IT career change and MCSE books?
18 October 2010, 03:46 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
IT career change and MCSE books?
I'm looking at changing my career to I.T been advised to get a MCSE before applying for any job?
Or is there a different/better route to take?
But my main question is can i get hold of the MCSE books in ebook form? Prefer free
Or is there a different/better route to take?
But my main question is can i get hold of the MCSE books in ebook form? Prefer free
18 October 2010, 04:01 PM
#4
That'll be through attrition, a recruitment moratorium and TUPE into services providers.
antc - best of luck with your choice but consider that you're trying to break into a highly competitive market which has an abundance of skilled, qualified and experienced people both onshore and offshore (at a snip of the price) I said on another thread - see if you can find an employer that is willing to pay for your training. Look around, MSCE is just one family of qualifications - there are an abundance of different IT qualifications available so consider which area you want to break into. I would say something generic would be of more use than a Microsoft specific qualification.
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18 October 2010, 06:43 PM
#11
The bubble has burst IT wise. All this **** you see on TV about starting salary of £30k is complete bollocks. As said before it was ok ten years ago but these days tis crap.
I got made redundant in Feb and still havent found work despite having 12 years solid experience some of that in senior tech positions with a couple of the worlds biggest companies.
The problem with the IT sector is the ar*eholes in the recruitment agencies as the only way into the jobs is via those clowns.
Take a recent application I made for a job I could do with my eyes closed. I was doing the job 10 years ago and have since gone on to have bigger and better experience with larger companies. The idiot recruiting emailed me back saying I didnt have the relavent experience and I wasnr what they were looking for. You're lucky if you get a response to your application never mind an interview. Most replies you get are the generic sorry but because of the high demand in our vacancies we are unable to respond to every appilaction if you havent heard from us in two weeks consider your application unsucccesful.
The one interview I did secure was against 194 applicants for the same job. I got down to the final 2 only to be knocked back because of the distance i'd of had to travel.
Every interview apart from that one i'be had in the last 5 years I've got the job. Like I said the problem is getting past the numpty up themselves recruitment consultants.
I got made redundant in Feb and still havent found work despite having 12 years solid experience some of that in senior tech positions with a couple of the worlds biggest companies.
The problem with the IT sector is the ar*eholes in the recruitment agencies as the only way into the jobs is via those clowns.
Take a recent application I made for a job I could do with my eyes closed. I was doing the job 10 years ago and have since gone on to have bigger and better experience with larger companies. The idiot recruiting emailed me back saying I didnt have the relavent experience and I wasnr what they were looking for. You're lucky if you get a response to your application never mind an interview. Most replies you get are the generic sorry but because of the high demand in our vacancies we are unable to respond to every appilaction if you havent heard from us in two weeks consider your application unsucccesful.
The one interview I did secure was against 194 applicants for the same job. I got down to the final 2 only to be knocked back because of the distance i'd of had to travel.
Every interview apart from that one i'be had in the last 5 years I've got the job. Like I said the problem is getting past the numpty up themselves recruitment consultants.
18 October 2010, 06:47 PM
#12
Scooby Regular
The bubble has burst IT wise. All this **** you see on TV about starting salary of £30k is complete bollocks. As said before it was ok ten years ago but these days tis crap.
I got made redundant in Feb and still havent found work despite having 12 years solid experience some of that in senior tech positions with a couple of the worlds biggest companies.
The problem with the IT sector is the ar*eholes in the recruitment agencies as the only way into the jobs is via those clowns.
Take a recent application I made for a job I could do with my eyes closed. I was doing the job 10 years ago and have since gone on to have bigger and better experience with larger companies. The idiot recruiting emailed me back saying I didnt have the relavent experience and I wasnr what they were looking for. You're lucky if you get a response to your application never mind an interview. Most replies you get are the generic sorry but because of the high demand in our vacancies we are unable to respond to every appilaction if you havent heard from us in two weeks consider your application unsucccesful.
The one interview I did secure was against 194 applicants for the same job. I got down to the final 2 only to be knocked back because of the distance i'd of had to travel.
Every interview apart from that one i'be had in the last 5 years I've got the job. Like I said the problem is getting past the numpty up themselves recruitment consultants.
I got made redundant in Feb and still havent found work despite having 12 years solid experience some of that in senior tech positions with a couple of the worlds biggest companies.
The problem with the IT sector is the ar*eholes in the recruitment agencies as the only way into the jobs is via those clowns.
Take a recent application I made for a job I could do with my eyes closed. I was doing the job 10 years ago and have since gone on to have bigger and better experience with larger companies. The idiot recruiting emailed me back saying I didnt have the relavent experience and I wasnr what they were looking for. You're lucky if you get a response to your application never mind an interview. Most replies you get are the generic sorry but because of the high demand in our vacancies we are unable to respond to every appilaction if you havent heard from us in two weeks consider your application unsucccesful.
The one interview I did secure was against 194 applicants for the same job. I got down to the final 2 only to be knocked back because of the distance i'd of had to travel.
