You’ve decided to get your start in IT and are now wondering, what do I do now? The answer all depends on your background and the level at which you’re starting. I want to make one thing clear, if you are interested in this field, you can work in IT. You do not have to be a tech guru. If you know what a computer is, then you can make it in this field.
Ok, with that out of the way we can begin. I’m going to break this down into two camps. The first is for people who aren’t really tech savvy, but still have an interest in the field. The second camp is for people who are the go-to tech person with family or friends (you can fix/setup things in windows)
Camp 1: The Absolute Beginner
The CompTIA A+, this is where you will want to start. This is the only certification needed to get your foot in the door. To get this certification you have to pass 2 exams. The first one is currently the 220-1001, the second one is the 220-1002. Only after passing both exams will you receive the certification. The A+ covers a lot of information which is why it’s divided into 2 exams, the first half is more hardware-based and the second covers more of the software side.
In short, the study formula is Video Coarse, book (optional), labs(optional), practice test. I recommend going through a video course before anything else and in some cases, this is all you need. After the video course, take some practice tests to gauge what your strengths and weaknesses are. Videos and practice tests are enough most of the time, but I like having a book as a 2nd reference. Labs are also optional but are super helpful if you’re more of a hands-on learner. If you have a full-time job, you can realistically get the A+ in 3-4 months. If you have nothing but time, you can do it in 1-2. We’ll go into more detail about studying in a future post.
As soon as you get the A+, start working on your resume. Indeed/monster/linkedIn/glassdoor/dice, post it everywhere. Now that you’ve gotten this far you can start applying to jobs and studying other topics. In general, this is all you need to know to get started from an absolute beginner perspective. Links to video courses and other resources can be found in the links/resources tab of this site.
Camp 2: Tech Savvy
Assuming you are comfortable with windows 10 troubleshooting and know how to use google to resolve your own tech issues, you can probably start applying to jobs right away. Update your resume and create a section called “Skills” or “Technical Skills” to highlight what you can do. Hardware installs/repairs (building your PC), imaging computers (installing windows), software/app troubleshooting (google till you fix something), these are a few examples of things you can mention. You should also start learning about Active Directory, Basic Networking, Basic Security. There are plenty of free resources that cover these topics “Professor Messer” on YouTube is a great place for networking and security videos. As far as Active Directory goes, I believe the best way is to get your hands on it. Find an Active Directory Course on YouTube or Udemy and set up a home lab.
Along with the technical skills, it’s important to highlight non-technical skills like explaining technical terms to non-technical people, dealing with unhappy customers, multitasking. At the end of the day, IT is customer service, especially when starting out so keep that in mind as you build your resume.
You can get lucky and find a job without the CompTIA A+, but you should be working towards it as long as you are trying to get your first IT role (at least in my eyes). Some places require it even if you do have some technical skills. If you land a job without the A+ and the employer does not require that you get it, then do not go for the A + and start going towards other certifications. The purpose of the A+ is to get that first IT job and nothing else. Nothing will change if you are already on the helpdesk and get your A+ afterwards, utilize your time to pick up new skills that will benefit your career.
Closing thoughts
This last part is for all of you. If you do not already have one, create a Linkedin account. If you already have one, then clean it up and make it pretty. Get a decent headshot on there, start adding IT recruiters in your area and post your IT progress. Post pictures of your passing exam sheet, labs you’ve been working on, and anything else you feel would be beneficial. Recruiters/employers will look at this and, in some cases, it could lead to job offers. After reading this you should have a better idea of your next steps for your IT Jazz.
