Experience Required: 1-3 years How many times has your heart sank upon reading that line in a job ad? If you’re like most- too many to count. It’s a classic catch-22. You need a job to get experience but, you can’t get a job because they won’t hire you without experience. I think we’ve all […]
5 Clues Your Should Bail On Your Recruiter
There are many world-class recruiters in the business. Just like any other profession, there are some bad apples that give the rest a bad name. A recruiter is a professional matchmaker, connecting companies with new employees. They usually make a meager salary, but make big bucks when they place a candidate in a job. That’s […]
How to get an IT certification when you have a life
Let’s be real. I love IT certifications. I have a number of them. They make you more valuable at work, and a heck of a lot more confident. There’s also a dark side to certifications (no, seriously- why are you laughing?). You have A LIFE and you don’t want your wife to throw a frying […]
5 common pitfalls of the IT job hunt
Looking for a job in IT is hard enough. Make sure you get the most for your investment by staying away from these 5 job-hunting traps. Not telling your circle you’re looking When I look back at my working life, I see that basically all the career opportunities I’ve taken advantage of were because I […]
Surviving IT: Caring for Your Health in Technology Work
Knowledge work can be deadly. Information workers face a new set of challenges. You used to worry about getting hurt by the elements or some errant industrial machine. Today, the biggest dangers facing IT and knowledge workers are the dangers of not moving around, our furniture, and our food! For thousands of years, men and women have worked […]
6 Signs it’s Time to Find a new IT Job
The writing’s on the wall. It may be time to find a new IT job when you see these signs… 1. You’re bored Some IT people never get here. If you do eventually get bored, it’s likely because you thirst for challenges and learning. I say good for you! Sometimes, whether you’re lucky or good, […]
6 Weird Things IT Guys (and Gals) Celebrate
If you’re like most IT people, you know that most of our peers in the business are- how do I say this- a little off-beat. Let’s celebrate some of the weird stuff that gets technology workers happy. You have a day without a malware outbreak or hardware failure Nothing went wrong. It’s a beautiful feeling, but this […]
Jump from Desktop Support to Systems Admin – 5 One-Word Steps
There is nothing wrong with Desktop Support or Help Desk. Some I.T. folks, however, yearn to move from front lines to back office and become a Systems Administrator. I did it. You can, too. Here’s how: There are many reasons that you might want to become a Systems Administrator. Some do it for the money, […]
1 weird “tip” for Systems Admins (MSPs will HATE you)*
Here are some practical, use-it-today bits of advice that can start you on the road to being a more excellent I.T. Systems Administrator. No gimmicks- I promise. *Ok- it’s not 1 weird “tip”, it’s 5. This is not an ad by the way, I just wanted to see if that stupid but effective marketing tip […]
How to make your end-users hate you in 5 easy steps
Nobody starts off not liking who they work with or for, but in I.T., it’s easy to become jaded. Avoiding these common pitfalls will keep you in their good graces and will make you happier at work. Most of the following advice really flows out of respect for the other person. Respect is a decision, […]