The question:
My exams are not helping my job search
I have a recently completed the Comptia A+ and City & Guilds
level 2 in computer maintenance, but I am struggling to find either
contract or permanent work. I have plenty of experience at home but
less in the workplace. I have signed up with lots of free CV
distribution companies on the web, but responses have been limited.
What else can I do?
The solution:
Smarten up your CV and volunteer
You are clearly displaying a passion for your chosen area of work
by doing the exams, but there is no indication of this on your CV.
Think of this as your shop window - you need to display your wares
to best advantage.
There are many websites that offer free advice on how to get your
CV looking its best, or you could find a local IT company that
would do it for you, although there would be a charge.
If you expand on how you have used your technical skills in your
current role and what prompted you to take the exams, you will find
that you will receive a better response. You might also find that
if you approach your current employers they may be happy for you to
help out with the IT helpdesk on your own time to gain more
hands-on experience.
The other route to getting practical experience is to volunteer.
Your local council will be able to put you in touch with
organisations that would be delighted to have a pair of trained
hands helping out. This would also bolster your applications.
With the limited commercial experience you have, most agencies
would be unable to place you as clients are unwilling to recruit at
junior level when paying a fee. Try going to
www.flipdog.com to look up
companies which are recruiting in your skill area.
Solution by Tracey Abbott, divisional director, Zarak
Group
The panel: MSB International, Spring Group, E-Skills UK,
British Computer Society, Computer Futures, Computer People, Elan,
Reed Technology, Zarak Technology.
E-mail your career questions
to
computerweekly@rbi.co.uk