If I volunteer as a Network IT position where I'm working for free

[Originalman]

Also OP don't put volunteer on your title in your resume. List a title that someone starting out in that field would do. So if you doing system engineer work mention that you were a system engineer or system engineer intern.

Next get tight with some folks there that you can use for references. Start applying for jobs before your time is up and when you apply ask one of the folks you work with to cosign as your lead or manager when you put down your information on the application.

 

[Originalman]

Also OP the goal is to have one job be a stepping stone for the next job. Once you a professional for a decade or more all them bull shyt jobs get taken off your resume. That's how the game goes.

You know how many educated professionals had bull shyt jobs on their resume that they flipped the title to something important then after they got exp at real jobs they took those previous jobs off their resume.

Trust me breh. I been in the game for years this is how it goes down.

 

[Starburst]

This attitude will actually get you far in life, even though a lot of people will call you a sucker. As for your OG question, you do it for free until you’re ready to demand payment and people are willing to pay you. Essentially it just means you do it for free until you’re competent; that depends on your own ability to learn.

Exactly. I got a paid part time college professor job based on volunteer experience I have. People really underestimate the value in volunteering.

 

[Starburst]

Also OP don't put volunteer on your title in your resume. List a title that someone starting out in that field would do. So if you doing system engineer work mention that you were a system engineer or system engineer intern.

Next get tight with some folks there that you can use for references. Start applying for jobs before your time is up and when you apply ask one of the folks you work with to cosign as your lead or manager when you put down your information on the application.

I disagree, he should absolutely put it on his resume as professional development.

 

[invincible1914]

If you have zero experience, then go for it. It looks better than nothing and you’ll definitely learn something.

I got a job offer off of doing temp work imaging computers. Probably cause I was the only one to show up everyday. I think the op should look into doing temp work.

Volunteer work/experience will probably go over worse than having no experience at all. In most career paths volunteering would be great, but not IT. You're just gonna come off like the guy who helped his grandma setup her computer now he thinks he's an it pro... they hate that guy.

For real, you don't need any experience to get into helpdesk, and it's not like you're going to volunteer and skip that step anyway.

I disagree, he should absolutely put it on his resume as professional development.

Don't put volunteer IT work on your resume. Just because something works in another profession doesn't mean it's universally a good idea.

 

[Starburst]

I got a job offer off of doing temp work imaging computers. Probably cause I was the only one to show up everyday. I think the op should look into doing temp work.

Volunteer work/experience will probably go over worse than having no experience at all. In most career paths volunteering would be great, but not IT. You're just gonna come off like the guy who helped his grandma setup her computer now he thinks he's an it pro... they hate that guy.

For real, you don't need any experience to get into helpdesk, and it's not like you're going to volunteer and skip that step anyway.



Don't put volunteer IT work on your resume. Just because something works in another profession doesn't mean it's universally a good idea.

I disagree. Add voluntary and list accomplishments and skills acquired.

 

[Double Burger With Cheese]

You only put shyt that’s relevant to the job on your resume, and lie if you need to. I swear y’all give the woat professional advice as far as leveling up.

 

[desjardins]

Have a plan / strategy and stick with it
You are getting experience and building a work history, doesn't matter if it's paid or not. Obviously it would be better to be paid but if this is what you need to do then so be it.
I once took a step back (-$15k) and it ended up working out in a years time (+$30k). I had a plan, got experience, and got a cert and i been in the industry ever since. So it's possible

 

[Vaselclean]

Volunteer for about 3 months and start applying for paid positions a month into it. If you're competent enough to last a month, you would last at least a couple extra months anyway, so at least start getting paid.

Do NOT mention that this job was volunteer work or an internship. Just say it was a contract position. If you put that it was an internship or volunteer work, you're inviting the employer to ask more clarifying questions to test your competence.

 

[invincible1914]

You only put shyt that’s relevant to the job on your resume, and lie if you need to. I swear y’all give the woat professional advice as far as leveling up.

I don't understand why people have this need to talk like experts all the time. You can't possibly be serious with putting volunteer work as experience on resume as work experience in IT. I'm not an expert in the hiring process, but I work in the field and I hear the managers talking and I know how they think. It's just not going to come off the way you think it will.

Most work is contract work, so you will end up going up against candidates with stacked resumes full of paid work while your resume is only volunteer work. You won't even get considered unless you're applying for tier 1 entry level helpdesk.

Now an internship is different.

 

[Starburst]

Volunteer for about 3 months and start applying for paid positions a month into it. If you're competent enough to last a month, you would last at least a couple extra months anyway, so at least start getting paid.

Do NOT mention that this job was volunteer work or an internship. Just say it was a contract position. If you put that it was an internship or volunteer work, you're inviting the employer to ask more clarifying questions to test your competence.

You pigeon hole yourself to be asked for a reference if you do it this way.

 

[Leao2005]

nikka if you don’t lie. The fukk smh. That’s the oldest trick in the book right there. They teach you to be honest and don’t lie while they lied to get to they positions. You better fukking finesse these folks. Cancel that internship ASAP. We do not work for free over here pleighboi. fukk a foot in the door. bytch I’ll kick this hoe down.

Step 1: Lie about any certs you know you have the skills for. Literally photoshop your certificate/proof. If you know the shyt and have talking points, they won’t know you lying.

Step 2: Lie about experience. I ain’t in the tech world, but you know the experience you need. So lie. Just make up a whole fake job if you need to. If and when they can’t verify it, photoshop the proof.

Step 3: Eat like a real nikka. fukk working your way up. Most posters gonna tell you the opposite. But most posters scary and broke

I’m pretty sure tech is the one field you shouldn’t lie

 

[Geek Nasty]

I wouldn't work for free, tell them you're willing to work for an intern's salary for a probationary period.

This is a really interesting idea BTW, it's basically how I got into the industry.

 

[L&HH]

You can certainly do this but there’s much easier ways to go about this IMO so long as you don’t mind a little “embellishing”

 

[L&HH]

I’m pretty sure tech is the one field you shouldn’t lie

says who?