Getting a Helpdesk Job

abcdef abcdefg on 03/10/2020 - 19:21

So i recently completed a cert 4 in cyber-security and have customer service experience and so i applied for a bunch of helpdesk jobs thinking they would be the easy vehicle to enter the IT industry. Applied for a bunch of entry level jobs that pay <40k with supposed training but havent even got to the interview stage.

So these are my options as i see them, let me now what you guys see as the best option/ worst option.

  1. Diploma in IT: Fear is that if i go back and get a diploma i might be overqualified and it takes a year but it does increase my chances so cannot afford to not consider.

  2. Blame covid/ do nothing and wait for employers to relax their hiring requirements.

  3. Volunteer: Tried to get IT support via volunteering but its been a bust.

  4. Get certified (ITIL/ A+): Pricey and may not work but still an option.

  5. Improve CV/ cover letter: Dont think its going to make a radical difference but whatever.

  6. Traineeship: Perhaps over-qualified since they prefer someone without any certificates but still applying.

  7. Apply for other admin/ customer service jobs. Pay is similiar so no big deal.

Education & Work

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 03/10/2020 - 19:25
    +1

    Option 1 - gives you more options when done, and keeps you busy. In the scheme of life its minimal extra time, and you will learn.
    I have many degrees from grad dip, masters and cert 4 - cert 4 isnt on my resume, and i dont keep the transcripts. Upskill.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 03/10/2020 - 19:30

    Study, good time to study. Diploma is just entry level so not over qualify

  • apsilon on 03/10/2020 - 19:31
    +5

    Helpdesk is a common entry point but back when I used to interview for such roles it was normal to get several hundred applicants (as in 300 - 600) and that was a fair few years ago. It's probably even worse now. I'd call maybe 6 for interviews. Your CV matters more than you might think. You've got 30 seconds at most to spark some interest in looking deeper.

    • aragornelessar on 04/10/2020 - 00:38
      -1

      And if the CV goes straight to someone in recruiting, chances are they are just looking for buzzwords. I've heard of places who you wouldn't even get past the first discard pile if you didn't have the right certificate mentioned. The fact that that certificate could be faked or a lie doesn't matter to them - they're culling ruthlessly and that's the easiest way for them to do so.

  • Nixo on 03/10/2020 - 19:56

    You're basically saying that all people with IT diploma with no experience are overqualified for jobs.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/10/2020 - 19:58

    Won't find much for volunteer stuff.

    Look at software support companies as they tend to have high turnover rates - same with MSP's.
    IMO, MSP's offer the worst type of work and it sucks but it's a good foot in the door.

    We had a junior role at the place I work at and over 400 people applied, over 350 of them were way overqualified for the job, you really need something short and simple that stands out when it comes to a CV, something that pops or highlights your individualism compared to everyone else using the same generic 'goes above and beyond the call of duty etc', basically as @apsilon said, lots of applicants, need something that stands out in your CV over the first few lines, internal roles are highly sought after and they don't seem to take fresh students, you will always learn more on the job than in a diploma and people will prefer someone with a hunger to learn and grow within your role than qualifications.

    Just keep trying, get a job elsewhere in the meantime, customer service/call center jobs are also a good entry point as that's generally half the job of a helpdesk anyway, so focus on that as well!

  • thatonethere on 03/10/2020 - 20:14

    Try applying for SOC roles directly. There is usually a grave yard shift no one wants to do…

  • BookerDeWitt on 03/10/2020 - 21:08
    +7

    As a software developer: Don't do it. Working in any kind of "help desk" will destroy you soul; I completely lost my interest in IT thanks to my first Helpdesk job. I was originally a happy person… and now I instinctively hate every person I meet. Don't grow old and bitter like me.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/10/2020 - 21:20
      +3

      Isnt that just the professional life development in all jobs?

  • whatthecrappin on 03/10/2020 - 21:39
    -1

    maybe try a call center job and transfer across? most helpdesks do seem to be transferring offshore though, so government might be your best bet

  • abcdef abcdefg on 04/10/2020 - 01:58

    so nobody sees covid as a factor worth discussing. Everyone is saying either get a diploma or get a call centre position. I agree that they are the best options. Thanks for your thoughts.

  • whatthecrappin on 04/10/2020 - 11:49

    company I'm subbied to has alot of their call centers working from home atm. industries have to adapt or fold / ride it out. I imagine remote learning of a new job would be challenging without the face to face initial mentoring. becoming part of a team would be difficult in the beginning too.

    not sure if thats what you referring to?

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  • abcdef abcdefg on 04/10/2020 - 22:08

    no what i meant is that employers can have higher standards because COVID means there is a larger group of qualified unemployed labour.

  • abcdef abcdefg on 09/10/2020 - 06:06

    does anyone think i should get/apply for a traineeship and lie about completing a cert 4?

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