Image
 
linkedin_logo.png rss_logo.jpg
twitter_logo.png youtube_logo.jpg
Latest Additions
 
EH-Net Login
Welcome Guest.






Lost Password?
No account yet? Register
Who's Online
We have 86 guests online
EH-Net News Feeds
Latest Additions
 
Advertisement

You are here: Home arrow Forum arrow Resourcesarrow Career Centralarrow How to get the experience!?
EH-Net
May 25, 2012, 11:16:51 PM *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?

Login with username, password and session length
News: Advertise on EH-Net!! - Reasonable Rates, Highly Targeted Audience.
 
   Home   Help Calendar Login Register  
Pages: [1]   Go Down
  Print  
Author Topic: How to get the experience!?  (Read 5105 times)
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Pacergold
Newbie
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 2


View Profile
« on: August 24, 2010, 01:31:06 PM »

Hey all pretty new here, have been indulged by the vast amount of information on the forums. I currently am working towards a BS in IT and a Masters in IT Security and Assurance. Currently I have my Project +, Network +, A+, CIW Professional, Associates, and Web Design certs. I still have ECC certs to go and Security + which I will be taking shortly. The problem I have run into is I live in a city of ~ 130,000 so not small but not huge, and yet haven't been asked for an interview on any IT jobs (System Admin, Network Admin Help Desk, Web Design consultat ect) yet. I can only think of 2 reasons, one being my resume is horrible (which it isn't) and two lack of professional experience. Any suggestions on how to get over the tip of this iceberg?
Logged
mallaigh
Jr. Member
**
Offline Offline

Posts: 65



View Profile
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2010, 02:06:13 PM »

I had trouble landing job interviews until I started writing my resume and cover letter for the job I was applying for.  I had recently graduated college and was sending out the same generic resume.  When I saw the job posting for my current job (Corporate IT for an internet company), I wrote my resume and cover letter for the job posting.  Seriously, it was the first job I wrote the resume for and I got the job.  The same technique also landed me some interview offers, but I had already accepted this position.  I'm hoping to move up to a SysAdmin position soon. 

Another tip for resume is relevant job experience.  A lot of people put down the jobs they have worked that aren't directly related to the job they applying for.  Unless that is the only work experience you have, it doesn't need to be there.

Since you are working towards your BS, you should also be looking for internships.  People have this stigma that internships aren't paid.  My company has SysAdmin, DBA, and Web production internships; all are paid.  I have also seen several interns get promoted to full-time employees.  Internships get your foot in the door, get you experience, and build your contacts/resume.  If possible, you might want to visit your school's career center or chat up advisors/professors about an internships they might know of. 

Another thing you could do call/email people around you who are working in a field you are interested in and ask them if you can ask them a few questions about what they do.  This is reverse interviewing.  Make sure you have planned out what questions you would like to ask, and it gets you some face time with people in the field.  You do this in hopes that when a position opens up they are aware of, they hopefully will give you a heads up or ask for your resume. 
Logged
mallaigh
Jr. Member
**
Offline Offline

Posts: 65



View Profile
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2010, 02:12:39 PM »

Sorry for the brain dump, but I just thought of some other things.

You say where you live is kind of small.  If possible, you might want to look for jobs in surrounding areas as well. 

I worked in a computer repair shop when I was in college and one of my co-workers did tech support for a local ISP.  That might be something else you might want to consider as well.   
Logged
mallaigh
Jr. Member
**
Offline Offline

Posts: 65



View Profile
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2010, 03:27:17 PM »

I also forgot to add: Welcome to EH Pacergold!
Logged
Pacergold
Newbie
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 2


View Profile
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2010, 01:09:24 PM »

Thanks for all the info! Yea I have no "professional" computer experience I guess you could say, which seems to be the problem, but with out a place to start how can anyone have experience. So I will continue to tailor these resumes and just keep trying. I will have to look into some internships as well.

Thanks!
Logged
MatP
Newbie
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 34


View Profile WWW
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2010, 02:11:46 PM »

Lack of experience is certainly frustrating when you're looking for a job. I'm in a similar position and all the job postings I see want at minimum 5+ years experience.

That being said, I've applied for these positions anyway and often gotten interviews out of it.

Additionally, it's possible that the job was posted publicly but they promoted someone from within to that position, which could lead to a more entry-level position being available, they may contact you for that position instead.

Good luck!
Logged

don
Editor-In-Chief
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3917


Editor-In-Chief


View Profile WWW
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2010, 09:05:58 AM »

Since you're still in school, your options may be limited as to the job you could take or how much time you have to dedicate to looking and actually working, but you also have some avenues open that others may not. Look for job boards posted at school, talk to counselors, talk to your instructors, fellow students, alumni... like it or not, knowing someone in the industry is the best way to get a job.

As for experience, you can get it through internships as you mention, but also don't forget to volunteer your time. That could be at the IT dept at your school, local charity, museum, et al.

Hope that helps and good luck,
Don
Logged

CISSP, MCSE, CSTA, Security+ SME
Pages: [1]   Go Up
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.16 | SMF © 2011, Simple Machines
Joomla Bridge by JoomlaHacks.com
Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
Page created in 0.199 seconds with 23 queries.
 

gk_static-ad_feb2012.jpg
Global Knowledge: Build Security Skills to Protect & Defend

els_130x200fixed2.gif
eLearnSecurity Student Course Now Live!
5% Off with Code
ELS-EH-5

SANS Deals 4 EH-Netters
$150 OFF Any SANS Course in Any Format!
Coupon Code: EHN_Connect Including SANS Security West 2012 & SANSFIRE 2012
Recent Forum Topics

cbtnuggets_logo_125.jpg
Try CBT Nuggets Free!

Vote For EH-Net

Add to Technorati Favorites
technorati fave

 
         
Advertisement

© 2012 The Ethical Hacker Network
Joomla! is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.