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simpson_(1).jpgI have been in the IT field for about 15 years now within the Health Care industry and Education(Public Schools) as from Network Administration down to helpdesk. I have the A+ Certifcation as well as Network+. Within the last year or so I had to become my mother full time care giver. My wife and I were in a position with finances that I was able to fulfill that need for my mother. I am now however trying to get back into the IT field. With a big gap of not working in the field I know it will be hard for me to return to the level I was at. I have a two fold question that I would like your feedback on.

  1. I have been studying for my CCENT/CCNA. I do not have this certification and I am thinking this will help me be more marketable if I have it. I can comfortably dedicate 8 hrs a day studying for this for the next 6 months. Is this a realistic goal and will it help me if I do obtain this certification.

  2. With the gap on my resume I intend to be completely honest about the circumstance. Since IT jobs were I live are very few and we will have to move to find better employment. Is this a good idea or not.

With that said, I have been using CBT nuggets and the ICND1 100-105 cert guide. Plus other study material as well. Any suggestions if this is a good idea for study material and lab help.

Thank you all for your input. This community has always been a great help to me.

Greg

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Which CCNA are you trying to get? There are several?
I assume R&S ? That’s a networking certificate. Is that what you want to do, mainly work in networking?
When you say ‘work in IT’ that’s too broad, what specifically do you want to do?
If you have good experience, MSPs are usually looking for people, and MSP help you get skills very quickly but it’s a draining job.

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If I were a hiring manager, I would totally understand that gap in your career.

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Getting a cert will help cover that gap of employment, I’ve seen that mentioned a few times. If you are considering moving to a different location, apply to areas you’re considering. Sometimes, employers will help with moving expenses if they find the right person to hire, so that can help with that.

I wish you luck in your hunt!

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If I were in the position you describe, I would not be spending six months studying for exams. If you are not out there pounding the pavement, interacting with potential employers and having a conversation to try to get the job, what information do you have to back up what you think you need?

Studying, like searching job boards, posting resumes everywhere may be easier, more comfortable, but I don’t see nearly as effective as if you are out and about.

Job searching is a multi-facetted, multi-nuanced journey and should be your full time job when you don’t have one to go to.

It will be hard work. It can be scary. It will challenge you. You will probably have to do things that you don’t like to do.

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Ok so a few things. Yes certs will help however you do have that gap in employment that will be a bit of a challenge to overcome. I wouldn’t wait 6 months though. You can always work on the cert while looking.

You’ll need to do the basics like: polish up your resume, put it out there on sites like Zip Recruiter, Indeed and Dice, get in contact with local tech recruiters and of course apply to jobs on-line.

Be aware that you may get calls from overseas based recruiters. I have never had any luck with these but YMMV.

Also consider taking some short term contracting jobs while you are looking for full time employment.

Good luck!

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I totally agree with you Jim. I have not given up on my job search. Resumes are out. Contacting recruiters, Searching every IT board possible for job prospects. The town I live in is less than 50K with few IT jobs. My last employer has shut down its office here with far and few other IT jobs. My wife teaches and is under contract till May so at the moment we are stuck in this position. If the position came about I would move on to a new location and my wife and kids would follow in May. It would be just like it was when I was Activity Duty military and we would just make the best of a uncomfortable situation.

@jadrien

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Another thought on the topic of filling the gap in employment history. Do try to cover it rather than leave it there as a gaping hole. If you were to volunteer somewhere, participate in a networking group of jobs seekers (I know of one in Massachusetts) or something along those lines you can win on several fronts. The main ones being that you have something to list. It gives you opportunities to network for the next job. If you mix it with your interests, you might just end up going in some other direction. Its a great talking point during interviews. Etc. If you mix it with your best skill sets, you probably will end up becoming invaluable. Of course it also can be structured like a job and certainly proves to anyone reading your resume with the gap in unemployment and thinking you are damaged, out-of-touch and unemployable for unknown reasons.

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Indeed.
Put the time on your CV as being a full time carer and dont fret that it might be read the wrong way.
it was the right choice at the time and there is no shame in it.

i would not necessarily equate that part of your CV to the difficulties in finding a new role.
When looking for new roles it can often turn into one big fishing expedition and getting the first break (offer to interview) can often feel more like luck then anything else.

Chin up…

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How is the progress going on the certificates?

One can never go wrong with a certification. It is a lot cheaper than college and Cisco certifications are incredibly hands on.

I am in a similar position that I was laid off 1 week ago. I have my CCENT and should be taking my CCNA in less than 2 weeks. I am thinking that I can also finish the CCNA security and then CCNP security within a month. I too am studying 40 hours a week.