The Official IT Thread

[BlackThor356]

yo im tryin to start in this field....i aint got no experience with networking besides setting up my modem in this bitch. but im dead ass bout learning this shit. if yall niggas in here gettin 100+ an hour, imma put my bid in.

i enrolled in school starting spring semester, so i got like 4 motnhs before i start. im gettin going for an AS in network services technology. imma try to get the A+ cert , CCNA, Net +, and the Security + to start with

is that too much, can a nigga really do all that?? can i start teaching myself before the spring semester start and snag a cert or two??

 

[King Erauno]

start with A+, security + (if you want to get into security) and then CCNA. CCNA and Net + is generally the same thing but CCNA is more in depth and could net you some good $.

it can be done but you gotta really put some hours in. maybe 2-3 hours a day can get you a ccna in a couple months.

 

[BlackThor356]

so with no years experience in this industry i can get these licenses and get a job??? it seems like this industry cares only about experience, is that true?

 

[guytoosmooth]

I'm going full force with this IT stuff. I'm switching my major from accounting. What program do y'all recommend to get a bachelors degree in, does it really even matter? The school I'm going to has like 15 different IT degree programs. I want to do networking and security, but they got like 4 different security joints.

 

[King Erauno]

so with no years experience in this industry i can get these licenses and get a job??? it seems like this industry cares only about experience, is that true?

yes. getting a CCNA for example takes practice and study. so you will get experience while studying for the exam itself. then recruiters can say hey blackthor has his CCNA so he should know _____ etc, he will be a good fit for this job.

 

[King Erauno]

I'm going full force with this IT stuff. I'm switching my major from accounting. What program do y'all recommend to get a bachelors degree in, does it really even matter? The school I'm going to has like 15 different IT degree programs. I want to do networking and security, but they got like 4 different security joints.

when i was in undergrad i majored in computer science, but my school was small and didnt have much to offer in IT besides that. id say go for what you want...that way you will get experience while in school.

 

[BlackThor356]

so with no years experience in this industry i can get these licenses and get a job??? it seems like this industry cares only about experience, is that true?

yes. getting a CCNA for example takes practice and study. so you will get experience while studying for the exam itself. then recruiters can say hey blackthor has his CCNA so he should know _____ etc, he will be a good fit for this job.

How will I get this practice? Jus by reading the books? Are there places u can go to get hands on practice?

 

[King Erauno]

so with no years experience in this industry i can get these licenses and get a job??? it seems like this industry cares only about experience, is that true?

yes. getting a CCNA for example takes practice and study. so you will get experience while studying for the exam itself. then recruiters can say hey blackthor has his CCNA so he should know _____ etc, he will be a good fit for this job.

How will I get this practice? Jus by reading the books? Are there places u can go to get hands on practice?

studying for the exam. you will need some software...i recommend looking for packet tracer 5.3. its simulation software that will get you through the exam. There is a lab section of the exam where you will have to configure a router. you have to pass this lab portion of the exam or else you will fail. By the time you study the book and this software and pass you will have had some hands on experience.

 

[BlackThor356]

so with no years experience in this industry i can get these licenses and get a job??? it seems like this industry cares only about experience, is that true?

yes. getting a CCNA for example takes practice and study. so you will get experience while studying for the exam itself. then recruiters can say hey blackthor has his CCNA so he should know _____ etc, he will be a good fit for this job.

How will I get this practice? Jus by reading the books? Are there places u can go to get hands on practice?

studying for the exam. you will need some software...i recommend looking for packet tracer 5.3. its simulation software that will get you through the exam. There is a lab section of the exam where you will have to configure a router. you have to pass this lab portion of the exam or else you will fail. By the time you study the book and this software and pass you will have had some hands on experience.

Word. So this simulation software will gimme da experience to pass the lab section? Coo

 

[traestar]

I just cannot get past these technical interviews, I feel that every time I take one of a position I have one of those phone interviews and I think it goes good and I didn't get the job. I've had like 7 potential jobs past me because of the technical interview, has anyone got past them??

