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  • #2080748

    Help Me Get this Job and you will score

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    by sselinger ·

    I am currently a MCSE,MCT who is working in a smaller market in Canada (under 100,000). I am currently instructing a Windows NT 4.0 track and have absolutely no job security. The company I am working for may go under in the near future. Needless to say I am looking for another job. The market in Canada for MCSE’s is very full currently. I am applying for a position in the health related sector and am looking for tips to help me secure the position. The position is very entry level (help desk) but the company is very secure. I have spoken with the hiring manager before about another position which I was not qualified for. I am looking for the most creative tips to help me secure this position. I can send a job description to anyoneseriously willing to receive these points.

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    • #3892073

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by cayetms ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Only God can turn the world upside down through the eyes of faith. Prayer with faith unlock God’s power. Just follow God’s instructions (God’s will and He will confirm it in His word)and be sensitive to the leading(small sweet voice) of the Holy Spirit who is our greatest teacher, comforter, counselor and Prince of Peace. This world is almost sinking and only the Lord can do the battle. Satan came to destroy, kill and to steal our greatest joy of knowing the Lord as our personal Lord and Savior. But God’s promise is ,I did not come to condemn the world but to give them life and have it more abundantly.God Bless!

    • #3892071

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by cayetms ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      2 years is more than enough to be qualified if you are really interested to do the job done. You have your part to perform which 50 percent but leave the 50 percent to the Lord and He will guide you into all truth and I’m sure He will never fail HisChildren if you are REALLY a child of God. Personally, I have a lot of struggles in my life but only the Lord is my strength and 100 percent He is alive and His word is powerful and it is sharper than any two edged sword. But this time, our time isso short we need to share the word of God to the lost and dying world. As what Jack Van Empe , we are almost approaching to the edge of eternity and we are not ignorant of what’is going on in our world Satan are trying to decieve millions of people by performing miracle and wonders but stand still and see the salvation of the Lord but don’t be foolish like Moses who did not follow God’s instructions (God said speak to that rock but he struck it as simple as that but he was disqualified and if you are faithful in sm

    • #3892052

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by calves ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Well, I am not a person of big words, but I tell you my secret to sucess:
      Commitment!
      Beleive in yourself and let the company know you are the man for the job. Let them know they will not find a better person for the job.
      Did you right the interviewing Manager a tank you note?
      Are you calling frequently to follow up on the position?
      Show them that you want that job so bad, you will not let them go until they either tell you yes or no!
      If you talk to them again, don’t sell yourself, but the things you can do to make the company a better place.
      Employers are looking for people that have commitment with the company. They will pay the big bucks for those who bring profits to the organization. Show them you are the man!

      Best of luck!

    • #3892044

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by mikeheitz ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I just received a job offer for a position that I did not feel I was qualified for. I have 5-6 years expereince in IT, but mostly in NetWare. I am starting tomorrow as the Senior Systems Engineer for a company running strictly NT. Basically, what I did was to be the most energetic candidate that walked in the door! I do not have my MCSE completed (MCP is done), and I am sure he interviewed people that were more qualified. I basically made him feel like not hiring me, regardless of what my background was, would be a mistake. I got the dream job (NT, CISCO, Linux… not a NetWare server in sight!!!) and good $$$. Granted, I live in Chicago which is a huge market, but if you feel you can handle anything they throw at you, make sure you get that across. And do be afraid to show your excitement at the possibility of working there!!!

      mheitz
      CCNA, MCP

    • #3892037

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by jcmiller ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      quick question have you already given the new company a copy of your resume? I was just recently in the job hunting market and found that a unique resume was the key to getting your foot in the door. Here’s what I did on mine. I’m a Scouter so I used this to my advantage ever heard a scout is trust-wroth, loyal, help-full, thrifty, etc well I listed each of those (help-full I will be helpfull to all system users no matter what impossible task are asked)with a desription of what I would bring to the company. Next is the interview companies are looking for an individual with a good positive attitued, sell your-self, what can you bring, why can’t the company live with out you. I can E-Mail you a copy of my resume if you would like jimm@hubbardfeeds.com……
      good luck

