IT Job Hunting TIPS....need EXTERNAL opinion?

Question

Well...I've thus far conducted an unsuccessful IT job hunt. Traces back to June 2006.
-4 years military(network engineering)
-AA Degree
-Multiple Certifications
Many Hands on Classes Cisco/Windows
-In the begining...I missed one crucial opening coz of greedy..
"Recruiting Company Tactics"...Nailed interview...they negotiated much lesser pay for less qualified candidate without my knowledge and that slipped..
-6-7 month break to recoup transportation and pay bills.
-Back in market 2 months now.
-My competency level is FAR above average but I can't help but feel there is some "racial/cultural" invisible wall to it..S.Calif...amongst other factors
-US born-Africa raised.
-Interviews nailed..interviewers acknowledge as much(up to 80% of the time)..they don't when you suck...
-I realize that at this time my strategies are a vicious circle that has no solution...direct company applications...resume spreading...yadi yada....
-visibly less qualified fellaz no probz hired quick..

Tons of hands on experience...countless technical solutions...troubleshooting scenarioz...muliple multi-million upgrades...real world deployments setting up networks to mirror home base functionalities...bla bla bla...
-The issue of "some civilians don't see how that is relevant" is moot...
-My proteges who I hand trained and many more who barely got by skillwise or otherwise..no degreez..no certs....no probz whatsoever...

Then the constantly irritating question:
"Then what are you doing here with those skills"...
when trying to pay bills while job hunting...

-Thanks for your opinion @Kevo but I am actually in my mid-20s.
-I have actually tried to paint a pretty good image of my managerial capabilities, since our modus operandi was by far mostly accomplished thru "delegation" on a day by day basis, and I was specific in practical examples and impact on productivity and customer satisfaction...

Answer 1

There may indeed be an invisible wall, but it might actually be Age. If you're over 40, or even 35, a lot of IT department will hardly look at you. You cost more than recent graduates - in terms of both salary and benefits (esp health insurance) - and thier skills, though lesser than yours, are percieved as more up-to-date.

With your experience, I'd actually advise to you aim higher. You should be able to point to 'leadership experience' in the military, try for a managerial or program management position in the same field, overseeing people with skills like yours, but less experience.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Brother, please dont be offended as i know you are frustrated already.

Okay, you are twenty something with all that background and yada yada yada. But what you havent sat down ten seconds to understand is NOBODY LIKES A KNOW IT ALL. It's not the skills alone - nobody will touch you because you do not come off like a team player.

I'm not pulling this out of my a--, because i was in the same place as you in my very early twenties. I was a civilian contractor for the navy at 23, writing software for managing a shipyard.

I'm 34 now, doing the same work, and building up my own business on the side. you know what? sometimes my peers struggle for answers to stuff that comes in, and i LET THEM do so without interjecting. This allows them to GROW without the hovering know-it-all, and feel like they're accomplishing something too. Sometimes I'll help, but i don't give the whole answer... not to be mean or cruel, but because i dont want to rob anybody's sense of accomplishment.

I am vastly skilled in development, networking, training, but the most valuable asset you or i can have in life is dealing with others and sometimes that means knowing when to shut up.

Read this book - 48 laws of power, robert greene.

I wish you the best - email if you like.

Answer 3

doesn't it go without saying that you should look presentable for a job interview? If you look sloppy the interviewers might think your work is going to be sloppy. As to style of dress, I think the key is to dress in a similar 'image' to that of the company itself: if it is a formal, very stuffy firm, wear a smart suit, if it is more of a groovy place, wear something more fashionable while still being smart etc etc.