Every interview apart from that one i'be had in the last 5 years I've got the job. Like I said the problem is getting past the numpty up themselves recruitment consultants.
18 October 2010, 06:51 PM
#13
If you want a career in IT i would advice you to do the A+ before next year as it wont ever expire if you do it before the deadline. This certification is like the entry level. Also what sort of field do you want to get into? as the IT industry has many fields! CCNA is also a good certification if you have a interest in netowrking & it is highly recognised.
I myself done the MCDST after finishing my computing degree & to be honest the degree was a waste of time.
P.S beware of many scammers who say you can do MCSE in 1 week & take your money.
I myself done the MCDST after finishing my computing degree & to be honest the degree was a waste of time.
P.S beware of many scammers who say you can do MCSE in 1 week & take your money.
18 October 2010, 07:53 PM
#14
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I would suggest if you do want to break into IT then experience will be the key, so rather than applying for half decent roles for a year and getting nowhere, take something pretty sh1te (maybe low paid, shift hours, field based etc) just to rack up some experience, then after a year or so start aiming a bit higher. But IT is not the gold-mine it used to be and the vast majority of jobs are fairly low paid for very boring work.
18 October 2010, 08:11 PM
#15
Again, 5 years ago this would've helped a lot, but not anymore. I work in networking (mainly Cisco, but also HP and others) and there's a hell of a lot of people out there if you're new to the industry. Bizarrely at my firm we also seem to take on a lot of people from pakistan when employing for junior roles too which won't help UK applicants either.
I would suggest if you do want to break into IT then experience will be the key, so rather than applying for half decent roles for a year and getting nowhere, take something pretty sh1te (maybe low paid, shift hours, field based etc) just to rack up some experience, then after a year or so start aiming a bit higher. But IT is not the gold-mine it used to be and the vast majority of jobs are fairly low paid for very boring work.
I would suggest if you do want to break into IT then experience will be the key, so rather than applying for half decent roles for a year and getting nowhere, take something pretty sh1te (maybe low paid, shift hours, field based etc) just to rack up some experience, then after a year or so start aiming a bit higher. But IT is not the gold-mine it used to be and the vast majority of jobs are fairly low paid for very boring work.
I still think the OP has chosen the right field compared to others. Minimum pay in a 1st line support job which would be considered ok would be no less than £17k depending on the area.
The other option would be to join a forum regarding certifications & see what feedback you get & what direction they point you in.
Last edited by KAS35RSTI; 18 October 2010 at 08:12 PM.
18 October 2010, 08:50 PM
#17
Scooby Regular
if you want ebooks etc get use bit torrents -- lots of resources online
also whatever you do -- get the basics right, i.e. politeness, enthusiasm, punctuality, attendance
because 85% can’t get those right -- if you do you can earn a pretty good living in IT
also whatever you do -- get the basics right, i.e. politeness, enthusiasm, punctuality, attendance
because 85% can’t get those right -- if you do you can earn a pretty good living in IT
18 October 2010, 09:16 PM
#18
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Thread Starter
18 October 2010, 09:31 PM
#21
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19 October 2010, 12:01 AM
#22
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Check out Test King, not free but I used them for doing mcp's up to MCSA (not got round to completing full MCSE). Apart from Test King I also had the books for each exam and read everyone solid for 3 days before each exam.
However I never used these for any job I applied for as only got these whilst in my current job. Previous to that it was about experience and as mentioned above working up the ladder (I started on a help desk which I did for 1 year before going to desktop support and then on to server support from there). Start with low expectations and work you way up year by year. The best way to get experience/knowledge when you aren't in the job is have a machine at home and continually build it and break it and rebuild and configure with different areas of server support. I bought an HP ML115 quad core opteron server for £179, loaded it with 8gb ram, 1tb drive costing all in about £300 in total so cheaper than most desktops! I run loads of virtual environments on it allowing to test stuff out and build entire core infrastructure setups. It's been invaluable at times.
However I never used these for any job I applied for as only got these whilst in my current job. Previous to that it was about experience and as mentioned above working up the ladder (I started on a help desk which I did for 1 year before going to desktop support and then on to server support from there). Start with low expectations and work you way up year by year. The best way to get experience/knowledge when you aren't in the job is have a machine at home and continually build it and break it and rebuild and configure with different areas of server support. I bought an HP ML115 quad core opteron server for £179, loaded it with 8gb ram, 1tb drive costing all in about £300 in total so cheaper than most desktops! I run loads of virtual environments on it allowing to test stuff out and build entire core infrastructure setups. It's been invaluable at times.
19 October 2010, 07:43 AM
#23
Scooby Regular
if you are serious create an account at www.prometric.com or http://www.vue.com/ -- you need it so that they can schedule your tests
also you can find out where your nearest testing centre is
but in essence you tell these guys (either one really I have always used prometric) what exam you want to do and where you want to do it - then pay them, they will schedule the test at your designated test centre
then you turn up - do the test, and in most cases get the result immediately
also you can find out where your nearest testing centre is
but in essence you tell these guys (either one really I have always used prometric) what exam you want to do and where you want to do it - then pay them, they will schedule the test at your designated test centre
then you turn up - do the test, and in most cases get the result immediately
Last edited by hodgy0_2; 19 October 2010 at 07:51 AM.