    • #3892029

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by kenowsley ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      In addition to the answers already posted, I will say this: Most computer people, IS professionals, whatever you want to call them, approach life from the perspective of a computer. However, the rest of the world isn’t that way. A trully forward thinking manager wants someone who is not all techy. You have to show him you understand the needs of business, that you have a “big picture” mentality. I am talking about synergy. Make sure the manager knows that you want to be a part of the team that helps grow the business. You have to have a business mind, not just a computer mind. If you don’t, you will never be qualified for anything more than a helpdesk technician, regardless of your certifications.

    • #3892023

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by kevin_b ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      For the job you don’t think you are qualified for, stress what you do know, not what you don’t. Most people put unreasonable demands in the job descriptions to weed out the people that aren’t really after the job. Stress how much and what you havelearned and that it is a very good indicator of what you can learn in the future. The basic concepts are all the same, but each company has its own flavor. Also, you can take a course or start self study in the area(s) that you think will get you qualified for the position. Most managers are more interested in whether your personality fits with the company , not if you meet all the technical specs. You can teach technical knowledge, not personality. Good Luck!

    • #3892014

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by web maxtor ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I learned a little technique in Psych 101 class where if you force yourself to smile, your brain reacts and you actually become happier. Use the same technique. Call yourself exceptional, and you will be. Be the best and brightest they’ve seen. Kick techno-butt.

      If that doesn’t work, move to a tech hungry area in the states. My friends currently prefer the Carolinas. The beer isn’t as good, but the weather is much better.

    • #3892008

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by mcse lee ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      If you’re currently an MCSE/MCT, I think you’re under-selling yourself by going for an entry level helpdesk position, but if that’s what you really want…

      A job description would be helpful – I know of several ‘techniques’ that may help you, butalso may not be appropriate for the company/position you’re applying for. If you can, send a description to lkadel@vsc.teksystems.com, and I’ll be happy to send you a few helpful hints.

      One thing you definitely want to do – sell your qualifications. Not as they apply to the position, but as they would apply to the company as a whole (or the IT department, if it’s a large enough organization).

      Email me and we’ll discuss options.

    • #3892001

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by mcorr ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I know a local place that is looking for an MCSE. It is stable, growing, and has very good mamagement.

      Email me your resume and I will forward it on! mcorr@hotmail.com

      Chris

    • #3891995

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by olopez ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      First let me say that every suggestion I read on this board is inportant.

      If you are a MCSE and MCT it is of my opinion that you are over qualified for this job. But my hints to getting a job you want is to make eye contact whenever possible. Beconfortable with the interviewing processes. Know that not only are you been interviewed but YOU are interviewing them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and let them know you are confident of your skils. Don’t be afraid to smile and crack a moderate joke if it’s appropriate. In my recent interviews I have been asked the question “where do you want to be in 3-5 years” my answered has been sitting on that chair and pointing at them. It has always worked for me and lighten things up a little. I must tell you I have gotten my last 2 jobs while using this line but must warn you that it has to used on the right person. Both of the managers I used it on were very laid back. You want to make a connection with the person you interviewing with.

      Good Luck and rem

    • #3891987

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by al macintyre ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I agree with Ken Owsley in Answer # SIX … to be successful in IT you need to know some application(s) that computers serve, since technology re-invents itself continually.

      What we know today about computers will probably be meaningless useless 10 years from now if trends continue the way they have been going since I got into the IT profession in the 1960’s. If anything the trends have been accelerating.

      I get jobs, not because I knew some operating system or programming language, but because I knew how to use them in particular applications … retail, wholesale, distribution, manufacturing of particular kind (I am in wiring harness make to order job shop now), insurance, banking, whatever … if you are the best computer tech in the world, you cannot get a job if you cannot demonstrate an understanding of the applications.

