Job Hunting Need Help!

[Tyranicus]

I'm current lookin to get a new job in anything but retail. I been working retail for years now and its time for a change of pace. I'm currently a night shift manager for a chain of convenence stores in New Jersey. I'm a high school gradute with no formal training but I'm extremely handy with computers. I work hard at my jobs and is always on time and never call out unless I'm sick. I'm just looking for some full-time work in the new jersey-penn region. Anything but retail would be awesome. I'm willing to learn any skills that pertains to my new job. So escaspist any advice job hunting?

 

[ThriKreen]

Eh, I'd suggest you start learning some skills now, instead of later - that would make you more attractive to being hired instead of "on the job".

Doesn't matter what, pick something - if you don't like it, pick something else. The key is to find something that you enjoy doing and can see it as a future career path. And it becomes much easier to find a job requiring that skill set as you now have a focus.

 

[CAPTCHA]

You want to get into IT here's some things you should look into:

XML
HTML
CSS
Java Script
C#
SQL
PHP

It all depends on the exact area you are trying to get into, but get fluent in most of the above and then get yourself some qualifications to prove it. You don't really need a full on degree, but diploma level will certainly help. Even a HNC might open some doors for you. Don't expect college/uni/whatever to teach you these things, you've got to do most of it off your own back.

Hard part then is the finding an opening into the job market. A lot of companies are looking for people with 4 years or more relevant experience. It doesn't have to be years as a programmer or developer, etc, just related somehow. Start applying for those phoneline tech-support jobs at your local IP or at electronics retailers. If all else fails try to get some office based work as an admin or doing data entry.

I've been trying to get into the industy for around two years now. Got a job coming up with Knowhow (the company that runs tech support for Currys) on wednesday so I'm pretty excited. It's been hard work to get it though.

Oh yeah... get your CV looking swanky as hell. If it's just some black and white text it needs something more. Add some color, give it a unique layout and as stupid as this might sound, put a picture of a robot or something on it. It's all about catching the eye of the guy who's reading it.