 

[King Erauno]

I just cannot get past these technical interviews, I feel that every time I take one of a position I have one of those phone interviews and I think it goes good and I didn't get the job. I've had like 7 potential jobs past me because of the technical interview, has anyone got past them??

what kind of questions are being asked? what type of position are you applying for? i've passed tech interviews for each of my jobs that ive held

 

[King Erauno]

so with no years experience in this industry i can get these licenses and get a job??? it seems like this industry cares only about experience, is that true?

yes. getting a CCNA for example takes practice and study. so you will get experience while studying for the exam itself. then recruiters can say hey blackthor has his CCNA so he should know _____ etc, he will be a good fit for this job.

How will I get this practice? Jus by reading the books? Are there places u can go to get hands on practice?

studying for the exam. you will need some software...i recommend looking for packet tracer 5.3. its simulation software that will get you through the exam. There is a lab section of the exam where you will have to configure a router. you have to pass this lab portion of the exam or else you will fail. By the time you study the book and this software and pass you will have had some hands on experience.

Word. So this simulation software will gimme da experience to pass the lab section? Coo

yep. grab a ccna book, grab packet tracer and go in on both of those.

 

[traestar]

I just cannot get past these technical interviews, I feel that every time I take one of a position I have one of those phone interviews and I think it goes good and I didn't get the job. I've had like 7 potential jobs past me because of the technical interview, has anyone got past them??

what kind of questions are being asked? what type of position are you applying for? i've passed tech interviews for each of my jobs that ive held

For various jobs in the past year and admittedly I've changed my job search strategy for that past year as well. I'll explain, last year I was just putting out apps for any entry level job I could get, now I try to focus on entry level jobs that follow a career path (in my case, starting from the bottom to get to Database Administrator). So last year I've applied for Entry Level Software Testing for AppLabs and Information Security Analyst and both I failed in because of the technical interview questions. ISA position if I could remember them asking J2EE questions and Spring and Software Testing at AppLabs asked me Java questions.

Besides the fact that this was the first time I expected these questions, I was not prepared for them. The ISA was the first one and I completely bombed it and it really drove my confidence down, then the AppLabs one I tried reading on it before the technical interview and I was stumbling and trying to sort resources and I was killed on that. Luckily the third job came through by a family friend and I'm currently at that job as I type.

I work as a Data Analyst for the FAA and after working here, I feel like this job is more like grunt work and not anything that I can use as experience. I've looked at other jobs around the building and I feel that the software/systems that they use are focused strictly on aviation. So as I approach my year, I've recently started applying again. And thats where I'm at now, I just had interviews with three different companies this past week and I got turned down by all three...one I had at the site were strictly hardware and because I've had mostly software type skills, they were looking the other direction. That position was Data Center Technician. The other two were entry level programming and quality assurance positions respectively of which they've had technical interviews. The QA position is the one I'm crushed about, because they didn't ask much technical questions and asked about my background of which I have no problem with that. But some of the things that the interviewer said I had to ask to repeat it because I couldn't understand him. And I thought that I had this one too, and I get the confirmation that they didn't accept.

The programming position they had me figuring out a SQL query problem of which I've worked on in college but not on a consistent basis. So as I'm working on the problem, I thought that I had this one and I find out that I didn't get this job.

So thats been part of my story so far and it is the most frustrating thing that I've ever experienced. And thats apart of the fact that where I'm from there are no real opportunities for IT people in South Jersey like that. There's only the FAA and little departments in the casinos, but thats it. I've recently tried to reach out to Delaware (where the Data Center tech job was at), Philly, North jersey, and NY for jobs and now I'm at a point where before I apply for another job, I want to start talking to other people to see where the problem may be.

 

[King Erauno]

well thats a tough situation because ultimately, you never know what type of interview you will get. you may get a real technical interview, or you may just have more of a personality interview, as normally you are interviewed on both. My current job, for example, I had to do an online test before i even sat for an interview. this measured my tech abilities and i got like a 75% or some shit like that. which ironically is higher than anybody else had gotten. So i got an interview which was more of a personality interview. myself and the hiring manager really sat there and chopped it up basically asking me what types of things ive done, am i comfortable with shit etc. it took them a month to hire me because they wanted to be sure I was the right guy for the job.

