketing/Marcom/PR (MKT)]
Jobcircle.com
Nextsource.com
Computerjobs.com (IT)
ITharvest.com (IT)
Truecareers.com
Monster.com
Gojobs.netfirms.com
USjobboard.com
Flipdog.com
Dice.com (IT)
Job.com
Grassisgreener.com
Careerbuilder.com
Guru.com
Hotjobs.com
Futurestep.com
6figurejobs.com
3dnet.org
chiefmonster.com
spencerstuart.com
analyticrecruiting.com
radiofreeq.com (IT)
altavistacareers.com
higheredjobs.com (Education)
hirenj.com
kforce.com
nytimes.com
broadbandcareers.com (IT)
simpleresumepost.com
jobsearchwarehouse.com
firstinterview.net
hirehealth.com (Pharmaceutical)
careerexchange.com
workinpr.com (MKT)
jobnetwork.com
worktree.com
operationit.com
net-temps.com
nycjobs.net
hirediversity.com
jobsbl.com
techjobsonline.com (IT)
leadersonline.com

 

[tangman99]

Originally posted by simm
IMO most IT places look for certifications such as MCSE, CCNA and such rather than a degree.
I'm not so sure if that's exactly true. I owned my own consulting company for a few years and I spent a lot of time finding subcontractors to work jobs. I was usually helping the company I contracted for find other workers. A College degree was a must to even be considered. We used to look at MCSE's CCNAs, CCNPs and other degrees but these days we don't pay much attention to them due to the fact that the majority of people that we interviewed were "Paper MCSEs" or took a boot camp and had no real work experience. My big criteria when looking for someone is experience in the area that I need them. They can have every certification in the world, but I'm going for experience.
Back in the early 90's I had many of the Microsoft certifications. Today I don't have a single one. I'm a Technical Architect and deal with so many technologies from Networking to Security to Application Development that I don't have time to stay current with certifications. Fortunately I have so much experience that it is not a problem for me. I can't remember the last time anyone even asked me about certifications.
Now just starting out, that makes it difficult. I've hired a few people right out of college mainly because they were motivated, interviewed well and had an attitude that I thought would make them successful. The main reason I considered them was for the same reason that everyone else does. You don't have to pay them much. Fact of life. I paid my dues also out of college before I started making good money.
One interesting fact I learned while attending a mandatory employment class when I was drawing unemployment between contracts. The lady said that over 70% of all people are hired for jobs based on knowing someone.

 

[simm]

I work at a University. I dont have a degree but have all kinds of certs. I was told I was hired by my experiance and my certifications. Just as the other 3 people we hired as well. May not be the case in your area but in mine it is.

 

[beth]

I am not IT, but I think this is a profession where you have to be willing to relocate around to find a job.