Employment

[MartinH]

The modern world is moving with computers and the need for AI, I want to get into CAD work and solidworks but im happy with Carpentry at the mo . But id say theres a need for IT workers.

[Jamin_00]

I would have thought there is always computer repair work about.

IT must surely be one of the better bets

[Matt_W]

I would have thought there is always computer repair work about.

IT must surely be one of the better bets

thats what i was thinking
I'm a chippy/Milty skilled and my knees cant take it and i fancy a change

[Jamin_00]

fancy doin my loft convo for me

[ddracer]

Matt,

It really is horses for courses. There are lots of really good IT people about so you do have to work hard at building up a rep. I'm a tool maker originally I did my apprenticeship at a company behind where Kwikkwak works. When the bottom feel out the engineering market I went to uni and did a degree. But I'm constantly on corses to keep up with what my customers want.

Is it worth it? Yes I love it especially now I work for myself but I have been doing it for 15 years. IT is one big catch 22 experience is the key but you need a job to get it. I spent my first 3 years on a help desk before I even touched a customers computer. So if you can cope with S**t pay and A******s on the phone in the early days then go for it.

[ROCKET RONNIE]

need your electrics done for that loft Ben??????????????????????????

[anth.payne]

Hi ddracer I'm thinking of a change of Carrier. I'm think of going in to computer repair or programing. as you are in the business would you recommend it or do you do it because it's all you know? and is there IT work around in your opinion

There are plenty of IT jobs around, but like in alot of sector's, there is also fair competition.

I work full time, and operate on a freelance basis (almost by mistake in some respects). I feel I have been successful because I enjoy what I do, and I am quite enthusiastic about the work I do.

If you wanted to get into IT, then I'd start with developing some of your troubleshooting skills, and start considering the MCITP System Administrator books, and CompTIA A+. I would advise staying away from the crash courses, as in my opinion it is a waste of money, and you develop no real life skills. Work from the books, and when you feel confident look at doing the exam.

When on the hunt for jobs, alot of recruitment agencies will do a batch filter on applications/CVs and just dump any without keywords like MCSA/MCITP. There are methods of getting round this like 'Working towards...'

I started by doing tech support for BT in a call centre, although sounds dull, gave me a sound grasp on developing troubleshooting skills in general, and become familiar with desktops.

[Adrian]

That's often the case, not what you know but who you know

Never a truer word spoken,ive been slack for the last 2 weeks only been like this once before late 80s before all that kicked in!

Been contacting different companys ect, now a friend of a friend knows the md of a well known firm thats europe based and bingo have a meeting with them next week,not bad for a firm that wasent taking contractors on!

[tourerjim]

No Hope Really is there?

Been looking for a while and there is bob all

callum, As one door closes another one opens" Chap I know was out of work 18 months but just to get out of the house took on a coach cleaning job money was peanuts but stuck with it though, week ago got a job Coach driving for same company.
I know it doesn't help you much at this moment in time but something will turn up.

[Jamin_00]

need your electrics done for that loft Ben??????????????????????????

Not to hijack the thread but yes will do

[Matt_W]

Not to hijack the thread but yes will do

i forgot you said about that befor. i was round you way today was going to call round we will have a chat when you are free

[Gate88]

I've got a mate who was made redundant last year, while he wasnt working he decided to do some work round the house to keep himself busy, one of the jobs he wanted to do was clean up his block paving drive so he hired a pressure cleaner and set about it. One of his neighbours noticed the gleaming driveway and asked if he'd do his one for a few quid, once he'd done that they asked him to do the patio which he did. Then another neighbour asked and so on until he'd done half his street and trousered nearly £400 for 3 days work.

So he went out brought a cheap van and his own pressure cleaner. Now he just turns up at someones house in a posh road and offers to clean their drive for free, if they agree he does the job and in doing so makes all the neighbours drives look shabby so they'll come out and pay to have theirs done. He's now doing wheelie bins, patios, graffiti'd walls & just lately shopkeepers have started employing him to get chewing gum off pavements out side their premisis.

In just over a year he's got 3 vans, two blokes working for him and earns double what he was making as a draughtsman!

So its not all doom and gloom, keep your chin up and things will work out I'm sure!