Have i hit the ceiling in my earning potential?

Question

Im am 34 and an IT Manager in the UK for a medium sized law firm.The law firm is based in Kent 40 miles outside London.I have been in the job for 8 years and am successful. However im finding it impossible to move up to my next job. I have had interviews for the position of IT manager with a couple of US lawfirms with London offices and have got to second interview but no further. The reason cited for my not getting any further is usually that i haven't worked in the London arena before.This is v frustrating as i know i could do the job standing on my head. Another possible problem is that i dont have a degree although i do have a few MCP (microsoft certified professional) qualifications to my name and 8 years on the job. I run a team of four in my current role and I work out the IT strategy for the year and run all the systems - build all the servers and pc's and basically am the systems guru.I just wish i could be given a chance.I find recruitment consultants promise the earth....

Answer 1

I can't give any more advice really other than keep trying! Press your recrutment consultant for proper feedback asto why you've been unsuccessful. They can be very vauge and unhelpful when it comes to communicating with candidates when they know they're not going to earn any commision. You can even drop an email to your interveiwer (providing your consultant has been usless) asking for feedback.

Post your CV on jobsites such as Jobsite, Reed, Monster and Totaljobs, be selective about the interveiws you take and put together presentations of short, medium and long term objectives.

Brush up on the companies that you are seeing and build a good rapport with all members of the interviewing panel.

Ask pertinent and probing questions like "What do you look for in an ideal candidate?" and leave the interview on a positive note reaffirming your interest in the position.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would guess it has more to do with not having a degree then with not working in London before. You are dealing with Lawyers that are all highly educated and proabably value education greatly. The market is getting better, but in the last few years there has been more applicants then jobs. So people without degrees are at a huge disadvantage

Answer 3

In IT, experience is everything, and you have it in spades. Your MCP is worthless in comparison.

The way you've worded your question, it sounds like you've only had a few interviews. Relax! IT management is competitive, especially in London, and it might take many interviews before you get lucky. I choose my words advisedly: luck is a big factor in all this, especially when one job can attract many tens of candidates.

Ignore what you've been told about having no experience in the "London arena". If they really cared about that, you wouldn't even have been called in for interview.

Answer 4

If u r comfortable working at computer...