How do I get back into technical work again?

July 31, 2006 7:54 AM

UKJobFilter: Techie/System Admin at heart, CV filled with Helpdesk experience. How do I get into techie work again?

I started my career in a technical support position at my local council, after working out my goverment sponsered placement (under the new deal) I was push into a frontline helpdesk roll, after numerous years there I got nicely booted out of the door. With no job I snapped at the first position I could find which was working for O2 customer services, after I left there i fell into Helpdesk role for a software company.

Looking at my CV i've only had 12 months technical experience and everything else has been customer services and helpdesk. I've applied for technical roles from a general techie to system administrator but i've never heard anything back.

Is there anything I can do that can improve my chances of getting an interview for these types of roles? any hints or tips on how to present my CV in a techie view without cutting out the bulk of my work experience?

posted by Nik_Doof to work & money (3 comments total)

Do you have any certifications? Your HD experience will be key, but certifications would help too.
posted by k8t at 8:21 AM on July 31, 2006

Well, most sysadmin jobs include some helpdesking, so it's not like it's a *down*check.

You might want to grab a copy of The Principles and Practice Of System Administration by Tom A Limoncelli. It ain't cheap (it's like $60US), but it was so good that when I sat down at Borders and flipped through it, I just bought it, instead of going home and Amazonning it for cheaper.

It includes quite a bit of non-technical but still useful information for the SA, including stuff related to getting and keeping the job itself, which you might find helpful.

The refresher can't hurt either.
posted by baylink at 8:49 AM on July 31, 2006

I'd register your CV with as many tech recruitment agencies as you can as well. Frankly there's huge need out there for technical skills - particularly in smaller businesses - and a dearth of people to provide them. It's a seller's market and you are the product!

Best of luck and I hope you enjoy wherever you fetch up.
posted by dmt at 6:22 AM on August 1, 2006