      When I was in college in the 1960’s I also took a class in touch typing, which has stood me in good stead rapidly keyboarding. Being a speed reader also helps rapidly proc

    • #3891985

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by angelis ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I am a CCNA, MCSE, and MCP+I and I use to be in a help desk position. I liked it for about 3 months and became so bored after that. You spend most of you time talking people through silly things. What kind of help desk position is it? If you arehoping to move up fast you may end up very disappointed. But if you really want it, be positive and asertive. Talk about all of the things you know and give short answers on everything else. You can say “I don’t know but I am confident that I canlearn it quickly”. Sit up straight and look them right in the eyes. Answer the questions quickly, don’t “Ahhh” or “Well” or “I think”. That will show that you don’t have confidence. They will be convinced that you know what you are talking about. And, if you act like you really want the job, you won’t get it. End with, “I look forward to hearing from you”.

    • #3891984

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by al macintyre ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Thanks to brain dead computer marketing that ignores the special needs of business nitches, a lot of companies are now struggling to manage misfit aquisitions, requiring mixtures of skills that are seldom found in a single individual … NT off of AS/400 host, e-security based in Unix. If you are expert in one major element of these mixtures, and learn enough to be a little more than a novice in others, so that you can cooperate with that other IT team, then you will find a big demand for workers who know something about BOTH AS/400 and NT or legacy coding (there is stuff that RPG & Cobol can do with data base manipulation that no other language can touch) and web site crafting with the newer languages, so that you can get the applications to communicate effectively with each other … legacy to internet, then you can name your own career, you will be so much in demand.

      This reality will probably continue for about 10 years, in my opinion, until businesses demand the kind of high level computer securi

    • #3893338

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by tgross ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      4 Suggestions:

      1. Meet employees in the company (parking lot, lunch room, leaving the building, etc.0 and tell them you are thinking about working for the company. Ask them what they think about the company. Get their names. Relay favorable comments to the hiring manager (via phone, e-mail, personal note, and in person.) Let her/him know what a great company it is to work for.

      2. Tell the hiring manager, “The Help Desk position is the best place to learn how the company works.” Express your teamwork and likeability traits at this time.

      3. Tell the hiring manager why she/he should hire you. Mention your skill and the respective benefit to the company. Persist.

      4. After your pitch (above) ask the question, “Is there anything else you want to know before hiring me?” Keep asking the question. Be in a “sales close mode.”

      Make your LUCK !!!

    • #3893316

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by hypersoniq mcse ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      1. Do your homework… learn all you can about the company and it’s services. This will help you to fully understand the job and will not look bad to the interviewer 😉

      2. Break down the job description and make your resume read as if they couldn’t possibly consider anyone BUT you for the job by subtly addressing ALL of the job requirements within the resume text.

      3. include a small photo of yourself on the resume cover page… anything you can do to make yourself “stick” in the mind of the interviewer.

      4. Mention, but do not overstress the MSCE. rather, focus on what you can do to be the ideal candidate for the job being offered. Otherwise you’ll set yourself up for the old “over qualified” speech.

      5. Show no ill will toward your current employer in the interview. the fact that you want security in a company is a selling point in itself 😉

      best of luck

    • #3893314

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by dmiles ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Get creative,no matter how many tips you may receive will not get you the job,you will not be able to decipher the tips to fit in whereas you need to sell your self to the company,do some home work about the company,project your commitment to the company,show interest in the personnel you will have to work with,be honest with your self,and ask questions at the end of the interview,review techrepublic job tips by nick crocodolis.
      TIP:Donot go into the interview sounding like your question,If you want the job go for it on your own ideas ,tips and streengths,and answer 1 provided the antedote.God will provide.

    • #3893296

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by babygummi ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I will keep it simple.

