Hello to Everyone,

I have had my A+ Cert for awhile now but cannot get my foot in the door. I applied to Best Buy three times and Staples once but never got a response. I'm facing a dilemma. Although I have a certification and am quite knowledgeable about computers, there are still some areas that I don't have any experience in, such as networking. I also want to become a better troubleshooter but that can't be accomplished fixing a family's or friend's computer every now and then. And besides, that is not going to count for actual job esperience. Businesses always want you to have experience, but you can't get it without someone giving you a chance. It seems that no one wants to take the time to teach you, and entry-level jobs are not always available. Sometimes I get extremely frustrated. How can I get my foot in the door with limited experience

Well you could just start fixing people in your community's computers, it doesn't really have to be a business, but just something else to add for experience.

Hi Nate,

But does fixing other people's computers count as job experience? Or did you mean fixing them and charging people for it rather than looking for a job?

I mean like, fix some people in your community's computers, then I believe on your applications you could put, " I fixed computers in the "City" area "

Actually it can be hard to get your foot in the door especially with the economy the way it is now. What you have is a situation where people 3-5 times more qualified with tons of experience having lost their own jobs are "dipping down" into lower paying jobs - those entry level IT jobs you're looking for. What you have to do is think outside the box and learn that it really isn't about the IT certs you have, but who you know, who you can network with. You'll have to do some social interaction-engineering for a job. Develop contacts, develop new friendships with other IT folks, anyone you can find that's in any sort of IT position or who knows someone in the IT field. I keep a book full of names for people who work in IT in the banking, hospital, and other various businesses that support IT that I have met over the years.

one of the best things you can do is start doing freelance jobs on your own, establish and register your business name (creating a legit business) and do some networking with other small businesses. Even when your business is slow you will be able to (honestly) use this on your resume as job experience. By networking with small business owners and doing some work for them you can use them as professional references. Doing this is kind of like creating your own paid internship. Who know if all goes well maybe you will stay self employed. In this economy the best thing to do is not to lay down and die but think smarter and not let it beat you. Another good way to get some experience is from franchise owners in your area such as fasttek. These people hire freelancers and have them put when they are available on web calendars. When they have a client in your area they will dispatch for perform the computer service need.

Originally Posted by ilovecomputers

Hello to Everyone,

I have had my A+ Cert for awhile now but cannot get my foot in the door. I applied to Best Buy three times and Staples once but never got a response. I'm facing a dilemma. Although I have a certification and am quite knowledgeable about computers, there are still some areas that I don't have any experience in, such as networking. I also want to become a better troubleshooter but that can't be accomplished fixing a family's or friend's computer every now and then. And besides, that is not going to count for actual job experiences. Businesses always want you to have experience, but you can't get it without someone giving you a chance. It seems that no one wants to take the time to teach you, and entry-level jobs are not always available. Sometimes I get extremely frustrated. How can I get my foot in the door with limited experience

As far as gaining experience, I would look into doing some volunteer work at places like community centers, boys clubs, elementary schools, etc. Charity like that shows a potential employer that you have dedication and a desire to do that kind of work.

One thing I've done to gain some networking skills was set up a home network in both a server environment as well as a peer. Just getting the thing to work taught me a little about protocols, cables, routers, etc.

Just some thoughts...

last yr for only 3 mo I was able to gain little work experience performing data migration from legacy PC & a bit of troubleshooting.

but for the past 4 yrs using my desktop PC w/ Win XP Pro - which I saved & bought
I was able to wipe (zeroed out) & reload OS
able to restore & re-establish Internet connection after reload OS
able to install secondary internal SATA HDD & backup data (drag & drop method)
able to banish all hackers by disabling certain unwanted services, delete share, disable remote, edit certain registries, & close certain ports
able to upgrade video card & re-configure video display
found ways of catching & deleting viruses by using certain antivirus/antispyware/antimalware combo (minimum using 2-3)
used BlueScreenView, Unlocker assistant
able to delete files that uses permissions
able to install drivers
able to install/remove applications
used CCleaner & disk defrag & update OS & update antivirus/antispyware/antimalware

Up to now I tried replying ads online - no responses

I do not know anyone in my neighborhood.
people in my church are mostly elderly

I tried to get intern
but all would say you have to be a full time student
how in the heck one is supposed to work & study?
prof/instructor dont care - as long as they got paid
besides why study for something that already has been answered & had been built say 10-20 yrs ago?

up to now I do NOT have any unemployment benefits

in this tough economics times, its hard to find any part-time work

how do I convince any IT/PC company to volunteer to gain more hands-on work experience?
how do I professionally mention volunteering through cover letter, e-mail, social networking?
how do I professionally mention I am looking for work to gain hands on work experience in social networking on & offline?

I do NOT want to work in a hazardous workplace & I do NOT want to be disabled at such a young age!

Help me, Neo. You're my only hope. (repeating)

Best bet to gain experience that companies would take seriously is one of these charities that recondition computers to send out to africa.

is there an official complete list of charities in USA that recondition any PCs and sent them to Africa?