Like any IT area, networking, programming, hardware...id make sure to really grasp the concept. SQL, i'd make sure i could run queries in my sleep, with no hesitation. Networking? I've been doing this shit everyday for almost 2 years now. You gotta go hard with this shit, because there are always 1000000 other people applying for the same position as you, and want to take your spot.

Look at the job requirements and make sure you can go above and beyond what they are asking. Certifications are impt to me because if i say i have x certification, the recruiter/hiring manager knows that i know y off gate. they'll ask me questions about it and i can answer (almost) with no hesitation. So if you know that you may be asked questions about a programming position in Java, make sure you at least know the basics. If they stump you, you can fire back with" i know blah blah blah, but am unsure of how to fix it. i'd love the opportunity to learn to do so with this position"

Also its real tough to be a jack of all trades. Jack of all trades = master of none. I can program a little (in college) but i havent done it in years, ive been concentrating on network security. So i wouldnt even think to apply for a programming job. Find your niche and apply for it, no matter what it is

 

[traestar]

True indeed man, you're right about really grasping the concept, because the Programming one which I had to query, the interviewer said that I didn't grasp the SQL concept well. But its understandable that I have to go 100% hard on these technical interviews. They ask me book type questions too, I've yet to even take an online test.

But yea I understand now, it's almost like they want to make sure you can do the work before they invest the time and money on you. Well thats definitely something I will work on, at the job that I'm currently at, they really have me working most of the time that its hard to get reading and studying in, I'm looking to get into SQL Server training very soon, hopefully that could help me as well.

Another thing too that I caught what you said is hesitation, thats been a problem for me. I would think about the problem and then answer it the best way I can, but it seems they want perfection. Freaking crazy of the expectations of just an entry level job.

But again, thanks man!

 

[valdez21]

True indeed man, you're right about really grasping the concept, because the Programming one which I had to query, the interviewer said that I didn't grasp the SQL concept well. But its understandable that I have to go 100% hard on these technical interviews. They ask me book type questions too, I've yet to even take an online test.

But yea I understand now, it's almost like they want to make sure you can do the work before they invest the time and money on you. Well thats definitely something I will work on, at the job that I'm currently at, they really have me working most of the time that its hard to get reading and studying in, I'm looking to get into SQL Server training very soon, hopefully that could help me as well.

Another thing too that I caught what you said is hesitation, thats been a problem for me. I would think about the problem and then answer it the best way I can, but it seems they want perfection. Freaking crazy of the expectations of just an entry level job.

But again, thanks man!

I had the same problem. I hated technical interviews. Went through alot of interviews too. The best advice i can give you is to KNOW YOUR RESUME and go 3 DEEP on each statement or fact. They won't ask you anything unless it's on your resume. So if you put SQL, you need to be able to explain the basics and maybe give an example of code or something. My last interview they didn't even ask technical questions, all they basically asked is what do you do day-to-day, what projects have you been on. That's it, no bs. If you can talk about what you've done and explain it in a way a 10 year old can learn, you are good. Stay honest fam, if you haven't dealt with it, say you haven't had the opportunity in your current role but would love to learn. They love that. Companies are also big on customer service skills. Keep that in mind.

 

[traestar]

True indeed man, you're right about really grasping the concept, because the Programming one which I had to query, the interviewer said that I didn't grasp the SQL concept well. But its understandable that I have to go 100% hard on these technical interviews. They ask me book type questions too, I've yet to even take an online test.

But yea I understand now, it's almost like they want to make sure you can do the work before they invest the time and money on you. Well thats definitely something I will work on, at the job that I'm currently at, they really have me working most of the time that its hard to get reading and studying in, I'm looking to get into SQL Server training very soon, hopefully that could help me as well.

