Overwhelmed trying to get into I.T.

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Hello everyone in the ITPro family,
I am having an issue trying to break into IT. I currently hold my CompTia A+, Network +, and Cisco CCNA in (Routing and Switching) Certifications. I do not have any on the job experience in IT. I live in Indianapolis Indiana and current work as a Police Dispatcher, with 10+ years public safety experience. I do have a LinkedIn. Every time I apply for any IT jobs such as help desk or any higher level I get a thanks for applying email. I am starting to become discouraged with the potential to do a career transition. Is this a normal feeling, if so how did you overcome or plan to overcome it? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bryon

Hello,

I am in no position to give any advice since i am changing career as well and i haven't started applying to any job yet.
however the thing i m sure of is that, in IT especially, the hardest job to get is the first job.
most of the job postings we see, require a certain amount of experience even for an entry level position, which is frustrating everybody, not just you.
add to that the fact that for an entry level job, you have A LOT of applicants, some of them will have that small experience. so it's not going to be that easy to break in.
On the other side, starting as a developer role is a bit easier since you will have a portfolio to show, they will get to see your level and assess properly whether you suit their needs or not, which is not the case in other IT fields such as networking, sys admin, security, etc...

my only advice is to keep trying, at some point it WILL work and someone will give you this opportunity, however i recommend that you pursue more certifications since you will need a bit more than the usual entry level cert to stand out and catch their interest especially with no experience.

for example, having your CCNA, you can go after your CCNP, that's a plus you will have.
try looking for internships or maybe work at some place for free for few months just to get the experience and put it on your CV.

I just shared with you my plan, hope it will help in any way and good luck.
some patience is needed.
This field is painful sometimes, but very rewarding in the same time!

Hey @Bryon-Blackburn

First, thanks for your service!

Second, don't give up. It can be very frustrating and slow going, but it will happen! But only if you don't give up!

It's the catch 22, need the experience to get the job, need the job to get the experience. A couple of things that can help with that.

1. Network. Not CompTIA Network+, but people networking. Look for study groups, tech groups, conferences, etc, in your area. Meet people in the field. Meny times these people are the ones hiring or can recommend you.
2. Volunteer. Look for places that need help. Maybe installing new systems, data entry, or internships. These kinds of activities look great on a resume. One way to find opportunities like these is through step 1, networking.
3. Look at your resume and see if you can make it more appealing. Think about things you've accomplished, even if it's not tech related.Did you lead a project at work? Help train a new person? Being in dispatch, I would think communications is a big part of that. Highlight that on your resume. Communication skills are very important at the help desk.

If I was a hiring manager, someone with your skills would be very appealing, you just need to make sure they see that.

@EA89 has some good advice, and hopefully more will chime in. Let me know if I can answer any more questions and good luck!!

Hi @Bryon-Blackburn

My 1st thought has to be a big congratulations on achieving your technical certs!

I'd like to discuss your self-promotion, and then secondly your skills.

So Let's focus for a minute on your CV / resume and your social media as these are both vehicles for self-promotion. There's an undercurrent throughout both - communication. As Mike has mentioned in both social media and also your resume, you will need to communicate and demonstrate who you are and what you can do. Take a look at your resume and your social media accounts and ask yourself "is this a good advertisement for me?" Do they show evidential skills?

Also build your social media network. Linkedin and twitter are great social media platforms for IT professionals. Start to post something meaningful at least once a week, and keep up the cadence. Your network will grow, but be careful with the cadence - set one you can keep because as soon as you stop posting your followers will tail off. Maybe start by answering some of Ronnie Wong's weekly networking questions on twitter, or replying to some of our posts on linkedin.

When wording a resume or social media page include achievements that can be proven and that demonstrate the skills required in the job advert. Research the company that you're applying to and tailor your CV and cover letter to the role. If the organisation's web page shows a dedication to Green IT or sustainability, ensure that your CV and social media profiles contains mention of a project you've worked on (can be voluntary) that shows you share a passion for sustainability. There's a lot of overhead in tailoring your CV each time, but it is worth it.

Just to re-iterate Mike's comment about volunteering; you don't have you limit your CV to just work experience.

Secondly think of your skills. You mention that you're a police dispatcher - that makes you an ideal candidate for a helpdesk role; a role that is often seen as a entry level role into the IT sphere. Make sure the skills that you've learnt as a dispatcher such as ability to work under pressure, strong communication skills, etc are highlighted on your CV.

All Helpdesk analysts now require ITIL certification, so take a look at the ITIL 4 Foundation course too.

I don't know if you caught the recent webinar on Helpdesk skills, CompTIA went on to create a blog out of it: https://app.itpro.tv/course-library/10-qualitiesa-help-desk-pro/10-qualitiesa-help-desk-pro/?tagcategory=course-library&tag=it-webinars

Hopefully I've given you a few places to start, but I'd be happy to answer any further questions, or even take a look at your CV if you'd like.

Good luck in your endeavours!
Jo

Hello,
I know little about the US IT job market either and like EA89 I am changing my career as well.

I get a lot of help through the local Community College. The career service is free (at least in Austin) and they are awesome. They will help you create a matching resume, cover letter and much more.

The Career advisors are very knowledgeable people, they know the local market and will tell more about your situation. At least you can try it.
Your local Community College should have an own job market.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I think it is very easy to get discouraged when you put in a lot of effort and do not feel like you are moving forward. Getting input from those who are in the line of work is invaluable to me.