      Have a good resume. Make sure no mistakes. Do not make it too complicated either.
      Learn more about the job you are going for. When asked, you will have no problem replying, to show your interest.
      When going for interview,wear neatly. Act confident. Do not show nervousness. When interview done, ask some questions to show eagerness and interest. And yes, smile a bit, do not make it all tension up!
      Hope this helps! Good Luck to your undertakings!

    • #3893263

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by phen ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I suggest you applied for a job that is out of Canada. In the Bay Area the demand is high for MCSE people. If you check out Dice.com they can help you find a good job easier. The help desk job you are applying for will not be something you really want to do. A network admin or system admin would me more suitable for you.

      Good luck !!

      subzero
      (CCNE)

    • #3893036

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by a31modela ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      might as well throw my 2 cents in too. I just started a admin position for a major company, with novell,nt,win2k & notes. I was working for this company in a help desk position. I just got my MCSE about 2 mos ago & while they were initially looking for somebody with 3+ yrs experience, it was my work ethic that helped me get the job.
      “everybody” knows NT but sell em on your desire & fortitude (todays BIG word). I also did volunteer work on my days off for a non profit org to get some hands on until I got a F/T job. showed them that nothing was gonna keep me from getting ahead .
      GOOD LUCK !

    • #3895427

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by mike.erlich ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Employers want people with technical skills, but the people they really want are those with the technical plus the people and communication skills. I would assume that you have had exposure to what is involved in working on a help desk or know friends you have worked on a help desk. Your background in instruction is very handy. I would emphasize in a cover letter how you have handled difficult students and how those skills lead to the student’s success. Have you coached students through their homework over the phone, there is a plus. What about giving phone assitance to family and friends. Remember the cover letter should be short, but you are trying to let them know that you have the interpersonal skills to help all types of people. The resume should emphasize your skills and accomplishments. Your skills are your technical expertise and your training expertise. Emphasize numbers. How big were your classes, how many classes? What was the success rate of your students in graduating? Where have

    • #3895404

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by michael.herman ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I must agree with some of the others, as an MCSE you are over-qualified for a help desk position. There is not much in the Microsoft world that you are not qualified for.
      Your resume must be eye catching, something must stand out to keep it on top of the stack for interviews. My home email-address got me an interview.
      The resume will tell your skills, your interview will sell your desire and abilities. Sell your ability to adapt and learn. You got your MCSE, so you can learn and grow into any position.
      Study the company, people are impressed if you know something about them. It demonstrate initiative. Companies want that.
      1 more thing, follow up with thank you letters to everybody you interview, most importantly, your hopefully soon supervisor. Call and mail often, expressing interest in the position and the company. Mail can be used to add some more strong points that may not have come out in the interview. Once a week do a call and a mail, just to keep your name onthe top of their min

    • #3895144

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by bdivine ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Don’t really care about the points. Best advice I can give is to be honest and sincere. Be able to use your abilities in the real world. The ability to communicate with your peers as well as the most technophobic user will help you go a long way. Bone up on the Health sector. It is good to know current trends and policy. Do not appear to be over qualified. Answer questions succinctly but tailor your responses to fit your audience. I too work on a “Help Desk” as a 2nd level Analyst and Ihave done interviews on both sides of the table. The items I outlined above are what has benefited me and are what I/we look for when hiring.

      I hope this proves useful.

    • #3893927

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by foxy2_angel ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I believe you have great potential if you are committed and have an open mind. There are many jobs out there, if you are willing to possibly relocate, or you may be able to stay in Canada. I work in a University and also an adult student going for my B.S. in Computer Engineering. I am currently working in the Career Development Center at my school. Companies fax us job positions all the time. They also tell us they are having difficulties finding people with committment and experience. It is a known fact that there are not enough people to fill all the positions available.
      I agree with some of the other answers, but I believe you are not over-qualified for the job. I have many links that you may be interested in, as I also helped a friendget a job, and my friend lives in Canada too. Besides working in the Career Center, we also have jobfairs, workshops involving interviews and resumes. These are not just offered to students, they are offered to the public. I also have access to all the resources. I am w

    • #3893795

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by laughter ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      ^ ^ ^ ^
      All these answers are good, and while they usually address part of the solution, nobody mentioned this part: how quickly you learn and assimilate new information and systems.

