I need your help

Posted by umpfke@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 12 comments

How do I get an IT director to hire this 43 yo man?

Ever since the pandemic I have been searching for a new stable future for myself and tbh mostly my 8yo daughter.

I get through phase 1 and/or 2.

But every time the IT director eventually only cares about getting a peon/robot/...

Even though I've been in IT forever since 1980s as a kid, I feel like I'm not being taken seriously about my true passion.

Should I blow up my idea of getting stable employment and continue self-employment? Pff.

Serious advice pls

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PM_THE_REAPER@reddit

Hey man... There are people here trying to help. Every single reply that I've seen here, has come from people in the know. I work for a Fortune 500 company myself and I'll bet that a lot of people who have replied here, have similar experience and knowledge. Use it.

I feel for you, but we can help.

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PM_THE_REAPER@reddit

Some great advice posted already, but it would be good to know more about what type of job you're looking for and what your skillsets are.

Also any qualifications, even if they're legacy. Oh and the types of industries/companies that you've worked at. The other thing is, of course, what country you're in.

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SysAdminDennyBob@reddit

Are you only applying to fully remote jobs? Maybe broaden that to onsite or hybrid.

Have you had someone churn through your resume to modernize it? Are you slapping a table of skills keywords on the front page to get you through the automation?

Are you customizing each resume with a very short company specific cover letter that demonstrates that you looked through the "about" page on their website.

Are you willing to do contract-to-hire? that type of job allows companies to take a chance on you, if you are as good as you say you can easily prove yourself out to them in 6 months.

A Level 2 or Level 3 Helpdesk position can easily lead to a sysadmin position within a short period of time if you prove yourself out.

Are you competent in powershell? got some nice scripts you have written over the years to automate things? are those publicly available on your GitHub?

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Hoosier_Farmer_@reddit

stop applying for peon/robot jobs then, or get good at selling yourself as one.

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umpfke@reddit (OP)

Thank you. I'm going to remove this post, but I needed to read each of your replies.

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biggdugg@reddit

Start applying for director jobs instead. You have clearly moved beyond helpdesk and tier 2. Nobody is going to want someone under them who can already do thier own job.

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umpfke@reddit (OP)

Inspiring

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badaz06@reddit

I can't give you an honest answer without knowing your skillsets and the depth of your knowledge in those areas. I'm older than you and I got a job fairly easily.

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umpfke@reddit (OP)

I need to make a record despite having done it for decades.

I kinda knew the answer, but I needed your and other responses.

I guess pride is my enemy.

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TheBear_25@reddit

Hey man, i feel you, not far from your age and even though i have a degree in IT related ive been looking elsewhere for a stable future due to fear of all happening in IT domains.

Its tough out there and i want to wish you luck , and you should be very proud that you want to build stability for your daughter.

Only advice i can give is, showcase your passion, what youv studied, projects youv done (github) or create a site of them to show them off.

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umpfke@reddit (OP)

I need to start working on a record that people can see. Thanks for confirming what I feel I need to do (again). Those certificates are key, I guess.

Swallow my pride and get them all again.

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umpfke@reddit (OP)

I would love any links to free of charge certification centers. All my money is going to my daughter.

I literally don't even have money to pay for 365 (cause I paid off taxes from rona and the rest goes to feeding my daughter).

I am losing my passion after months of applying.