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andrew027
1286 posts

Uber Geek


  #1311809 26-May-2015 09:12
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Why would you consider a Spark helpdesk job, unless you want to move to the Philippines? But seriously... getting a job on the phones might be a foot in the door but, as others have said, "IT" is a pretty broad field and not a very specific goal. Do you want to manage PCs, build networks, write code, design infrastructure... A help desk role might be a better first step for some of those roles than others, e.g. it is less likely to lead to application development. What aspects of IT are you interested in? 

Some years go I ran call centre training for one of the big banks and part of the job was participating on the recruitment panel as new hires would effectively be in the training department for their first month. Experience in banking wasn't necessary but we did prefer some sort of degree or career history that showed people had some sort of stability, perseverance, etc. When online banking, mobile banking, apps, 2FA, etc. started becoming more common, some of our guys showed a real technical bent for helping customers with that aspect so we helped them get a sideways move to an internal technical helpdesk and, once there, the bank paid for them to get ITIL qualifications, Microsoft certification, etc.

I'm guessing that you'd probably want to skip answering calls from disgruntled bank customers and go straight to the helpdesk though. If I was hiring you off the street for that job I'd prefer to see some level of experience or relevant qualification but, if you didn't have that, I'd still consider someone who could impress me, e.g. you have degrees with honours so you're obviously not stupid and have shown you can stick with something long enough and work at it hard enough to get great grades. Can you convince me in the interview that you'd work that hard for me? We used to say: Hire the attitude, develop the skills.



Ronsoak

202 posts

Master Geek


  #1311848 26-May-2015 10:13

A lot of super helpful insights guys (and gals, maybe. not sure) I really really appreciate it. 

So yes my current role is half admin, half database support, I am the databses Superuser so I provide support, do custom SQL searches etc. I also do HTML/css editing for our front facing website, custom SQL searches and provide website support for a third party site we manage so yes Im already doing entry level IT so im not 100% convinced a call centre role will add to my skill set but my job sucks and I want out but I have applied to about 30 IT jobs and not even got an interview. A friend of mine thinks the low end of IT is over saturated or maybe im not that good at writing IT cover letters.

In regards of what I want to do, that's hard and I guess from the sound of what you have been saying I need to sort that out asap. I know I like building PCs, I love hardware. I also like websites, doing a bit of designs, setting up the code and that stuff. But thats all pretty basic, Im struggling to do complex websites and am trying to teach myself Javascript (codeacademy) but its not 'clicking' like HTML/CSS did so the harder languages are beyond me.

Its sort of getting to that point where the constant rejection has made me disinterested in working in IT but the reality is I work on a PC for 7-8 hours at work, then go straight home and spend another 6-7 hours on my PC doing all sorts of projects and like you guys I want that to be my job.

Thanks for listening

scottr
262 posts

Ultimate Geek

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  #1314727 30-May-2015 17:27
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I wouldn't rip on a start in the call centre. I've seen call centre staff move into BA, software development, commercial IT training, system admin and network engineer roles. It's because they were keen, wanted a chance, took the opportunity and put in the yards to get it.

everyone's gotta start somewhere.



Salami
237 posts

Master Geek


  #1314913 31-May-2015 00:20
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I actually started my career with an ISP even though I wanted to work for IT service desk. I worked as a provisoning specialist for TCL and VF.

I enjoyed my time with Telstraclear. If it wasn't for VF take over ( which was stressful, slow and just horrible environment) and the fact there was no other job opportunities I decided to leave.

I wouldn't say working for an ISP wouldn't land you an IT job but it can be difficult.

My background of provisioning certainly doesn't relate to my new job but my previous manager has given me other work experiences.

I would keep your mind open . After 4 years of working for TCL and another year of VF I started searching for other roles outside the company. 

I remember my new manager asking me some common sense questions during the interview before he chose me .lol
My background in a call centre type environment with chorus, ISPS and customers did actually help me gain this job.