19 October 2010, 11:43 AM
#25
Now you see - this is exacly why all the microsoft's exam qualifications are a complete load of old shyte.
Experience foremost is what counts for me when someone's applying for a job.
Not the fact that they've got a dozen microsoft qualifications through cheating.
Experience foremost is what counts for me when someone's applying for a job.
Not the fact that they've got a dozen microsoft qualifications through cheating.
19 October 2010, 01:39 PM
#26
I fully agree. We've have rejected many candidates where the their CV's are littered with MCP's, MCSE's especially but have little or no experience. A simple verbal or written technical tests shows this clearly where you can see the candidates thought process are completely different to someone who has experience. The plethora of bootcamps and brain dump "training" material as totally devalued the status of these qualifcations as these sort of courses only shows you how to pass an exam. You can have all the qualifications in the world but it counts for squat if you don't have the experience. Don't assume you'll automatically get a highly skilled and paid job once you get these qualifications, those days are long gone. No employer in their right mind would let you loose on an enterprise network/server environment without experience.
My advice is, that if you want to get into IT, the easiest route would be through a IT call center, there at least you'll get basic training, stick with it for a year or so and if an opening come up for a back office role take it or move on to another company, perhaps an IT outsourcing company. There you'll be placed in environments where you might never get into if you tried to apply directly. We, for example, have outsourced some parts of our IT doing basic PC builds and swapouts, and whilst their experience is a bit lacking, they are exposed to technology in an enterprise environment. It's not a quick process, but it is a chance for easy progression into IT.
My advice is, that if you want to get into IT, the easiest route would be through a IT call center, there at least you'll get basic training, stick with it for a year or so and if an opening come up for a back office role take it or move on to another company, perhaps an IT outsourcing company. There you'll be placed in environments where you might never get into if you tried to apply directly. We, for example, have outsourced some parts of our IT doing basic PC builds and swapouts, and whilst their experience is a bit lacking, they are exposed to technology in an enterprise environment. It's not a quick process, but it is a chance for easy progression into IT.
19 October 2010, 02:26 PM
#28
I fully agree. We've have rejected many candidates where the their CV's are littered with MCP's, MCSE's especially but have little or no experience. A simple verbal or written technical tests shows this clearly where you can see the candidates thought process are completely different to someone who has experience. The plethora of bootcamps and brain dump "training" material as totally devalued the status of these qualifcations as these sort of courses only shows you how to pass an exam. You can have all the qualifications in the world but it counts for squat if you don't have the experience. Don't assume you'll automatically get a highly skilled and paid job once you get these qualifications, those days are long gone. No employer in their right mind would let you loose on an enterprise network/server environment without experience.
My advice is, that if you want to get into IT, the easiest route would be through a IT call center, there at least you'll get basic training, stick with it for a year or so and if an opening come up for a back office role take it or move on to another company, perhaps an IT outsourcing company. There you'll be placed in environments where you might never get into if you tried to apply directly. We, for example, have outsourced some parts of our IT doing basic PC builds and swapouts, and whilst their experience is a bit lacking, they are exposed to technology in an enterprise environment. It's not a quick process, but it is a chance for easy progression into IT.
My advice is, that if you want to get into IT, the easiest route would be through a IT call center, there at least you'll get basic training, stick with it for a year or so and if an opening come up for a back office role take it or move on to another company, perhaps an IT outsourcing company. There you'll be placed in environments where you might never get into if you tried to apply directly. We, for example, have outsourced some parts of our IT doing basic PC builds and swapouts, and whilst their experience is a bit lacking, they are exposed to technology in an enterprise environment. It's not a quick process, but it is a chance for easy progression into IT.
But its worse than that.
You don't even need to attend the course - you just buy a copy of the questions and answers and cheat
At least on a boot camp you'd be learning something
Microsoft know this too, yet they continue with this farcical accreditation scheme
Stupid ******* yanks!
19 October 2010, 02:34 PM
#29
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
if you are serious create an account at www.prometric.com or http://www.vue.com/ -- you need it so that they can schedule your tests
also you can find out where your nearest testing centre is
but in essence you tell these guys (either one really I have always used prometric) what exam you want to do and where you want to do it - then pay them, they will schedule the test at your designated test centre
then you turn up - do the test, and in most cases get the result immediately
also you can find out where your nearest testing centre is
but in essence you tell these guys (either one really I have always used prometric) what exam you want to do and where you want to do it - then pay them, they will schedule the test at your designated test centre
then you turn up - do the test, and in most cases get the result immediately
thanks I'm going to go through the PearsonVue one , the test center is only 30min drive away
going to order my ,self-learn book tonight.
I did a practice test earlier and got 65/80 so hopefully once i get the book i should nail it.
19 October 2010, 02:38 PM
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
I bought those Test King papers to test me before the exams, not to cheat. If you cheat you wont last long in a job. However for those that have studied hard and want to test themselves with real exam questions then they work very well.