#HelpDeskJob #ITJob #JobHunting #Certifications #JobSearch #CareerAdvice
Hey there! It sounds like you’re in a tough spot, but don’t lose hope just yet! Landing a help desk job or any IT position can be a challenging process, but with the right strategies and persistence, you can definitely make it happen. In this article, I’ll cover some tips and advice to help you improve your job search and increase your chances of landing that dream help desk job. Let’s dive in! 💻
## 1. Showcase Your Soft Skills and Knowledge
Soft skills and practical knowledge are essential in the IT industry, and it’s great that you’ve already acquired some valuable skills from your work in retail and your college courses. Here’s how you can effectively showcase these skills:
– Highlight your customer service experience from your retail job and emphasize your ability to communicate effectively, solve problems, and work well under pressure, all of which are crucial in a help desk role.
– Mention your technical knowledge, including your familiarity with Python and any other relevant programming languages or tools. Employers love to see candidates who have a solid foundation in technical skills.
– Tailor your resume and cover letter to specifically align with the requirements and responsibilities of the help desk jobs you’re applying for. Use keywords and phrases from the job descriptions to demonstrate that you have what it takes to excel in those roles.
## 2. Pursue Certifications
Certifications can greatly enhance your credibility and marketability in the IT industry. While studying for certifications can be a financial burden, there are ways to work around it:
– Look for scholarship opportunities or financial aid programs that can help cover the costs of certification exams. Many organizations and educational institutions offer assistance to individuals in need.
– Consider starting with entry-level certifications that are more affordable and can still make a significant impact on your job prospects. As you gain more experience and financial stability, you can pursue higher-level certifications.
## 3. Optimize Your Job Search Strategy
It seems like you’re already using popular job search platforms such as Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor, which is great! However, there are additional steps you can take to maximize your job search efforts:
– Network with professionals in the IT industry through social media, industry events, and online forums. Building connections and gaining referrals can open up new job opportunities and give you a competitive edge.
– Customize your job applications for each position you apply to. Generic or mass-applied resumes and cover letters are less likely to capture the attention of hiring managers. Personalize your application materials to demonstrate a genuine interest in the specific company and role.
## 4. Stay Positive and Persistent
It’s completely understandable that the job search process can be disheartening, especially when faced with financial challenges and personal hardships. However, maintaining a positive mindset and staying persistent is crucial for your success:
– Keep learning and honing your skills, whether it’s through online courses, self-study, or practical projects. The more you invest in your professional development, the more valuable you become to potential employers.
– Seek support from career counseling services, mentorship programs, or support groups in your community. Surrounding yourself with positive and motivating individuals can help you stay focused and optimistic during your job search journey.
In conclusion, landing a help desk job or any IT position requires a combination of relevant skills, certifications, a well-planned job search strategy, and a positive attitude. By actively implementing these strategies and staying resilient, you’ll increase your chances of securing a fulfilling and rewarding job in the IT industry. Keep pushing forward, and remember that your hard work will eventually pay off. You’ve got this! 🌟
I hope these tips and insights help guide you in the right direction. Wishing you the best of luck in your job search! If you have any further questions or need more personalized advice, feel free to reach out. Keep your head up, and stay determined – you’re closer to your goal than you think. 😊
For more helpful resources and career guidance, be sure to visit our website for additional tips and strategies to support your job search and professional development journey. Good luck!
> I even know python
Do you have an active GitHub account? Projects you can show off?
Post a confidential resume and we can give some feedback.
In the same boat with a bachelors. IT industry is more about the experience and less so about the education. Best advice is A. know someone who can help you get you started or B. relocate to an area that is more in need of IT workers. Best of luck.
Same boat as you. Graduated last May and found nothing. Had one conract job that ended, but now I’m back at fast food.
Have you had any interviews? It sounds like you may need to get your resume up to where it needs to be if you aren’t getting any interviews. Four years of retail, an associates degree, you’re a solid catch for an entry level position in IT.
What city?
Im live in a medium-small size town and I see (what I consider) a sizable number of jobs available. and you mentioned python. What level of helpdesk are you applying for? The jobs that only require A+ seem to always have some openings somewhere. Are you looking for an entry level software development? entry level NOC? I just wonder if you’re going after jobs that require experience.
Don’t worry bro it will take time
Only 1 interview in 6 months is an indicator that your resume likely needs to be revamped and tailored to each job you’re applying for. I also suggest creating a GitHub account or blog and adding an entry-level IT project to put on your resume (ie. Active Directory lab). Entry-level is super saturated so you need to be doing more to stand out. Having an associate’s degree and a customer service background is great, but it’s not enough in this current market.
I recommend A+ and homelabs. It looks good to employers to do stuff on your own and certifications mean almost as much as degrees in this field. At least at entry level.
Also if/when you get an interview, follow up on ANY questions you miss. If they ask something you don’t have the answer to like “what is a subnet” or “if there are streaks of ink on papers coming out of the printer, what is most likely wrong with the printer?”. You NEED to follow up. Write those questions down in a little notebook during the interview, learn the answers after the interview, and in the follow up interview, let them know that you know the answers now.
That really impressed my current managers. Best of luck man.
have you tried recruiting agency like robert half or teksystems?
for beginner level positions like help desk, interviews are extremely basic and rarely ask anything technical. most companies will have a lot of resources for you already so the job is mostly just looking up things.
many times the job is almost guaranteed when the recruiter sets up the interview
Where do you live?
Try to get some certifications it will help. Many jobs like to see a mixture of everything.
Fix the resume or think about location what jobs are abundant
Since you have an associates, have you tried applying to internships? Have you connected with any teachers at your school that may know people that are looking? Easiest way is to network.
Yea this is exactly what I’m dealing with. Starting to feel like I wasted a ton of time and money to get my degree just to get nothing out of it. I’ve been considering saving up to test for some certs but I don’t want to still not get a job and have wasted more money
I would save up for a cert. I assume you have some kind of job. It may take a while, but it would be worth it to take it. An associates with no expierance isn’t much.
Python really isn’t going to help with entry level helpdesk. They don’t need a brain, they need someone who can follow step by step instructions.
As others said post your resume(redact personal info) so people can look at it.
I would recommend make a GitHub or something to show off your python skills/other projects, but for help desk make sure not to push it too hard unless the company does something relevant to it. Most help desk positions will probs not allow you to run python scripts(entirely job dependant). Make sure it’s stated you have it, but don’t make that your primary focus. Focus on your customer service, troubleshooting capabilities, etc
And finally talk to the people you know. Recently I was struggling to make the jump to full blown help desk(I was a geeksquad repair agent for 3 years), and I was talking to a friend of a friend who worked at a local tech company. One of the managers also happened to be someone I went to highschool with. I gave them my resume, got called for an interview a few days later, and got a job offer the same day as the interview.
Reach out to friends to see if anyone knows a guy. And see where old friends work, you never know who you might find