Another thing too that I caught what you said is hesitation, thats been a problem for me. I would think about the problem and then answer it the best way I can, but it seems they want perfection. Freaking crazy of the expectations of just an entry level job.

But again, thanks man!

I had the same problem. I hated technical interviews. Went through alot of interviews too. The best advice i can give you is to KNOW YOUR RESUME and go 3 DEEP on each statement or fact. They won't ask you anything unless it's on your resume. So if you put SQL, you need to be able to explain the basics and maybe give an example of code or something. My last interview they didn't even ask technical questions, all they basically asked is what do you do day-to-day, what projects have you been on. That's it, no bs. If you can talk about what you've done and explain it in a way a 10 year old can learn, you are good. Stay honest fam, if you haven't dealt with it, say you haven't had the opportunity in your current role but would love to learn. They love that. Companies are also big on customer service skills. Keep that in mind.

I have probably over 10+ years in customer service, so thats something I could sell. But the bolded is probably what I'm afraid to say to the interviewer. I don't know why, but I will start to say that. I'm able to express my resume, I think where I get hit is my technical skills, because I've done most of it in college or self study but not consistent enough to say I know it. Thats one of the main culprits that get me.

 

[valdez21]

True indeed man, you're right about really grasping the concept, because the Programming one which I had to query, the interviewer said that I didn't grasp the SQL concept well. But its understandable that I have to go 100% hard on these technical interviews. They ask me book type questions too, I've yet to even take an online test.

But yea I understand now, it's almost like they want to make sure you can do the work before they invest the time and money on you. Well thats definitely something I will work on, at the job that I'm currently at, they really have me working most of the time that its hard to get reading and studying in, I'm looking to get into SQL Server training very soon, hopefully that could help me as well.

Another thing too that I caught what you said is hesitation, thats been a problem for me. I would think about the problem and then answer it the best way I can, but it seems they want perfection. Freaking crazy of the expectations of just an entry level job.

But again, thanks man!

I had the same problem. I hated technical interviews. Went through alot of interviews too. The best advice i can give you is to KNOW YOUR RESUME and go 3 DEEP on each statement or fact. They won't ask you anything unless it's on your resume. So if you put SQL, you need to be able to explain the basics and maybe give an example of code or something. My last interview they didn't even ask technical questions, all they basically asked is what do you do day-to-day, what projects have you been on. That's it, no bs. If you can talk about what you've done and explain it in a way a 10 year old can learn, you are good. Stay honest fam, if you haven't dealt with it, say you haven't had the opportunity in your current role but would love to learn. They love that. Companies are also big on customer service skills. Keep that in mind.

I have probably over 10+ years in customer service, so thats something I could sell. But the bolded is probably what I'm afraid to say to the interviewer. I don't know why, but I will start to say that. I'm able to express my resume, I think where I get hit is my technical skills, because I've done most of it in college or self study but not consistent enough to say I know it. Thats one of the main culprits that get me.

It's okay to doubt yourself. You have to be confident though. On job descriptions, look at the requirements and get on the grind and study it up. Compare your resume to job description. If you understand the fundamentals like King said, no matter what they ask you, you can talk it out and maybe come to a solution. I learned everything through self-study so i know how it is. Practice mock interviews, google sample interview questions for the position you are applying to to have an idea what you may be asked.

 

[valdez21]

Also, this may be common sense but once you have failed those technical interviews, as soon as you get out, write down those questions you had trouble with. Find the answers to them. I cant even recall how many times i've heard the same question or similar on different interviews.

 

[traestar]

Also, this may be common sense but once you have failed those technical interviews, as soon as you get out, write down those questions you had trouble with. Find the answers to them. I cant even recall how many times i've heard the same question or similar on different interviews.

http://it.toolbox.com/wiki/index.php/Interview_Questions_with_Answers_for_Oracle,_DBA,_and_developer_candidates

Oh I have them, recently I haven't checked through them before the interview but I've just had the notion to be honest and say what I know. It figures that they are cheating on their side, which it figures they do have their own set interview questions they looked up, but I've just thought to know it because during the job THEY EXPECT YOU TO KNOW IT.