[Mattj]

I have been having the hardest time finding a job in IT ever since I finished my course. I am 20 years old, and have my CCNA and have also completed a 1500 hour Network Administration (A.E.C) course in Quebec. I did a two and a half month stage at a company, they liked me, gave me 100% mark for my class. They hired me back on a one month contract to replace the main IT guy while he was on vacation. Everything went smoothly, employees even e-mailed my boss telling him how much of a good worker I am and how they should hire me. But the company simply didn't need a second IT Admin guy, and couldn't hire me.

I have had my resume on Jobboom, workopolis, kovasys and monster. I get tons of job oppurtunities e-mailed to me, 70% which I feel comfortable with, but I never get a reply back, no call, no e-mail, nothing.

I cannot figure out what I'm lacking. My resume does point out the year I graduated in high school so they are able to figure out my age, I am not sure if they think 20 years old is too young. I only have about 5 months working experience next to my 1500 hour course. I don't know if it's the lack of experience.

Basically I hear people saying that I should go do help desk phone job and get experience, I really do not want to do a job like this, I feel that I will not learn more.

Should I just find a different career?

[TheDarkLord]

Yeah its a little rough out there, but don't worry its not the end of the world.

Instead of going to these generic job sites, try something real or atleast local.

Try Dice for Canada, here is a link: http://seeker.dice.c...FRMT=0&caller=3

Have you looked into craigslist.com .

Check your local newspapers.

And finally contact a few job placement agencies. they will work for you, cause you generate their commission.

Don't loose hope, keep trying.

[Darby Weaver]

Good advice Darklord.

Matt,

Don't give up just yet.

When I left a cozy position at a Fortune 500 to go to a small-time Cisco Partner and had the wool pulled from under my feet and then landed out of the frying pan into the fryer working for another Fortune 500 that seemed like they were on a witch hunt...

I was tired of those games too. I was.

I put out resumes for anyone of my skill sets. The idea was simple: Will work for rent and food. Just like that.

Yep, I looked at my expenses and was ready to figure out how to make it on as little as half my salary as a lead Sr. Network Engineer.

Just like that!

So what does that have to do with you?

Chin up!

Get a job, any job and even the help desk will do. Get paid, pay your bills, and keep looking for the right job.

I got lucky and found a super job in the next metro area about 2.5 hours from my home and after almost a year they let me work in my own town where my house was (means I did not have to sell in the worst economy we've known in my adult life).

You need to keep looking but don't look a gift-horse in the mouth either.

Look at your actual income needs and find a job that at least pay the basics.

Later you can afford pride. If we don't have a job our first priority should be to get a job. Nothing else.

Pride is not Power.


I promise if I could not find a job in my field - I know where the local 7-11 and McDonald's Restaurant are and I can probably get a job at either (I've worked for both in the past).

Chin up, catch your breath, and relax. Focus on want you need and not want you want until you have what you actually need.

Then build your platform from there.

BTW - It is always easier to get a job when you have a job (any job).

This post has been edited by Darby Weaver: 04 February 2010 - 04:30 PM

[Kovasys]

Hi,

Alex here from Kovasys Inc. in Montreal. I see that you are applying for network admin positions. I do not think it is your age - as I've started my own development career when I was 17.

However seeing that you are applying for a network admin answers some questions. Right now what we find is that there are a lot of network admin guys but just few positions. A recent position for a network admin generated over 150 applicants when our client just wants to interview 5 candidates.

So supply and demand as they say in the economics class is not in your favour. At least not at the moment. We see more and more clients are asking for certifications - so it is a good think you have done CCNA. Let me know if there is something else we can help you with.

--
Alex Kovalenko
Director of Operations @ Kovasys Inc.
IT Headhunting & Recruiting | Chasseur de Tête en TI
888.568.2747 x701 | http://www.kovasys.com

Read About Us in the News:
http://www.kovasys.c...US/Default.aspx

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http://www.linkedin....ups?gid=2464449

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Mattj, on 03 February 2010 - 11:51 PM, said:

I have been having the hardest time finding a job in IT ever since I finished my course. I am 20 years old, and have my CCNA and have also completed a 1500 hour Network Administration (A.E.C) course in Quebec. I did a two and a half month stage at a company, they liked me, gave me 100% mark for my class. They hired me back on a one month contract to replace the main IT guy while he was on vacation. Everything went smoothly, employees even e-mailed my boss telling him how much of a good worker I am and how they should hire me. But the company simply didn't need a second IT Admin guy, and couldn't hire me.

I have had my resume on Jobboom, workopolis, kovasys and monster. I get tons of job oppurtunities e-mailed to me, 70% which I feel comfortable with, but I never get a reply back, no call, no e-mail, nothing.

I cannot figure out what I'm lacking. My resume does point out the year I graduated in high school so they are able to figure out my age, I am not sure if they think 20 years old is too young. I only have about 5 months working experience next to my 1500 hour course. I don't know if it's the lack of experience.

Basically I hear people saying that I should go do help desk phone job and get experience, I really do not want to do a job like this, I feel that I will not learn more.

Should I just find a different career?

[mip104]

Moving to career builders...

This post has been edited by mip104: 05 February 2010 - 12:21 AM

[Mattj]

Thanks for the replies guys.