      Show this with your loyalty, and viola!

    • #3894243

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by silkwyrm ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Include buzz words like “Total Cost of Ownership”, Synergy, “Team Building”, “Value Added”, “I will kiss management’s butt” etc. Management likes familiar phrases like these. It puts them at ease cause they know your talking out of your ass as muchas them, so Bada Bing your part of their “Club”. If you pass a coffee or pop machine on your way to the interview room try offering the interviewer a drink before they have a chance to offer you one. This puts them off balance, in their confusion you will be able to direct the interview as if you are interviewing them. Remember to inform them at the end that they are hired as your new employer. Yes, these suggestions are bogus, but of all tips above you will remember this one and perhaps the “go with God” tips at the beginning. My point? The above are good, but be sure they remember you in a fun pleasant way. Show them your someone they would enjoy working with as well as qualified, dedicated, etc, but above all they must remember you.

    • #3894242

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by robinarm ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      God won’t get you a job – if he could I’d have joined the church years ago. Anyone who tells you that has no confidence in their own abilities and if they can’t believe in themselves to get a job how can they believe in themselves to do a job.

      Asyou say the professional market is full of well qualified people who can all spool of three leter acronims as fast as each other. On paper you may look the same to an employer as anyone else with your qualifications – you can’t help that or address that. A friend of mine worked in recruitment for a very large employer. He told me that he felt he would have had more success selecting the best candidates by throwing their CV’s into the air and catching one than actually looking at the words written on their CV’s. His biggest dilema wasn’t who is best qualified for the job but who did he think he could work with the best. Interpersonal skills are often overlooked by professionals who think the brainiest people are the most likely to succeed. This isn’t the case.

    • #3894239

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by pat estes ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I am in a helpdesk/tech position now, so I think I know what they are looking for.

      When people call on the helpline they are in trouble. You need to be someone that can calm down a frantic caller, as well as keep the calm ones happy.

      You need to the users, which is sometimes more difficult than it sounds. This requires good listning, and good communication.

      You need to be able to communicate your knowledge. Just knowing how to fix things is not enough. You have to be able to explain to someone (often with little experience) how to do this themselves.

      I do not know any tricks or techniques to help with the interview. I think you should try to show the interviewer that you have these skills, and talk about how you can dothe job.

      Good luck.

    • #3894227

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by hrprof ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      When applying for a specific position, it is usually very helpful to rework your resume and develop a cover letter that address each detail of the posting. That is, highlight and draw attention the the skills they mention and downplay those they may not consider. It sounds as if you think you may be seen as overqualified for the position. If this is the case, you will have to give them a good reason why you think you’re skills are a good match. If you will send the job posting and your resume, I see if I can make some suggestions.

    • #3895105

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by pallan ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      There’s been many good suggestions here, although many of them fail to show any understanding of the Canadian market. You’re absolutely right…the market is saturated with MCSE’s.

      As for the help desk job, someone of your experience must be qualified. You’re selling yourself short. If you lack experience in some of the systems you’d be working with, find transferrable experience to demonstrate you’re up to the challenge.

      As a Canadian working in the US, let me stress the benefits of hopping the border. If you’re in a position to do so, do it. I work in a depressed market for a non-profit agency and still make more than I could in Canada. Where I was having trouble finding employment before hopping the border, I now regularly turn down offers from both sides of the border. You have the experience to get you across the border, and you’ll end up with an opportunity to prove your worth in a higher ranking position than you could get in Canada.

