Entering the Hardware support industry

[BigBullBully]

This might be the wrong place to ask but I need some job advice.

I recently quit my technician job (industrial machines using PC's to run) to study CompTIA A+ 2009 objectives, I plan to write at the end of May and would like to know from any people in the industry what I should expect as far as the job market goes.

Most IT employers expect some experience so how can I get some, if they only hire experienced people?

Any help is much appreciated

 

[repitah]

Well, firstly, consider that there is a lot of people with an A+. Unfortunately, not too many are actually good (or can retain/apply the knowledge). So you will have a lot of competition from beginners and mediocre mid-level guys who are entering the field now or were retrenched last year.

Depending on your target field(s), additional courses like N+ may be beneficial.

In terms of selling yourself, promote the fact that you worked on industrial machines (generally a specialist area - an advantage) and try make similarities.

A recruitment agency can be beneficial to finding positions, but please be as honest as possible with them, or risk an over-inflated CV/proposal which is embarrassing to explain when it comes to the interviews and frustrating for the employer. Also shop around for agencies if you decide to use them. Not all agencies are equal and some will hardly have your (and/or the employers) interest at heart.

In terms of experience, that will be a tough one. Generally speaking, to start getting experience, most people will be starting at the lower end of the market. If you're a strong worker, you may rise through ranks quickly. Most employers want experience as it takes usually a lot of time and effort (=money) to get an employee up to a level desired. This can also be attributed to people going for the IT profession because they think they'll be rich, but actually have little/no passion or drive for it.

Don't give up hope. Somewhere there is a job for you.

 

[urgranny]

This might be the wrong place to ask but I need some job advice.

I recently quit my technician job (industrial machines using PC's to run) to study CompTIA A+ 2009 objectives, I plan to write at the end of May and would like to know from any people in the industry what I should expect as far as the job market goes.

Most IT employers expect some experience so how can I get some, if they only hire experienced people?

Any help is much appreciated

If you can afford to,I would suggest that you study for as long as you can. At least till July or later. The economy is still on a slow recovery, and jobs (paricularly entry-level i.e. with no experience) in the IT sector are still scarce.