How to land your FIRST IT Help Desk Job (step-by-step guide)

Hello there! In this video, I explain how YOU can get into your FIRST IT Help Desk job! Here are some key points:
• What 3 criteria do employers take a look at?
• How I apply to jobs using Indeed
• Why you shouldn't lie on your resume
• The most common behavioral interviewer question
• What is the STAR method?
• My resume explained
Thanks for watching!

[@froedge]

Yeah I think you're spot on here. I am just now recently switching fields into IT, and getting interviews was challenging at first. Then I finally got my A+, started working on my CCNA, which now basically auto-lands me an interview so long as I'm not applying for something I'm not qualified for. From there I've learned even if your interview skills are extremely good (I assess mine are pretty good) ultimately whether you get the offer or not is going to depend on your competition. Experience in this field will always win like 100% of the time, and even the employers I've spoken to have said IT is very hard to get into, but once you're in, you're in. Anywho, you did a great job of explaining this, earned my sub!

[@kevintemido]

What did you do to prepare/study for the A+

[@ngo2go]

Thank you for watching my video! I can 100% agree with that - experience triumphs over everything. The more certifications you get, the more interviews you can land which increases your chances of getting the job you really want.

[@froedge]

@@kevintemido ProfessorMesser for both Core 1 and Core 2. Dion Practice Exams for Core 1 (meh) and Messer Exams for Core 2 (good). Took 5 weeks total to get A+ certified from scratch.

[@kevintemido]

@@froedge did you watch all of prof Mas videos?

[@froedge]

@@kevintemido For each core this is what I did. I watch all his videos 1x through, which would take a week. I'd watch it through a 2nd time at 1.5x speed and either take notes, or for core 2 i just bought his notes because its easier / better. Then i take practice tests until i feel im ready which took about a week. then the real exam. hope that helps

[@rehansiddique1875]

I've worked as a Digital marketer for more than 5 year's. Now I've decided to switch my career into IT, being a Computer science graduate. I'm currently watching many KZbin video's and also planning to do certifications. Thanks for making such a wonderful video.

[@ngo2go]

Thank you so much for watching. I wish you the best on your IT career journey!

[@manalili_p2900]

Looking for my first IT role, thanks for this kinda content! Looking forward to more good things you create!

[@ngo2go]

You bet! I'll be putting out more content like this so stay tuned! Good luck on your first IT job, once you get your foot in the door, you're golden :)

[@victorokolo3346]

2 questions First of all if I have a computer engineering degree Do I still need certs ? And secondly how likely are you to get a help desk job from a different county?

[@ngo2go]

You don’t technically need certs. But they do make your resume look better which increases your chance of getting interviews. I can’t vouch for getting help desk jobs from other countries since I have 0 experience with that. But I would assume its the same process

[@kevintemido]

I was a field service technician working with POS. Now I’m on the help desk side

[@ngo2go]

Awesome! You're on the right path, check out my other video if you're interested in becoming a cloud support associate!

[@rafaelvargas4113]

I’ve worked as a life guard and worked on ships in NYC I really want to get into IT tho and I like helping people I just got barely any technical skills I have more mechanical skills like learning about engines on ships or cars or stuff on how boats work which to me it’s fun, but I want to break into tech and I got nothing to do that I’m just saving for my comptia honestly and I wanted to maybe redo my resume to be more technical but I don’t like to lie either if I’m not fully knowledgeable in tech. I’ve only been applying like you mention man and hopefully someone gives me a shot before I get my comptia working on ships and dealing with unhappy passengers professionally I feel like I have amazing customer service at least I’m praying for a chance.

[@ngo2go]

You 100% can get into the tech industry! With your customer service skills and willingness to learn, I am positive that you'll get that chance to land an IT job! The more you apply to, the higher the chance you get into interviews. More interviews = higher chance of getting hired. KZbin is your best friend, you can learn everything you need to know about CompTia certs as long as you put in the time to study. You got this!