    • #3895103

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by rayellis ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Point out how your current skillset will help you to be successful in this new position. Indicate that you are willing to take on new challenges and desire to further your technical and professional development. Be confident in your abilities, but not too cocky. Make them believe that you are the best fit for their organization, both technically and personally. Share your future career goals and how you would like to grow with their organization. Learn about the company before you interview andask the interviewer a few questions regarding the company and thier goals and upcoming projects.

    • #3895094

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by stefan.mcintyre ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      O’k, let’s get down to it. YOU WANT THE JOB.
      so, you need to do the following.

      Define the area of Health that you’re going into. Call other companies (as a researcher from an independent research company) and find out more detail about the area you’re working in.

      Health care covers a broad area, is it Geriatrics, drug research, Nursing home, Independent Living for the elderly, you maybe doing help desk but knowing more about the specific area helps a lot. For instance here in Chicago, if you’re working in a nursing home you could be working in the Elderly work program, DDC (developmentally disabled care) Care & Feeding, Prescription inventory, distribution and coordination. There are a lot of areas and a lot of software that most IT people have never heard of. Familiarity with the area and related software is always good.

      Once you done that concentrate on the skills the inverviewer will be using on you. Turn yourself into the interviewer and see if you can answer all the question YOU might ask

    • #3894998

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by shagymoe ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I’ve been interviewing for a year and NOTHING. Then I get a an opportunity that is so great and that I have NO chance of getting so I buy a $300 suit and $100 shoes. Guess what? After being turned down 300 times, offered crap for pay ($27-31k) I GOT THE JOB! Twice as much as previous offers. Was it the suit? Not entirely, but I’m positive that it put me over the top in a big way…..dress for success.

    • #3894918

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by breeves30 ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      I’d start by researching the company carefully. Find out what kind of problems they face on a day-to-day basis and tailor your presentation to the hiring manager on that basis. Tell him/her what kind of problems you can help them solve (what specific value you bring to the table for them).

      You were not specific on healthcare — this is a catchall for hospitals, physicians, health insurance, etc. I’ve got about 18 years’ experience in medical records, hospital IT, and health insurance (HMO) IT. As far as hospitals are concerned, the pay is generally lower than average for the area and industry, but you can get exposure to a wide range of business applications: the garden variety business apps such as accounting, finance, general ledger, etc., plus an array of clinical applications such as surgery, radiology, nuclear medicine, patient management, etc.

      Hope this helps!! Good luck!

    • #3893626

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by sharpe ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      FREE LANCE…..Become a consultant upgrade your future. WORK FOR YOURSELF!!!!

      DO IT NOW I DID. I am only making about 3000 grand a month, but I wear many different hats during the week.

      Take all your skills design a web site and get busy. Why sell your heart and soul to some other company.

      FREE LANCE.
      Contact me if you wish to benefit from some of my personal tips.

      KEEP THE TECH POINTS

      Revisedcode
      revisedcode@publicatlarge.com

    • #3893547

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by duster52 ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Just be yourself. If they can’t handle your personality as it is on a day-to-day basis, then you don’t want to work there. Don’t change the way you are.

      Make sure you really know what you are talking about from both a business and a technical perspective. If you don’t know something, admit it your lack of knowledge, don’t try to ‘b.s.’ your way around the question.

      Research the company and the job before interviewing.

      Rehearce the interview before you actually interview. Think of the questions you might be asked (there are always standard questions that everyone gets asked – career goals, why are you leaving your current company, etc) and how you are going to answer them.

      And of course courteous, polite, prepared and ON TIME.

    • #3893358

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by amulford ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Turn the interview into a presentation. Pretend that you already have the job, and this is your first meeting in front of the board/president/whomever. You have been asked to define the weak areas in the company and present your solutions to the problems. By controlling the interview in this manner, you will show your prospective employers that you have taken the time to investigate this company to see if 1) it’s a good company for you to join, and 2) that the company will profit from bringing you on board. It will also show them that you have a good grasp on their current situation and can see the direction they want to take AND…that you’re the one to take them there!! Interviewers want solutions to their problem – they want to hire the best person to take care of the mess their company is in – – AND they want to do it as soon as possible so they can get back to doing thier own job. THEY WANT TO GIVE YOU THE JOB!! GOOD LUCK!!

