No experience means no job in Information Technology?

Question

I've been looking for a job since May. I've had several interviews but the bottom line is that I have no relevant field experience. I am a victim of the catch 22. How am I supposed to get experience without a job and vice versa. I tried to get internships while in school but some needed too high a GPA. I had 3.0 they needed 3.5, etc..

I am stressed beyond measure. Can someone please give me advice.

P.S. IT major, Network Security Concentration. 3.36 cumulative GPA.

I appreciate the responses, and I will work on my interviewing skills. But the fact remains that lately....I can't even get interviews like I did in the summer. B/c even for helpdesk or other entry level jobs they require years of experience, which I, right out of college, do not have. And thats whats been getting to me.

Answer 1

First, you need to calm down. Get some exercise, see a movie, whatever. Though finding a job can be stressful, there are a thousand other things in life that are more stressful. Be vigilant and look, but try to chill.

And I don't believe it is absolutely that you have no experience. I assume you have a resume that shows what experience you do have, and they still have invited you in for interviews. But you have no offers. Why?

It's just a guess, but you may need to work up your interviewing skills. There are tons of web sites that can help you. I'm not affiliated with Yahoo, but right here on Yahoo Hotjobs there are a lot of articles on how to interview - how to present yourself, how to act, your appearance, your follow ups, etc. Maybe you just don't have that part down. Again, people like you enough to ask you to interview, so there's potential.

The "soft" things people like are:

- Neat appearance
- Seems organized in the interview
- Pleasant to talk to
- Good interpersonal skills
- Can explain their strengths and weaknesses well
- Not too arrogant, but yet shows confidence

So I don't know you, but my advice would be to work on these skills. And again, don't stress too much. You will get a job, it's just a matter of time.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

If you are getting interviews, then your resume and experience (on paper at least) must be OK. Most HR/hiring managers don't have time to interview for the sake of doing it.

I would guess you are shooting yourself in the foot at the interview. My list of do's and don't's is way too expansive to list here, but do yourself a favor and go to job hunting sites and read everything you can on interview techniques.

Most new grads screw up the interview with one, or two questions. Send me an email and tell me how you answer the following questions:

Where do you see yourself if 5/10 years?

What is your greatest strength?

What is your biggest weakness?

And if you bother, tell me what you are wearing to the interview.

As to your present dilemma, you need to do 2 things to up your value in the corporate world.

1. Go to a few local charities/churches and volunteer your IT knowledge (yes, for free). Nearly all of these organizations are dying for help, and yours would be gladly welcomed. Then you have a legitimate experience to list on your resume.

2. Take a job, any job. Even if it is part time retail. Your value as a potential employee goes up dramatically the second you are employed. Seems counter productive but is the truth.

Good luck

Answer 4

There is a ladder that you have to climb to get to various stages along the career path.

Unfortunately, you can't make mighty leaps across 12 or 15 rungs of the ladder ... you have to work your way up step by step. Some climb fast, some climb slow, some get frozen on one rung, and some fall off.

IT (the department, not the career field) will notice you at your entry-level job eventually, and will give you a shot. Until then, it's cubicle city, answering insane phone calls and meeting unrealistic goals.

Might as well make it at a place you WANT to work. Take a look at the 500 best run companies, the 50 best places to work, the 100 best places to live, etc.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I work for a very large world wide IT company. On the site where I work we frequently have projects that require additional manpower. We usually turn to temp employment agencies for the additional help. When we do hire it’s usually someone we have had experience with from one of the temp agencies. The point is check out temp agencies like Manpower, Volt and the like. It can provide some experience for you and give you a foot in the door if a position develops. I think many people trying to break into this field have high expectations everyone thinks a few classes or a couple of certifications can make them a systems analyst, software developer or network administrator this might be the case in very small companies but not for most of them. If you have finished your BS go for security certs like CCSP, SSCP or CISSP-ISSAP. Typical entry level positions for people without advanced degrees include hardware and software break/fix and installing computers and help desk tech. My advice is to try the temp agencies to gain some experience and keep working on your education.
Good Luck