Finding ways to get experience can be a HUGE help. I changed careers six
months ago (from 'traditional' engineering). Prior to taking the leap, I
got my MCSE and had started towards my CCNA. I feel that the certs helped
me get interviews. However, I NEVER claimed to be an expert in anything - I
just stated my belief that having the cert means that I have a certain
minimum level of knowledge.
I recieved job offers because I had found experience on a volunteer basis.
I set up a network for my church and for a local community center. I also
performed other non-networking tasks for non-profits so I could have a more
rounded IT resume (i.e., I set up an Access database for a local parks
conservatory group to track their donors).
I also found that the best way to get job offers is through word-of-mouth.
Newspapers and job boards only produce jobs that would put me at a salary I
was making ten years ago. I did take a pay cut from my old salary, but I
found a job in a small investment firm where I will not have to spend six
months just doing user accounts or some other drudgery.
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: MY 1ST JOB OFFER
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 18:48:26 EDT
In a message dated 8/15/00 6:34:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
<< I mean imagine if you have your CCNA and no experience it is just like
having no CCNA at all. My response was appreciate the offer ,but I
wouldn't take 15 to 20k less than the person sitting next to me with 1
year experience and their CCNA...ANY THOUGHTS????
>>
My thoughts are that you were wrong. You said that having your CCNA and
no experience is just like having no CCNA at all. Well if you didn't have
the
CCNA then you wouldn't have gotten the call at all. If there was a person
without a CCNA but had a years worth of experience, he would probably know
more than a person who just got their CCNA without experience, actually I'm
sure of this. Your situation is like this: If you've been looking for a
position for more than a month now...you made a huge mistake. Remember,
money
can come later...build your experience for now. Good luck and don't be
greedy,
Mark Zabludovsky ~ CCNA, CCDA
UNISYS
e-@ction Remote Network Management Services
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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