    • #3894692

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by atienne ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      BE DIFFERENT. I think the biggest problem with getting an IT position in this market is experience and customer service. WE IT people are assumed to be so technical that we have no social skills and can only speak in Binary. 90% of IT people will eliminate themselves from positions by exhibiting the typical IT GOD persona during the interview process. Assuming that you have the experience they are looking for, the thing WE have to do aside from actually being qualified is to convince your prospective employer, and BELIEVE yourself that in addition be being qualified that you are a person whom believes that the people you work with, under around, are also people, and be customer service oriented. 90% of getting a job is based on the fact that if the interviewer does not like you, you wont be asked back. Be a person in the interview, not a robot. Being able to do this in the interview process should get you higher up the interview ladder that spouting technical jargon at the HR person who probably does not

    • #3776366

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by g_plumb ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Persistence.
      Keep calling.
      Keep visiting.
      Keep hassling.
      Build bridges with potential co-workers.
      Tell the company exactly why they need you, ie. enthusiasm, 110% effort and genuine interest and commitment. Show them that it is in THEIR interest to employ YOU. With a MCSE in the bag for a help-desk job, I’m sure you are more than qualified for the post.

    • #3776354

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by identcc ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      OK here’s the thing: Help Desk positions are only partially about technical ability. The vast majority of it is about how you are able to deal with your customers. If you can show your prospective employer an example of how you can handle all types of customers, regardless of problem, you’ll get the job, guaranteed.

    • #3776293

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by dennis@l ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Fact is, Chances are since you are over qualified for the job they may see it as a threat to the way they are currently doing business and are satisfied with the personel they have and don’t want to rock the boat by bring you on board.

      However ifyou are will to move to Columbus GA, my company has an opening for a Sr. Network Technician. If you think about considering it call 1 800 793-7251 ask for John or Steve.

    • #3776212

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by fofa ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      A lot of good answers here, first look at what the job requirements are, then ask yourself, what skills do I have that meet this requirement, fully or partially. Then apply that in an interview. If you don’t know, say so, it’s better than giving a bad answer or lieing. be positive, give the impression you are willing to learn, and will benefit the boss and make him look good.

    • #3776208

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by rcharity ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Do you want to wow a company?

      First off, there is no such thing as a secure job – you must stay maketable to be secure.

      Ask these questions before going into an interview:

      1. What problems does the company have?
      2. How can my skills help solve these problems?
      3. What is my plan to help the company solve these problems?
      4. Will my plan fit the companies culture or will I ostracize myself?
      5. How makes the hiring decisions in the company and how can I reach them to understand what isrequired of individuals to succeed within the company?

      Armed with this information, create an interactive presentation that you can give to the company that displays your ability to make a difference, show energy, willingness to learn and determination.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers!

    • #3778572

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by bellis ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      As I read your message, a couple of questions come to mind. 1) Are you seeking a job with the Help Desk because it is what you truly want, or are you just trying to get your foot in the door? 2) Are you over / under qualified for the position, or are you a right-fit talent for the job? As a hiring IT manager with over 22 years of experience, I can promise you that the one interviewing you will know the true answer. My advice is to never shoot for a job that is below your talent level just to get in. Hiring you is a major investment, and most will bypass someone they feel will be moving out of their department soon. Instead, look to see if they will bring you on in a contractor role at a level that is appropriate for your talents. Large companies like to do a “try before you buy”, and many hire exclusively out of the contractor ranks. If you wish to send me your resume, along with a job description, I will be happy to offer an opinion about the fit.

