What do you have to do to get an IT job in Richmond? (fit in)

[sdipietro]

I know many people who have obtained the required level of education, IT industry standard credentials, (such as CCNA, Network+, and Security+), more than one degree (IT related) in addition to having work experience of more than 5+ years in IT, and can only seem to land a help desk position. Which you would think they are over-qaulified for. Ummm...

I've been hearing this from many peers even before the recession kicked in. I have had my own experience where a recruiter who contacted me and determined that I was a qualified candidate for a Network Operations Center Technician position, who suddenly turned to me upon meeting me in person and joked stating "it's kind of tough breaking into these IT jobs in Richmond, with the good ole boys network and all." Whatever that meant. Until this day, I can't forget that statement. In my persistant attempts to pursuing the position, I never got the job...thereafter, the recruiter had every excuse in the book, except that the hiring company had folded.

For any of you that may have had any shady experience of this type of with these IT recruiters, obviously your not alone. People who are serious and determined to invest their time, money, and energy in the effort to position themselves as a qualified IT professional should not be exploited by these recruiters, in which case I'm not convinced they are even qualified to know what these positions are that they are recruiting for. I'm wondering...what's more important to them your credentials or something that has nothing to do with your qualifications. Can we call that descrimination? Which brings up another question, rhetorically speaking...who's at fault the recruiter or the companies that use them?

If you have a story to share; please do. African Americans and women should reply. And those who just care and see the injustice, your comments and suggestions also are appreciated.

[traveling_in_the_sun]

I don't think it's just in IT or just in Richmond. In my experience, getting a job is mostly about who you know.

Sorry to hear your having trouble finding a job here. There must be a ton of IT professionals in the area. I just feel like in every Richmond company I've worked in the IT department is the largest

[Pruzhany]

"it's kind of tough breaking into these IT jobs in Richmond, with the good ole boys network and all."

Its tough because of the large amount of H1Bs that are here and the rest of the positions were outsourced to India.

[collegeguy35]

IT people are being replaced by HIBs from India and L1 visa workers. They also use OPT visa worker as well. Those from India also always hire others from India. They outsourced tons of IT work to India but also China Russia ect. Unless you have a niche skill set the game is up. Or you can spend life on 3 to 6 contract gigs. Move all over the US or find something else. If your young pack it in and find something else.

[Pruzhany]

I don't know if you're doing it yet, but heres an idea that may help. Throw away all your resumes. As each IT position comes up that you think you fit in for write a resume that fits exactly what they are looking for. It needs to touch each point.

See this is how H1B's do it. They count reading the manual of a Teradata 5400H server as experience. I've seen the India resumes and they are mostly garbage. They know no one is going to verify experience. But you need to be able to answer questions on it just in case.

I've been working with India for numerous years and I've caught them numerous times not knowing how to resolve a simple issue. Even though I know how to resolve the issue, my contract states for me not to resolve it personally (means I can log in into the server, But India is paid to actually type on the keys). So I copy a page out of the manual into an email and type "Read and follow instructions as stated".

The IT industry has taken some odd twists over the past 10 years. And from I've seen in Richmond are multiple levels of outsource in the same company. Another thing to keep in mind is that you may end up working at a local company but it doesnt mean you are working for that company (directly).

[Skratch]

them IT jobs are being outsourced, but have u tried ibm?

[ammonc]

If you're over 50 and a laid off I.T. guy, forget it... It's over... Move on to something else...

Go to Kroger's. Talk to the dude bagging groceries. He's got an A+ cert and a B.S. from UVA. He can't find anything at all, so he's bagging groceries by day and going back to school at night.

Richmond s*cks big time for I.T. jobs!!!

[GeorgiaTransplant]

Originally Posted by ammonc

If you're over 50 and a laid off I.T. guy, forget it... It's over... Move on to something else...

Go to Kroger's. Talk to the dude bagging groceries. He's got an A+ cert and a B.S. from UVA. He can't find anything at all, so he's bagging groceries by day and going back to school at night.

Richmond s*cks big time for I.T. jobs!!!

An A+ cert takes about 4 hours of studying a book. I surely wouldn't tout is as if the holder was somehow an IT guru.

If he had a CISSP, CCSP, or CCNP-then I'd be a little concerned.

[dbull75]

I'd try either Raleigh, NC or Atlanta for IT jobs. Must larger base of those types of jobs. I've had friends that worked in IT when I lived in Richmond that got laid off at LandAmerica and Capital One and couldn't find a job for up to a year. And this was before the economic bust.

[Mtaylo24]

Haha try getting into Accounting. We are all hurting.