[Zs3ZASpA]

Does anyone work in an IT/Computer Science related position? I am trying to get into one, but can't seem to get hired by anyone. I just finished my bachelors degree last year in MIS. The only job experience I have is working for my dad's company. I have worked there a long time and have done IT related tasks, but it doesn't seem to impress employers. Is my lack of job experience my problem? I probably need more experience but can't get into a position. If i'm looking at a new position outside my dad's company, will I just have to take any job, like at a retail store or something to build up work experience and work up from there? Or will they not look at retail experience and want IT experience? I would prefer i get more IT experience, but so far can't get any since no one will hire. Also, do employers not like it when you have worked for a family company? They don't seem to like it from the interviws I have gone on.

Any advice is appreciated!!

[uC4F0NVL]

The problem with this field is they only employ people with experience in whatever system or languages they use. Now obviously thats a prob since if they only are looking for people with experience..where are you supposed to get it if nobody is offering to hire grads ?

You need to look for training posts, sort of like intern work before you can take up a proper developer position in a company. Lots of companies offer these posts but they arent well advertised (nor do they pay very well) so you need to send emails/letters and ask about it and when they are taking new people. Also another issue is most likely you will be bound to the company for a while (usually a year) in order to "pay back" for the training.

Failing that you have some other options, look for a job non IT related in a company that has an IT division (not one that outsources its IT). For example your degree even though IT related will help a lot at getting say a basic sales type job, from there you could move into the companies IT department once a position opens up since you have much easier access to the internal hiring system and youll know about availability long before the positions are offered to people outside the company.

Then lastly, some guys get their experience by starting up their own companies and working on projects for companies who are looking for cheap outsourcing (web dev, concept design etc). Again this could be costly, and you need to work really hard to make sure you know the stuff before you take up any jobs, youll need to do a lot of mock ups and such to train yourself first and youll have no income while doing that so youll definitely need some financial support or a part time job.

Hope this helps.

[Zs3ZASpA]

So are training posts sort of like an internship or a little different than that?

[uC4F0NVL]

So are training posts sort of like an internship or a little different than that?

Well im not sure how it would be in your country exactly, but here basically you get hired and they train you to do a specific job (usually something entry level, but with the aim of keeping you in the company as long as possible and move up).
Usually this form of employment has a high cost to company ratio (training costs + salary), so its higher level than a simple intern post and hence youll still go for structured interviews and such like with a normal job. Depending on the company it can be very professional and by the book, or maybe a bit less structured.
The thing is though, you wont require any experience for this kind of position so its a good area to look into for someone like yourself.

Though as i said, these kind of posts are often not advertised (mass media is usually reserved to fill positions where the applicants are hard to find, e.g lots of experience). Usually the info is given out at colleges and stuff or privately via the HR dept, so you need to get into touch with these people. Best way, find some friends of friends etc who work for said companies and get the contact details or procedures. Easier said than done i know, but its worth trying.

[gennick]

For me, I have had to go for a really low paid job to get the experience, because once I left uni I was in the same situation as yourself. I work as an IT admin at a school, been there for over a year now and if it were not for a recession I would be looking for a new job now because I NEED MORE DOE. It has taught me MANY things however, I have become a lot more confident in the way I tackle tasks and people, and I realised network server administration is what I want to do for the beginning of my life.

I am now revising for my MCITP exams (3 in total) - I want to get one under my belt by Dec/Jan and then I will look around elsewhere and use that as ammunition for future posts [xmassmile]

It's not just in IT though, many of my uni friends have found getting that foot in the door is the hardest thing in other industries, unless of course you know "Daddy" who can help you out [xmasgrumpy]