    • #3777115

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by chaosruled ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      One issue that might help you on your quest would be this. Since the position is “entry level” discuss in brief your “unaccomplishments”. Remember this is an “entry level” position. I interview potentials that try to strike me as “godlikes” in theirresumes and initial interviews. They try to be the answer to every scenario that may arise. I hire the individual that knows his/her limitations and tries to “learn” from his peers. The term entry level is just that, the bottom rung so to speak. Don’t place yourself out of the position that YOU want by trying to appear overqualified. State a vulnerable characteristic, let them know they can help you learn to overcome this. The we can be an asset to each other approach is most likely the best option.

    • #3777212

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by thywill38 ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      There is more power in action than in thoughts. With your qualifications, go all out for the job. Think it through however, and be sure this is the job you want. Do not consider just the immediate benefits, think also of the long term.

      If you get it, do not stop there, start looking for a much better one, That is the only way to realise the power in you. Now, go all out for it! Good Luck

    • #3778177

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by njanear ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      The best advice I can give is to have a well worded resume’, if you can send it to someone who can critic it for you. I had an honest recruiter tell me that I had to revamp mine, after I did the offers got better, after two years of bouncing aroundodd jobs I finally got a very good paing job with a small company, now I’m working help desk, and making nearly 6 figures tax free…

      Cheers,

      Njaneardude

    • #3777915

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by renner_steve ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Indicate to the prospective employer that you are seeking long-term employment, and that you would like to work your way up, and take any additional training required, possibly on a payroll deduction basis, if personal finances are a problem. But stress that you are in for the long term.
      Employers like security too.

    • #3785112

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by tedbovis ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Heck there’s a lot of answeres already. I might be no.4568 but here goes anyway.
      If you can stand up and instruct NT4 then you have confidence, and thats what will get you this job, for you to get an interview you have as much chance as all the other candidates and so they will look towards personnality, Stand up and be confident (not arogant though) in everything you do and say, this is probably even more important for someone on a help desk. When it gets down to the issue of money ask for a high sum, you know you are worth it and you will make an asset to this company, if they want you they will negotiate and make you both happy. Remember though that a job that doesn’t challenge you isn’t going to keep much interest, aim high and you will get the great job you deserve, never settle for second best.

    • #3783589

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by seamus ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      You have gotten a number of great answers to this question. I am not sure you will even get to this one there are so many but here goes.

      I was in you position this time last year. I had found the job that I wanted about five minutes from home as a network administrator with the opportunity to implement an ERP package and much technology that I hadn’t worked with before. That is my story now to yours.

      I believe that you are a little over qualified for this position. You need to prepare an answer for this question. If you have an idea of how this position could lead you to your preferred position.
      During the interview you need to be very polite and wait until the interviewer has completely finished asking the question. This shows you are a good listener. Many times this is what is required in a help desk situation.
      If the interviewer gives you information about the company give it back later in the conversation, again showing you listening skills.
      It sounds like you have done some research on the

    • #3782614

      Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      by threenorns ·

      In reply to Help Me Get this Job and you will score

      Hi. There are a lot of good suggestions in here so, like others, I won’t bother reiterating. The best suggestions I can offer you are ones that nearly EVERYONE on this board (with only one or two exceptions) has indicated, but not stated outright:

      a) Sweat the small stuff: check out these answers and notice how many of them are rife with spelling, syntactical, and grammatical errors. Go over your r?sum? 87 times, then have your significant other go over it. Ask them “What do you think? Do you think this accurately portrays my abilities in a positive manner?” I did that, and do you know what my stepdad said? “It says you’re bilingual here… but French and what? Do you even speak English?” Do NOT leave out the obvious!

      b) In Canada, it’s not the same as the States — down South, it’s okay to keep calling and pestering the HR department. Up here, believe me, it’s NOT. In fact, many companies now have a “no phone calls” policy: you call them about 3.8 seconds before your r?sum? hits the s

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