I certainly don't believe that just because you have worked for XXX you can't do YYY.





swine
40 posts

Geek


  #1323890 13-Jun-2015 10:42
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Dynamic: IMHO a call centre job for a Telco or ISP is not going to kick start your IT career, or at least I have never heard of this happening.  It may lead to some interesting positions within the company if your effort is recognised.  If you currently work for a large organisation, perhaps talk to the head of the team that you would like to work for.  It's generally easier to move sideways in an existing organisation than into a new position.

If you really serious, get your face in front of people.  Find half a dozen or more companies near you who do what you want to do and get in front of the person who does the hiring.  Tell them you want the next position that opens up and ask them what skills they want so you can work on these.  Their socks will be rocked off, but you are still forgettable at that stage.  Be politely persistent.  Keep contact every 4-6 weeks, alternating an email (so they can find your contact details easily) and a phone call or a personal visit.  If a qualification is required, get 2 people to tell you that they will hire you if a position opens up after you have achieved that qualification (or started part time study) and then go for it.

The second to last guy I hired rocked in unannounced to deliver his CV personally after seeing my TradeMe ad.  (There was something different about him that I think made him suspect he would be cut out in the first round of CV checks if he just emailed.)  I was having a crappy day and was ready for a walk.  We walked around the block and I offered a him a job within days.

The last guy I hired was someone I met buying/selling through Geekzone.  We had a quick chat and he advised he was looking for a career change.  I didn't have anything then but he stuck in my mind because he had asked and because he had expressed interest in what we did.  Some time later a position opened up and he was the first person I called.

Good luck.

 

It worked for me..started off doing level 1 helpdesk at Ihug, eventually moved into NOC and have been a network engineer for the last 15 or so years.

 

 

 

I think Helpdesk is the best way to get into IT. It familiarises you with the realities of customer expectations it gives you a solid grounding in troubleshooting and it exposes you to technology which you can then upskill in.

 

In IT - You are only as valuable as your last job. Qualification are worth nothing without experience. I personally have no qualifications, not even CCNA. It hasnt stopped me though.

andrewNZ
2487 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #1323893 13-Jun-2015 10:56
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scottr: I wouldn't rip on a start in the call centre. I've seen call centre staff move into BA, software development, commercial IT training, system admin and network engineer roles. It's because they were keen, wanted a chance, took the opportunity and put in the yards to get it.

everyone's gotta start somewhere.

I agree. My brother started on a help desk for an ISP. Fast forward 10 years or so, now he's in Canada working for Amazon.

An ISP job will get you in the door so you can start building basic skills and contacts. The rest is up to you, no one will hand your carrier to you, you have to go get it.

Ronsoak

202 posts

Master Geek


  #1323916 13-Jun-2015 11:27

SUPER UPDATE

I have a new job. It's as an information management advisor. So I'm quite stoked with that and excited with what that will bring me.

 
 
 

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surfisup1000
5288 posts

Uber Geek


  #1323924 13-Jun-2015 11:43
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Ronsoak: SUPER UPDATE

I have a new job. It's as an information management advisor. So I'm quite stoked with that and excited with what that will bring me.


Congrats. What does that involve?

Ronsoak

202 posts

Master Geek


  #1323966 13-Jun-2015 12:31

surfisup1000:
Ronsoak: SUPER UPDATE

I have a new job. It's as an information management advisor. So I'm quite stoked with that and excited with what that will bring me.


Congrats. What does that involve?


its advising on how information is stored, how  it should be stored etc.  I used to work for this company previously so im familiar with their software

swine
40 posts

Geek


  #1324663 14-Jun-2015 23:13
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Ronsoak:
surfisup1000:
Ronsoak: SUPER UPDATE

I have a new job. It's as an information management advisor. So I'm quite stoked with that and excited with what that will bring me.


Congrats. What does that involve?


its advising on how information is stored, how  it should be stored etc.  I used to work for this company previously so im familiar with their software
That sounds like an awesome job nice work. Usually big enterprises get companies like EY to audit stuff like this... if you added an accounting qualification to your CV it could set you up really well. Or study the Public Records Act.

Ronsoak

202 posts

Master Geek


  #1324749 15-Jun-2015 09:32

Thanks heaps

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