Sub-Goal 1 Completed: I work in IT!

Today marks an important milestone on my digital journey: I started my first official IT job!

I've been told a few different titles, from Systems Administrator, to Data Center Specialist, to Tier I Help Desk Intermediate, but the offer letter says Help Desk Support Services Specialist - Intermediate, so we'll go with that for now. It's with a sub-contractor in the basement of a government building, where I'll be keeping an eye on servers and responding to incidents from clients.

Getting to this point meant surviving the semester from hell. You may remember that upon obtaining my IT certifications, I began looking for employment on August 22nd. For some inane reason I was convinced that while working full-time, going to school full-time, fulfilling obligations as a husband, and being an adult, I would also find the time to look for a new job... and study a little programming on the side, of course. Well my friends, suffice to say I am not a wizard Harry, Jasmin and I were both feeling stressed, and I was beginning to wonder whether I be doomed to work in mental health for eternity.

As the semester came to a close, things began to fall into place. Jasmin's cousin told me about a friend who was looking to fill an IT position, and amidst a 30-hour weekend blitz to complete a paper and two final exams I managed to squeeze out a resume and application and set up an interview. Within a week of first hearing about the position, I had an official offer letter in hand, put in my two weeks notice, and got my grades back for my four classes this semester: straight As.

I suppose it comes down to an old adage that I've struggled against for years: "it's not what you know, but who you know." I'd actually modify that to say: it's what you know, but people will only listen depending on who you know. It took me 7 months and 11 days to trade $875.10 in training for a 50% increase in salary, which I can now use to cover the entire expense in 1 month without missing a beat. And most importantly, I can continue to grow in this position while getting valuable "technical experience."

1. Earn IT certifications.
1. CompTIA A+ Training Birthline: Sunday, May 29
2. CompTIA A+ Training Deadline: Thursday, July 21
3. CompTIA A+ 220-901 Certification Exam: Friday, July 22
4. CompTIA A+ 220-902 Certification Exam: Friday, July 22
5. CompTIA Security+ Training Birthline: Monday, July 25
6. CompTIA Security+ Training Deadline: Sunday, August 14
7. CompTIA Security+ SYO-401 Certification Exam: Monday, August 15
2. Find an entry-level IT job (ideally with exposure to programming).
1. Job Search Birthline: Monday, August 22
2. Job Search Deadline: Monday, January 09, 2017
3. Take pre-requisite courses online while learning programming on the side.
1. Pre-req Birthline: Monday, August 22
2. Pre-req Deadline: Sunday, May 07, 2017
4. Apply to grad school.
1. Application Birthline: Wednesday, March 15, 2017
2. Application Deadline: Monday, May 1, 2017
3. Program Birthline: Fall 2017
5. Increase professional programming experience.
1. Fall 2017
6. By graduation, I'll have both education and experience.
1. Program Deadline: 2019-2020???
7. Profit.
1. 2020???

If you were just looking for an update on my journey, you can stop here. If you'd like to know what I've learned over the last few months and also want to get your foot in the door with IT, read on!

Step 1: Knowing your shit

Since choosing my goals, I focused my energy on obtaining my CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications. As I concluded in the latter post, "It took me a grand total of 124.75 hours and 954 SRS flashcards to accomplish this feat." Starting from scratch on 5/29/16 to having both certs on 8/15/16, that's two and a half months that I spent building my current level of competency used to acquire this entry-level position.

Step 2: Getting your ducks in a row

Before searching for jobs, it may help to first organize all of your work experience and information in one place. This could include updating your LinkedIn account (see mine for ideas) or keeping a note in Evernote, so when it comes to filling up your resume or tailoring it to a specific job field it's simply a matter of picking out the information you want to highlight rather than coming up with it from scratch each time.

Next, you can create your resume. In a new field, you may want to push experience lower on the page and raise information that makes you look more qualified. For example, after the Objective, I have Professional Qualifications to emphasize my certifications, followed by Education to underscore that I'm in school learning computer science. By the time we get to Employment Experience, it doesn't look quite as bad that I lack direct experience, though I do include ways that I've used tech in each of my positions. Here is the resume I used:

The third big thing to prepare is the cover letter. I tend to depend less on resume optimization for each job (so long as it's in a general category, like "IT") and more on optimizing my cover letter to tell my story. The following is the template I've tweaked over the years and ultimately used for IT jobs. You're welcome to adopt it as you see fit.

[DATE]

Dear [COMPANY] Hiring Manager,

As a certified IT professional, I was excited to find your opening on [WEBSITE] for a [POSITION] to [OBLIGATIONS]. I sincerely feel that I would be a great addition to your team because the position combines my technical skills obtained through CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security+ training, and my diverse professional skills gained through experience in applying technology.

