IT Employment·20,059 discussions

How can I get into the industry?

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I’m 35 and have always been interested in Information Technology and I am now pursuing this passion full time. I was told buy a friend that the A+ certification is a good first step so I bought the books studied and recently passed. I also recently started my own business, servicing home and small office computer systems. Unfortunately it’ll take a very long time for me to grow the business and I thought that maybe my best option is to find a job that will give me more hands on experience. The problem is that I can’t seem to get my foot in the door because of my lack of experience. I have been very succesful in my previous industry and have an impressive resume that shows how dedicated and hard working I am. I have gone on some interviews and even entry level positions are hard for me to get. Why?!? Am I doing something wrong. How am I going to get the experience if nobody gives me a chance?! Does anybody have any suggestions?
Thanks for your input.
Pcxpert9

Topic

Can be many reasons

In reply to How can I get into the industry?

Even highly skilled IT people are out of work now and getting hungry as their benefits are used up. So they take low-end jobs just to make ends meet and get some food. Consequently, you are competing against people who leave your skills in the dust. Your best hope is to be amiable and interview well, and get some more certs and/or schooling that you can put on your resume to make it past the hiring department droids.

Other than that, working on PCs & learning networking are the two basics you need.

At 35, Join the Navy!

In reply to How can I get into the industry?

If I were you, I would do a four year stint in the Navy to get my foot in the IT industry. Get out at 39, and secure a government job and retire at 55.

Tell the recruiter you want to work in IT. If you score well enough on the ASVAB, then you will get into IT in the Navy. Don’t wait too long because the Navy has age limit (17-35) on recruits.

If you are married with children, then disregard this advice.

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