Experience too limited?

I live in Kerry and want to move to Dublin. At the moment I'm working doing the following: (I don't understand job titles)

Repairing PCs (hardware or software issues)
Installing and configuring wired and wireless networks, for either file and printer sharing or Internet routing

The thing is, I want to get another position up in Dublin which involves any or all of these. But looking on job websites it makes me think my experience is too limited (people looking for experience in SQL Server/Oracle/Cisco for example). Everyone here seems to think I'm a genius, but it doesn't look that way.

Could anyone advise me on what to do or what to look for? At the moment I've got the CompTIA A+ certification but it doesn't seem to be any use to me.

damnyanks

Just look for general tech support roles. Try the likes of HP

Villain

HP outsource to companies like I.T. Alliance, CPL and Reed and while the experience can be ok to good the money normally isn't, what kind of Salary are you hoping for?

spooydermot

well I don't think anyone can look down on the A+, I'd love to take the time to do one myself - I'm not hardware but would like to get more network/hardware experience, at the moment I'm more SQL and programming.

What I did was: I worked in a company for a while doing phone work (this was a couple of years ago when it was very hard to get IT work straight out of college) , then when they were implementing a new system I did some data migration and some software testing for them and finally got a position doing SQL work and a bit of programming for them.

What I'm saying (in such a long winded way) is that if you get into the right place you can show them your skills and work your way up - it's probably not the perfect way but I know a few other people who have taken the same route.

irish1

irish1 wrote:

HP outsource to companies like I.T. Alliance, CPL and Reed and while the experience can be ok to good the money normally isn't, what kind of Salary are you hoping for?

Well at the moment I'm only on €12,960 (€1,080 x 12) so I'd say anything's better than what I have now. What would the going rate be?

Villain

For a Level 1 tech with a HP outsorced company - around 20k - 22k, you might need to do some call center work for 6 months to a year to get some experience.

damnyanks

HP Take on a load of students so I'm sure they'll jump for someone with exp.

Just remember cost of living in Dublin is probably a lot more then what you are paying in Kerry.

damnyanks

damnyanks wrote:

HP Take on a load of students so I'm sure they'll jump for someone with exp.

Just remember cost of living in Dublin is probably a lot more then what you are paying in Kerry.

Well I live with my parents here so have no previous experience of costs of living! :eek: I'm originally from Dublin but feel its time to go back, not having the best of times here.

Standard Toaster

Where are HP based lads?

Villain

The_Edge wrote:

Where are HP based lads?

Well HP's own site is in Liexlip, but they have outsourcing contracts all over, like MBNA, Bank Of Ireland, Intel, Vodafone and Heineken

kippy

I would recommend looking around on the jobs sites for "Helpdesk" or technical support roles. Also worth searching on irish jobs/recruitireland for jobs with "A+" in the description-you would be surprised how many are looking for it.

The fact that you have experience in the hardware/software troubleshooting already is a massive extra-to be honest HP first line isnt the best of career moves for someone with your experience (Even though this does not seem like much experience-it is better than nothing) The job in there can be very boring after a while-you will learn some stuff but you have limited exposure to the actual hardware/software. All that you tend to do is re route calls to a different team......Career progression can be limited. They do take on a lot of people straight out of college-mainly because they cannot get another job because of their lack of experience.

It would be better worth your time to try getting an onsite helpdesk/tech support role for a company you actually work for(not outsourced) generally salary is better, benefits are better and probably more importantly career progression and training are generally better as well.
Thanks only my experience-and if you cant afford to be patient then I am pretty sure you would walk into the HP call center.

Also I cant believe you are on so little money in your current job-you are getting done there mate-if they appreciate you as much as you say they do then they will probably hit you with a big raise if you tell them you are leaving........

Kippy

kippy

The site that HP have all of their outsourced helpdesks at is in Clonskeagh-about 10 minutes south of Ranelagh.

Standard Toaster

Balls.

Villain

The_Edge wrote:

Balls.

What were you hoping to hear The Edge??

[Jackass]

Do up a CV and post it here (without your personal details) and the specific type of roles you will be applying for with it and people here will tell you good ways to re-phrase things and sell yourself much better - imo everyones CV can be vastly improved with a bit of input - plus it will help you get a much better payed job.

Also, if you're moving to Dublin, you might wanna save a bit of cash ... rent averages around €400 p/m in a house share and food/travel etc. is even more...

DubGuy

DubGuy wrote:

Do up a CV and post it here (without your personal details) and the specific type of roles you will be applying for with it and people here will tell you good ways to re-phrase things and sell yourself much better - imo everyones CV can be vastly improved with a bit of input - plus it will help you get a much better payed job.

Also, if you're moving to Dublin, you might wanna save a bit of cash ... rent averages around €400 p/m in a house share and food/travel etc. is even more...

What should I omit to avoid being banned? lol. Obviously name, address, date of birth etc, but what else?

I've got savings of €3,500 at the moment so I hope that'll be enough.

the_syco

irish1 wrote:

Well HP's own site is in Liexlip, but they have outsourcing contracts all over, like MBNA, Bank Of Ireland, Intel, Vodafone and Heineken

But the helpdesk stuff is based in Clonskeagh.

Also, as DubGuy said, but multiply it by 2, as most places want a months rent, and the same amount as a deposit, before you even move in.

Them there's bills, transport costs, etc.

Villain

Well TBH you don't need much experience to get a Level one role on a HP team but the salary is very low, a maximum of 22k.

Karsini I've sent you a PM also.