I currently work as a Case Manager for homeless individuals with mental illness. This experience has given me the opportunity to spearhead a departmental shift to HIPAA-compliant cloud-based systems and to train coworkers to utilize these tech resources for our clients. I am fluent in Japanese and have worked as a professional translator, following strict security regulations to remotely translate technical documents into English for large corporate clients. Developing this interest in technology has been a way to challenge myself, by training in IT concepts such as PC hardware and peripherals, networking, cloud computing, mobile management, access control, threats, and vulnerabilities. My training not only enabled me to obtain A+ and Security+ certifications, which CompTIA recognizes as the equivalent of 2 years of experience, but offered numerous opportunities to employ this knowledge to troubleshooting practical, real-world scenarios.

I received my B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology in December 2009 from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where I graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors and a GPA of 3.94. I am currently enrolled in the University of Maryland University College to learn Computer Science, in preparation for a Master's Degree. My future career plans include possible paths with computer science and/or cyber security, and I'm looking forward to improving my skills sets along the way.

I would like to augment the knowledge from my training and the skills from my prior employment with this full-time professional position. It would be inspiring to work with a company that [INTERESTING FACTOID]. My resume is attached for your consideration.

Thank you for your time to review my application. I hope to have the opportunity to discuss the opening with you in person.

Sincerely,

The final big document you may want to arrange ahead of time is the personal references. These can include anyone from past supervisors, to professors, to mentors. I usually have a one page sheet with a chart split into Name, Relationship, Job Title, and Contact Info, ready to send out when needed. Here is the email I use to request using someone as a reference:

Dear Mr./Ms. [NAME],

I am writing to ask if I could use you as a [PROFESSIONAL/ EDUCATIONAL/ PERSONAL] reference.

If you would be able to attest to my qualifications for employment, and the skills I attained while I was employed at [COMPANY], I would sincerely appreciate it.

I have just [LIFE UPDATE] and am in the process of seeking a new position, and a positive reference from you would enhance my job search prospects.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is any information (resume, LinkedIn profile, etc.) I can provide regarding my experience to assist you in being my reference. I can be reached at [EMAIL] or [PHONE].

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,

Step 3: Making connections (MOST IMPORTANT)

I realize now that I have been subscribing to an overly optimistic image for years - that of the one-man show, of someone who is self-made and got to where they are today entirely on their own merit. The fact of the matter is, we all depend on the support of people around us to make it somewhere in life. If I think back to all the paid jobs I've had over my lifetime, out of the 11 total positions 6 were from personal connections, 3 were from employers desperate to hire anyone, 1 was from a specifically targeted attempt over years of prep, and only 1 was from an online posting that I applied to. In addition, all 3 of the interviews I went on over the last 4 months were from personal connections: 2 from friends who recommended me, and 1 from meeting at a job fair.

Granted, this is an experience from a sample size of n of 1 and I'm not saying you can generalize it to the whole population. What I am saying is that you shouldn't underestimate how far you can get just by reaching out to people you already know and telling them that you're looking for a job in IT. If it weren't for Jasmin's cousin having a friend at the company, I never would have heard about the position and been given a chance. And in the end, you're just looking for an opportunity to show off the skills you developed in Step 1. So get out there an advertise that you're looking for a position! Talk to people you know who work in IT, talk to family, and post on Facebook. You may want to keep your job search on the dl when it comes to your current job, and that's understandable. But if you keep your job search a complete secret, you might as well accept the fact that it's going to take you much, much longer to make those connections. I'm by no means a networking expert, but leveraging those skills cannot be understated in the quest for employment.

On the subject of personal connections, job fairs are a great opportunity to make a ton of new connections based on what you're currently looking for. The most important things to prepare are simply looking professional and preparing a 30-second commercial about yourself that includes your identity, trains, and intention. Here's mine:

My name is Greg, I'm a UMBC alumni and a certified IT professional. I recently began taking undergraduate Computer Science courses at UMUC and am preparing for a Master's program next Fall. Right now, I have certifications in CompTIA A+ and Security+ and I'm looking for an opportunity to expand my technical experience with positions such as Systems Admin, Desktop Support, and IT Technician. Is this aligned with any roles you're looking to fulfill?

Ideally, you'll want to come early and plan out which companies you'd like to talk to. If you can do a little research on those companies and the positions they're hiring for, you get extra brownie points. But focus first on making a good first impression and showing your potential interest. Have plenty of resumes and a decent-looking note pad and pen. And don't forget to ask for business cards and to keep a note of who you spoke with, or if possible to get an official list from the career fair of everyone's contact information.

After the career fair, touch base and lead into sending out an application.

Subject: [YOUR NAME] from [LOCATION/ SCHOOL] Career Fair - IT Position

Dear Mr./Ms. [NAME]:

We met on [DAY] at the Career Fair at [LOCATION]. I greatly enjoyed speaking with you about [COMPANY'S WORK], and the work you that do.