[@LushModz]

Thank you!

[@ngo2go]

You bet!

[@TurkMovement]

Ive got my CCNA but cant even land help desk, I assume its due to lack of experience. Is it worth getting my A+ even though its an easier certificate to get than the CCNA

[@ngo2go]

I totally get it. I mentioned this in my other comments, but if you are getting interviews but no hire, then I work try working on your soft skills/interviewing skill. But if you're not getting interviews at all, then your resume needs to update. The CCNA should automatically get you interviews, but an A+ certification can't hurt to get as well.

[@mrhobo4866]

Quick question how old are you? Also is it required to get the Cisco cert? Or is the A+ cert enough to get interviews. I am 16 and i feel interested in data, i want to be a help desk and later transfer towards a data analyst role

[@ngo2go]

Sliiightly older than the age where you can legally drink! But I would say that the Cisco CCNA makes you super desirable, employers would prefer cisco > A+. For your case, I would go with the A+ if you're not trying to be in the networking field.

[@rehansiddique1875]

Mine intentions are same bro. Wanting to get a job as a IT help desk support and then later on as a Data analyst. Good Luck 👍. We'r on the same boat

[@81quiroz]

I have my pc pro test out certificate but still no hire

[@ngo2go]

Try to tailor your resume for the jobs that you are applying for. If you are getting interviews but no hire, then I work try working on your soft skills. But if you're not getting interviews at all, then your resume needs to be changed.

[@marceloarnez1491]

Did you get AWS Cloud Practitioner before the AWS role or during?

[@ngo2go]

I got the certification prior to the AWS role, all from my university - WGU!

[@evil-resident]

@@ngo2goah wgu 🥲

[@ngo2go]

You don't need to go to WGU for certifications, self-studying is 100% possible

[@fx1337w]

Step by step from zero experience to landing a job.. what certs where to get them cost of them?

[@ngo2go]

There are multiple certs that I mentioned in my video, they can range from 100-300$ per cert.

[@str2192]

Hi Ngo, your speech is very impressive. I am a middle aged guy who wants to switch my career from telecommunication to IT. Which certificate you recommend after get a A+? ccna or network+?

[@ngo2go]

Thank you so much @str2192! I would recommend getting the A+ since that is how you can get your foot in the door in the IT industry. After your first IT Helpdesk Job, you can branch out to Sys Admin or NetAdmin or Security Admin or go into the Cloud!

[@str2192]

@@ngo2go thanks Ngo

[@jaymeez]

It’s hard to get a job at the Helpdesk? I heard Help Desk jobs are super easy to get even with zero job knowledge as long as you have good customer service skills. It’s a entry level job and pays entry level so it’s just a starting point

[@ngo2go]

It really depends on the company. Some may train you even with 0 experience, but some require either certifications or experience or education to get in. Customer service skills are a definite plus, but in my experience I got grilled on every interview for all the IT help desk positions with 0 experience so I would say it definitely is not easy. That's just me though!

[@rafaelvargas4113]

I’m from NYC I got no experience I want to save up to get my comptia A+ but it could take a while so I’m just applying to see if anyone could just give me a chance. My resume just sucks cause it’s not related to IT at all I’ve done life guarding and worked on ships In my life I just have tons of Customer service. Praying I get a chance honestly.

[@thatotladi4271]

Help desk easy ? Where so I can relocate lol , right here having 1 year experience (tech support intern) + 3 years Presales, after having hard time getting pre-sales roles I decided to switch to technical jobs by starting afresh with help desk, after many applications still no interview now I have up on tech support, trying other fields

[@thatotladi4271]

Maybe they want A+, once did N+ expired so weird , now just learning data and coding

[@ngo2go]

There isn't really a specific location to move to... I would check your local area to see if any IT support technician or help desk roles are available and then go from there. If you aren't getting any response after applying to many jobs, it probably is your resume that you may need to edit.