Dear Mr. Tory Johnson,

I recently became A+ certified by self-study and I also got my Bachelor of Engineering degree at UIC at Chicago and later got my Master of Engineering degree at UIC at Chicago

I was recently laidoff at a contract IT company in downtown Chicago. I was supposed to work work 6-8 mo, but I really worked for 2.5 mo as a refresh tech (data migration with troubleshooting)

I tried linkedin.com, but there was no support nor further communication from anyone.

I have no friends to talk live, no relatives, no neighbors, no clubs/organizations.

My folks are retired & knows no one in IT.

I am afraid to try myspace & facebook because someone can post an inaccurate picture or say something inappropriately like my former co-workers at MicroCenter or movie theatre just for fun
- bottom line I am currently looking for more hands-on work experience as a PC repair tech/PC installer/network admin/PC help desk & I know that employers are constantly scanning myspace & facebook for anything inappropriate & would immediately dismiss the potential candidate for a job opening position.

I did try to apply at indeed.com & got a very brief phone interview for an open position as entry-level PC installer which I accept, but I am worried that I am up against several other IT candidates who probably has more work experience than I do.
I did send a thank you memo immediately after the brief phone call.


also I am not going back to any school, I have no money left & I would end up wasting my time.
I would self-study in my spare time.

I even tried careerbuilder.com & craigslist & ccjobnet & alumnicentral for any IT job posting - NONE

Can you give me the best recommend tips/advice/suggestions of what to do & how can I get my foot in the door to gain more hands-on work experience?

also do you know someone you best recommend in IT/PC repair tech that I can make contact for support/chat/job opening?

Tory,

I work as a part-time recruiter for a financial firm in the Boston area.  As every morning, I watched/listened to GMA while getting ready for work this morning and thought how we are always looking for good people with college degrees in the MA, RI and NH area who want to get a start in the financial industry but who do not want to make all the "cold calls" one usually associates with the financial advising industry.  How would we get on your list to let people know of our openings or how are employers alerted to your job fairs in the future? 

(By the way, I was a stay-at-home mom for 25 years after being a top female executive and having a diverse work background in sales and marketing.  At home raising 3 children, I volunteered my time to create, host and produce 2 weekly radio shows for moms, Mother-to-Mother, on parenting issues (also had a short-lived cable TV show before kids) and wrote a best-selling parenting book in calendar form, Mother's Moments (sold 100,000 copies).  Now as a new empty nester, my passion is speaking to women's groups with encouragement and hands-on ideas and to help my family financially, I also recruit, and dusted off old resumes of acting and modeling.  If I can help in anyway with your efforts, from any angle, please let me know!)

Keep up the great service, encouragement and providing hope to so many!

I can't imagine waking up each morning without GMA! 

Stmartinelli

PS

from Babylon 5 - all alone in the middle of the night.

Hi Tory:

         Personal circumstances are prohibiting me from working in my profession (RPh) for the forseeable future. How do I get prospective employers outside of my profession to understand my interest in the posted job (regardless of degree of qualification or experience), even though my resume shows over 20 years experience in my profession? My searches primarily pertain to jobs I have had at least some experience and/or education.

I empathize with  your experiences with employers wanting "specific experience" or will not consider you because you are "overeducated." I truly believe many employers are overlooking many valuable candidates due to their myopia. I would want someone who is overeducated vs one which is undereducated. Lack of specific experience should not be a disqualification for a position. People are flexible and adaptable (more so recently out of necessity), and, in most instances with minimal training, can become a valuable asset. Oftentimes life experiences are equally important qualifications for nearly any job. Employers, expand your horizons! :)

Good afternoon Tory and staff: I am a disabled man in my early 50's with a high energy level and I have been looking on my own it seems for ever. I tend to pick up a few short term jobs mostly in customer service and at on time work helping FEMA victims get benefits from Uncle Sam. I hold a BA in Public Administration but I always get the letter saying they found someone more qualfied? please come to Western Mass /Hartford,CT  region .