Career Advice

[Linux_cat]

I need some help, I am currently working for a college in a youth work role and have no IT experience, apart from that fact i run my dads home system that runs an epos system on windows 98/xp, I also run RH9 and home which is part of the network i have set up, but no commerical experience.

I recently passed my cisco fundamentals in Unix course and was wondering what my chances where of getting into a support/admin unix role in the UK. I have been told to do the comptia linux+ course, which is relatively cheap, but i dont know what my next step should be.

Can anyone give me some advice?, i want to get into the industry as quick as possible,

Thank you.

[XavierP]

Firstly, get your cv up to date.

Then, I would contact temping and contract agencies - you could gain experience and contacts by doing short term work. Additionally, no company likes to see periods of unemployment on a cv - by taking short term work (and lots of it) you are showing yourself to be motivated. Also, head down to your local JobCentre - there are hundreds of thousands of jobs out there.

Finally, start sending your cv and a covering letter out to companies. Even if they have nothing available immediately, they will at least have you on record.

Good luck.

[Linux_cat]

Thank you i will get on the case as soon as possible, also is it worth lying about experience?, could i draw on the system i run for my dad at home in my CV?.

[Parcival]

Lying about experience generally is a bad idea as companies are quick to find out if the demand gets too big for you. Plus you also save yourself a lot of stress if you're honest in your interview because you're more likely to find a job that fits your needs.

Yes, you can write down your home admin experience in your CV. For CVs there's one golden rule: they are being rewritten for each job application because every job application is different. If it makes sense to list that particular experience for a job you're going for, write it down, otherwise don't.

[Linux_cat]

Thank you, you have been most helpful are IT cv's different in layout and length than normal CV's, I ask this as a general rule is that CV's should not be more than two pages in length, what you think about this?.

[hard candy]

I think IT cv's have to be written in assembly language, do they not? Or at least binary. :)

[XavierP]

If your knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience will stretch to 2 pages, by all means fill them. If not, don't pad it out - I have sifted cvs and finding a large pile of 4, 5 and 6 page cvs made me groan.

Don't bother attaching a photo (that's an old fad, long since gone). You need to put relevant info:
* Your name, address, contact number(s), driving licence detail (if you have one).
* A SHORT paragraph giving your qualities "a motivated person keen on...." etc etc Write this at the end - you want it to back up the rest of the info.
* Your qualifications - just do the name of the school, the dates from and to (month/year format) and the course title and grade earned. Keep that bit fairly brief - after a certain period has gone by after you got them no one really cares)
* List any formal training you have had and if you gained a certificate of achievement of any kind.
* Work experience - dates from & to, where it was and a brief paragraph about what you did.
* List any outside work/training/knowledge - again, brief but informative
* Give the names/addresses of at least 2 references. Ideally, one will be from an employer so they can say how hard working and skilled and motivated you are.

Remember the golden rule - white space catches the eye. You need it to look professional and to impart as much knowledge in as little time as possible. I would also do 3 versions to keep on file - 1 of 1 page, 1 of 2 pages, and a very detailed lengthy cv. If possible contact the firm to ask questions about it (if you can, find out how they like the cvs to look - always helps to have a head start).

When looking over the cv, put your self in the following position "you are an employer looking to hire someone, would seeing this cv in a pile of 100 cvs make you want to read it or throw it away". Most eployers will have a stack of cvs from people just like you, you want yours to be noticed. Do not experiment with different coloured papers and inks - it makes you look like a clown (and not in a good way).

After you have sent it, wait 3 working days and then politely call to see if they have received it - this will hopefully ensure that your name is in the head of the interviewer (so, call before applying to ask about the firm, after the 3 days when you call about the cv ask questions again to fill in blanks).

At the interview, no matter what the job is, wear a suit with a tie. Odds are, the interviewer(s) will be wearing one and it will annoy them if you don't. Also, question them about their policies - dress code, training, development, etc. Make a list of questions and their follow ups so you have something to ask at the time.

And smile and be confident!

So, shoulders back, stomach in, pull your socks up, straighten up, fly right and enjoy yourself :)

Good luck.

[Dark Ninja]

Originally posted by hard candy
I think IT cv's have to be written in assembly language, do they not? Or at least binary. :)

Haha...I find it funny that you suggest that binary is easier to write than assembly (via - "...at least binary...")

Heh...problem is...I have to agree with you.
(ASSEMBLY = BLEH! :confused: :mad: :eek: )

[Linux_cat]

I really thank everyone for their advice and words of enouragement, this linux community thing is so cool. One day when i'm a fully fledged linux proffesional on loads of dosh with huge amounts of knowledge i will return the favour....somehow.