Please help! My boyfriend has worked in IT for the last eight years (he's an Analyst Programmer). He got the job originally as an office junior on leaving school, worked his way up and is well respected by his employer. He wants to move jobs and, perhaps unwisely but it's a bit late now, handed in his notice.
The problem is, he has no useful contacts in the industry and doesn't know how "other people" go about finding work. He isn't getting calls from the agencies and he thinks it is because he is not a graduate and has no IT qualifications on paper.
I really want to help but I don't know how! I'm trying to come up with different suggestions about where he could look or what he could try, but I've run out of ideas. He only has four more weeks before he's out of work.
Where should he look (on or off the internet)? Where do people in IT get their jobs from? Who are the big employers? Do they all want graduates? Or should he just keep plugging away at the agencies and be patient?
2007-02-04 08:00:29 · 6 answers · asked by Snakey B 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Programming & Design
Oh, I forgot to say - we're in London, England. Thanks!
2007-02-04 08:05:12 · update #1
I would think that 8 years experience should outweigh the need for any formal qualification. His best bet is to search the online agency sites (someone suggested Monster) for jobs relating to his specific programming language skillset. Most employers will not employ you if you do not have the specific languages/platforms that they require. So if he is experinced in something obscure then he will find it harder to get another job.
Another good place to look are the IT papers, such as Computing. There are no big employers as such, it really depends on where you live. In London there should be no shortage of employers. Several of the big financial corporations have in-house IT departments, it may be worth targeting them. He also needs to keep pestering the agencies, don't expect them to keep trying if he doesn't call them once a week to remind them he exists and is still looking.
2007-02-04 11:58:29 · answer #1 · answered by dracoiratus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been in the field for 2 yrs. I say get out and put in the apps but most employers will not take experience into consideration if you have no degree at all.I work at a college and they will toss your app if you do not possess at least a 2 yr degree. I honestly feel it will prove difficult if he's not actually talking to someone where ever he is applying.I feel 8 yrs experience would get him somewhere it just may take sometime and in the mean time i suggest getting a degree to accompany that experience.
2007-02-04 08:07:14 · answer #2 · answered by Geek Girl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all I would like to smack the guy who wrote thicko, he is obviously very talented in being a prick.
Secondly you don't always need qualifications, I have been working in IT for over 10 years. I have done hundreds of Microsoft courses but never got around to doing the exams. Make sure he gets a good reference and writes a good CV, highlighting all the things he has done. Monster is a good IT job site. Good Luck!!
2007-02-04 08:12:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Experience still counts, have a look at www.jobserve.com there are plenty of jobs out there. Also make sure the CV is up to scratch, as an IT professional it should be polished.
2007-02-04 08:05:49 · answer #4 · answered by John S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most companies are going to look for the diploma to prove that you have the training...
AFTER the diploma they look at your work experience...
Your boyfriend should go to school and get the diploma.
2007-02-04 08:09:44 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Tom♥ 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No qualification, ha, Thicko
Im a Grad and had no problem getting a job,
2007-02-04 08:04:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