Is there any computer jobs out there?

[lovitz]

I'm finding it very difficult to get into the computer profession. Even for a service technician job in a computer store is ridiculously hard to achieve. I have the knowledge in hardware than most so called " technicians " but for some reason it's always these under trained lackys that get the work. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever to me. Maybe because I'm just out of High School. Maybe that has something to do with it. But it makes me furious that these people that get these jobs basically just know " how to install windows " and do not troubleshoot mass hardware faults. GRRRRR

-rant mode off-

[HAL9000]

In my area, I find that it takes some hands on experience combined with a reputation to back it up is the only way to get a job. There are a lot of guys I know with good qualifications, but unfortunately, no reputation, so nobody has heard of them, so nobody wants to hire them. I helped a friend start a business and gained plenty of experience there along with a good reputation. When he started running his biz in a way that I didn't agree with, I bailed out before he took my rep with me. Unfortunately that was several nails in the coffin for him as a large number of clients followed me along with all of the referrals. Can be tough, but hang in there.

[lovitz]

thanks for the re-assurance Hal, it's appreicated.

[jet_rider]

Since you are just out of high school you may want to try volunteer work to help with the hands on side of things. I know giving away knowledge is a painful thing for some people but depending on the organization you do the dead for it will come back on you in real terms. References from organizational members that hold strong community ties go a long long way. The other thing you may want to look at is running you own little business. I have a friend that put himself threw college charging 15$ an hour for service work. The only advertising he did was at a local college and seniors club. Good luck.

[lovitz]

Jet Rider,

I was thinking that....I like the " be my own boss " but running a business is tough, my friend owns his own Pro Audio company and it's tough for him to get gigs because there is someone always cheaper. There isn't too many Lighting and Sound Productions companies here either. There's like 1000x more computer shops, so I'm thinking find customers is like finding a needle in a haystack.

[HAL9000]

This is why the friends business that I helped start, failed. He was way too concerned with being the cheapest in town and beating any quote that was out there. I outright tell my clients in the beginning that no, I'm not the cheapest in town, but I provide high quality parts to build a reliable system. If they want to bring me the competitions quote, fine, I probably still won't beat it, but I'll tell them why and let them decide from there. Trust me on this one, the last thing you want for a customer is the person that walks in wanting everything for the cheapest price. What you want for a customer is the one that knows you will be there for them, cost comes second.

[highrisemech]

You can always put an ad in the paper and make house calls. You can also offer
personal lessons. Charge by the hour. Build a customer base.

[lovitz]

All very interesting.

In your opinions, would it be worth it to perhaps have a e-business selling BTO ( Build To Order ) Pc's such as Dell, or *cough* Alienware?

[Computer Hobbyist]

In your opinions, would it be worth it to perhaps have a e-business selling BTO ( Build To Order ) Pc's such as Dell, or *cough* Alienware?

No. E-business is very, very difficult. Profit margins are very low. I think you would be better off developing a local client base. Dave, the guy who takes care of the computers in my small office, has cultivated a group of businesses that he services around the area. He has gone out of his way to develop relationships with all of the business people involved. If something goes bad, he is the first one called. He doesn't pretend to be the cheapest, but he does work hard to make sure he has a reputation as being among the best in the area. One thing he doesn't do is oversell. He determines what the customer actually needs and tries to sell the correct solution. His customers are very loyal.

Being a young person, you probably know a lot of people who are going to college. Today, they all have computers. Most don't know the first thing about computer repair. They, and their classmates, could provide an instant source of business. You could advertise your work at a local campus or among your friends. You might try landing a job in the computer lab at the campus. College students might not pay as well as the local bank, but someday they will be bankers. You have to plan for the long haul.

CH

[highrisemech]

I have to agree with computer hobbyist,
It's to hard to compete with the mass producers and the profit margin is to low.
But I do see a market for on site computer repair/diagnostics, in my area.
Also I see a market for giving personal lessons in computer usage.
I mean just today I got $20.00 just to clear out the junk in a persons computer,
I also ran scan disk and started defrag for this person, they also want me to return to change out thier modem which I'm ordering. there are a tremendous amout of people out there who need help but hust don't know how to get it.
And these tech support people that work for these companies usually leave them worse off than when they first called, it's a joke. People want personal service from a person they can see and interact with. I mean really even in this forum with people who are familiar with computers have a hard time explaining to each other solutions to the problems. So if your really looking for a position in computers, look for a need and fill it. good luck with your endeavors.

[mbossman2]

Having watched many computer resellers/shops come and go in my time (working for a major computer distributor and now a major network manufacturer), the key to exisitance is not selling hardware but selling a specialized service.

For example, right now the hot topics in the networking/computer field are:
Network Security
VPN
Wireless
Content Delivery (that is a little high end for a lot of folks, but something to work towards)

Gaining knowledge in any of these areas and can definitely help you drive business into your market.

Take security as an example, in the last 3 weeks, over half my calls have been revolving around security, virus and worm protection.

[lovitz]

Well, I thank you all for your replies, this has been more than helpful.

Yeah, I have done computer work for friends, but it's been on a social level ( payment in one case was a 6-pack of Beer )

The more that I do think about it that there is a lot of people out there that do need tech support and maybe housecalls will be the best way to handle that.

mbossman2: My *real* computer goal is to become a network specialist, and i've been told that networking and/or programming has a better outcome than forsay, Computer Hardware. You're right on the money.

[figarowa]

lovitz...only a 6 pack? i try to get a fifth...for any work i do..lol

[lovitz]

heh, I'll have to remember that one for next time.

[highrisemech]

Actually if you were to schedule one repair a day, you would do well.
I know a guy who charges $40.00 just to show up at the door.
Multiply that by 5 by 10 by 15.