finding a job

[hot dog]

hey all...   I'll be looking for a job as an entry level computer repair tech. and I have some questions for anyone is employed in the IT industry that knows about this stuff.

I'm not sure if I should request a certain wage or just take what they want to give me, as an entry level tech.  I understand that being entry-level, I won't be living "on top of the world" or anything like that, but I do not want to "short-change" myself either. 

I've got an AAS degree in Electronics and as you all know by now, recently A+ certified...I've also got about 6 months experience working in the IT industry, from working at my old college, under a work-study program... My duties there were not too difficult, I was basically an assistant to the network administrators on campus...I did varous stuff....a little bit of everything, but nothing too technical, as you can imagine... 

So again, the question is, should I request a certain wage (if so, what should it be-BALL PARK), or take what they want to give me? 

EDIT: now guys, don't make me bump this thread, lets have some answers!
 

[Karnac]

Well, you can look for jobs as a .....

Service Technician
Field PC Tecnician
IT Technician
IT Administrator
ICS Specialist
Computer Technician

All courtesy of the A+ designation according to CompTIA. You should be able to search for your local payscales to give you an idea. Check out the major staff recruiters....Monster, workopolis, etc....and punch in your location
I know from researching my area, A+ Techs on call are offered $30 / hour and a vehicle is required....though you'll never see that kind of money working for someone in a corporate environment.
 

[Aegis]

Being as how the economy is so "robust," you may have to take a job in a company in another position until you can move into I/T.  (Not your first choice, just a possibility.) 

A lot depends on your geographical area, too.

[hot dog]

he** will freeze over before I'll take another position...   

From everything that I've gathered the pay scale for most A+ entry level techs is between 12 and 14 dollars/hr  to start..  But there are so many sources it's so hard to tell which one is more factual and true..


Karnac, $30 bucks and hour seems like a lot for someone just starting....You would have to know your stuff pretty good to be out servicing computers on your own...I'm not sure I'm experienced enough to be able to work without someone smarter helping me out..There's still things I don't know   

I've sort of got this vision of me working somewhere, and if I can't fix something, a smarter tech.  is there to point me in the right direction OR I simply pass the ticket to the smarter tech..

I am in the process of building a resume on monster, however..

[Aegis]

he** will freeze over before I'll take another position...   

You may be in a large enough area to be able to say that, but it's ugly out there -- I'm tellin' ya.  I'm just saying this may be an option down the line.

[BC_Programmer]

he** will freeze over before I'll take another position...   

hahahahahahahaha!

that's a good one.

Look at me. I've released a bloody scripting language.

and yet I work at a tim hortons for 11/hr. Which is actually pretty good pay for that job. Warranted, I'm the only person that can read it would seem, what with people labelling or "Chilli" and "chiken noodel" soups. Aegis would be in *censored* dealing with their bad grammar and spelling... but let's not get me started 

heh, I think I scared JJ away, when he was asking me about starting programming. Pretty flattering when he thought I was a university professor, though.   

[2x3i5x]

monster.com
yahoo hotjobs.yahoo.com

two websites for the job hunter and the sites are pretty extensive too. worth a search and look 

[hot dog]

well, I certainly don't intend to seek other types of employment without a fight

[Computer Hope Admin]

For a entry level position and a new person I'd guesstimate a starting wage of $15-20/hr. You could potentially get more with your qualifications, however, that's what I'd imagine would be a good asking wage.

[hot dog]

thanks Admin.


It's getting close...In the next couple of weeks I'll be shopping  for some interview clothes  , and putting a resume together..Oh yah, and practicing my answer to the question:  "Tell me about yourself"   

Generally I'm caught off gaurd with that, giving an answer sounding something like, "Well, uh, let's see here.....hmmmmmmmmmmmm.....I'm 33 years old, I like electronics, I like skiing  and fishing...and uhhhhhhhh...."
 

you get the idea...

[2x3i5x]

be professional and be interested (at least in appearance if you're not sure if you are going to like the job)

and yeah, don't get caught with the interview bug, it'll make you have the chills later in the same day.... 

[soybean]

Oh yah, and practicing my answer to the question:  "Tell me about yourself"   

Generally I'm caught off gaurd with that, giving an answer sounding something like, "Well, uh, let's see here.....hmmmmmmmmmmmm.....I'm 33 years old, I like electronics, I like skiing  and fishing...and uhhhhhhhh...."

Although that question, taken literally, seems to be asking for your life story, I believe that's usually not what the interviewer wants to hear.  They mainly want to hear you talk about your background, experience, and knowledge as it relates to the job for which you are applying. 

[2x3i5x]

oh yeah, another thing, ask many many good questions so that the interviewer doesn't have the chance to ask you some question that you probably might not have a good answer for. Make him know you are easy going (easy to work with that is) and are really genuinely wanting to know what's going on with the job environment you're probably going to face.

[hot dog]

Ok thanks..

@ soybean, I pretty much figured that's the answer to that question that the interviewer is looking for.........Thanks for confirming that.....Although I haven't answered that question to well in the past....I'll be ready this time, though

[Aegis]

oh yeah, another thing, ask many many good questions so that the interviewer doesn't have the chance to ask you some question that you probably might not have a good answer for.

Yeah, good luck with that.     

Ask good questions, but don't think you're gonna "smoke" most of these people.

General advice says, don't discuss salary on first interview, unless the interviewer specifically brings up the subject.  Even at the end, when they ask you that general, "Do you have any other questions?" you very well may, but don't go to salary.  Second and third interviews are where, generally, salary is discussed.  As far as the application, some say list your salary requirements, others say put in something like "negotiable."  Some will appreciate a dollar range, others will see you pricing yourself right out of the job.

I've had a couple of interviewers discuss salary with me, but they brought it up, and they were very specific about it.  It was nice to hear on the first interview, but that doesn't always happen.

With your credentials, you shouldn't have to settle for work outside your interests. 

Interviews are not an exact science, of course.  You may take a flyer on something, and the interviewer will admire your boldness.  The next interviewer might be offended...you just never know.

You may walk out of a great interview, and hear nothing.  You may think you tank an interview, and that's the one where you'll get your second interview.  Those are extremes, but be prepared for something like that...wondering, why haven't I heard from them.

The really pro companies will at least send you a letter or some form of communication to let you know you didn't get the position.  That's always nice.