I wanted to reaffirm my interest in [POSITION] at your (organization/company). [COMPANY]'s mission of [GOAL] is one that I strongly believe in, and I know that my IT training, CompTIA A+ and Security+ certifications, and passion for (technology/cyber security, as well as my plan to pursue a Master's degree in Computer Science,) make me a strong candidate for the position.

I have attached a copy of the resume I gave you at the Career Fair. In order to apply for [POSITION], should I refer to your website or email you my cover letter directly? Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, 

If there were companies that I didn't get the chance to speak with at the career fair, I'll consider sending them a similar email saying that I "regretfully ran out of time. I'd like to reach out and introduce myself to emphasize my interest."

Step 4: Sending out applications

With your documentation ready and positions pouring in from your personal connections, it's time to start sending out those applications! If nothing else, online sites like CareerBuilder, Indeed, Monster, Washington Post Jobs, Idealist, and Craigslist provide good practice in completing applications and interacting with companies. With them, it's all a numbers game; the more apps you send out, the higher your likelihood of people noticing you. You will need to keep track of all those applications, so I recommend creating a Google Sheets spreadsheet with the following columns: Company, Position, Location/Distance, Where Found, When Applied, Follow-up, Certification Required, Coding Opportunity (Y/N), Pay, Contact Name, Phone, Email, Website. Then you can update the Follow-up column as things progress, and can even highlight the rows in different colors depending on how far along you are (called back, phone screened, interviewed, etc.).

In addition to the numbers game, you'll also want to try distinguishing yourself from the competition. One way that I used to get some call backs was (in addition to the application) sending a follow-up email with a cover letter and resume attached. Other people hide their resumes in a boxes of donuts. Don't be afraid to get creative!

Step 5: Contacting companies

It's crucial that you're not only sending out applications, but consistently following-up. After about a week, I'll call up the company's hiring department.

Hi, may I speak to (CONTACT/your hiring manager) please? Thank you.

Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME]. I submitted a resume and application on [FOUND] last week for a [POSITION] and was following-up to confirm that it was received. If not, I would be glad to resend my application materials or provide any other information you may need. I would also like to reiterate my interest in the job. I feel that my skills and experience would be an ideal match for this position.

Thank you for your time.

If I can't get in touch with the hiring manager via phone, I'll send an email.

Dear (CONTACT/your hiring manager), 

I submitted a letter of application and a resume earlier this month for the [POSITION] advertised on [FOUND]. To date, I have not heard from your office. I would like to confirm receipt of my application and reiterate my interest in the job. 

I am very interested in working at [COMPANY] and I believe my skills and experience would be an ideal match for this position. 

If necessary, I would be glad to resend my application materials or to provide any further information you might need regarding my candidacy. I can be reached at [PHONE] or [EMAIL]. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely,

In a way, this is a last-ditch effort to create that personal connection, in spite of not having the opportunity to do so in person.

Step 6: Getting the interview

Steps 1 through 5 are, in truth, simply ways of enticing the hiring manager enough to get an interview and show your face. At this stage, you know that the company considers you as a potential employee and you're already more than qualified to handle the obligations. So go in with confidence! Of course, you want to prepare to answer typical interview questions. There's no reason to be surprised by these questions as most of them can be found online and you can practice how you'll answer them. Here are some of the ones I practiced answers to: "Tell us about yourself," "What do you want to do in 5 years," "Why would you be a good fit for this position / why should we hire you," "Why do you want to work for our company," "What is your greatest weakness," "Tell me about a time when you worked under pressure," "What are your strengths / Tell me about your personality," "What do you think about your last boss," and "How much are you looking to make at this job?" There may be technical questions as well, so just keep reviewing what you learned and you should do fine.

Don't forget to also prepare your own set of questions for the interviewer. This shows that you've thought about the position and gives you a chance to determine whether this is really a company YOU want to work for. Some of my favorites include asking what progress they look for in the first 3 months, and asking what the interviewer loves about working at the company. Make sure to ask about what the next steps in the hiring process are after the interview.

Step 7: Following-up

If you make it through the interview and think, "I did pretty well," and most importantly feel like the job is exciting, don't forget to go the extra mile in reaching out afterwards. You can hand-write a thank you letter if you really want to be a boss, but at the very least you should send an email.

Dear Mr./Ms. [NAME]:

I greatly enjoyed speaking with you about the [POSITION] at [COMPANY] on [DAY]. The job, as you presented it, seems to be a very good match for my skills. The [INTERESTING FACT] you described confirmed my desire to work with you.

I understand your need for someone who [JOB DESCRIPTION]. My detail orientation and organization skills will be an asset to your team. I neglected to mention during my interview that [FORGOTTEN POINT].

I appreciate the time and effort you took to interview me. I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you about this position.

Sincerely,

If you follow these steps and utilize the resource I've gathered in the process of finding an IT job, with a little luck you'll get a position a lot quicker than I did. At the very least, I hope there's something in there that you can use to your advantage. Don't give up until you've found that dream job! ~_^