how to get a job as a computer engineer

[lab1986]

hi people
im currently on the verge of getting my comptia a+ certificate and i notice that most jobs ask for experience.When i get my comptia certificate my plan is 2 phone office/IT companys and ask if i can work for 3months non paid 2 get a reference and experience behind my back.Is this a good idea?this is the only route i can think of 2 getting into the business.
Surely finding a place to work for free should be no problem atleast i hope,does any one know of any companys that i should phone when i get my certificate?if you beleive there is a better way of getting in the trade please let me know cheers x

[beso]

Unpaid employees can be a problem for companies because of insurance. Look for a job as an assistant to an IT admin in a small company.

I got a job like this in a small financial instution. These are excellent learning places because they use a great variety of systems not just Microsoft which your course probably focussed on.

Gaining experience is crucial. You would probably be out of your depth in most situations you imagine might be the right job for you. Real world computer jobs are more about solving undocumented problems (how it doesn't work) rather than the "how it works" nature of training courses.

[VHG]

Why not offer computer support to local charities?

Most local charities use a lot of computers but have little skills in buying them, upgrading them or fixing them.

This will give you some experience, but also may get you noticed by local companies.

Also you could offer support to friends and neighbours, maybe even set yourself up as a small computer support company.

Like beso, I doubt if any company would let you work for them for nothing (and you certainly should not offer this "up front).

[ChuckFickens]

Where abouts in the country are you?

[ACtheTROLL]

agree all 3

Until recently I taught and examined a+ ... and to be honest it's an qualification ... not training.

Microsoft's implementing ... xp, vista or whichever takes you through a specific O/s in some detail

if you look at the prereq of A+ it's 3 - 6 months working with an experienced engineer ...
A+ (as you'll know) is mainly theory .... specs and speeds of components, general principles.
(I love the laser ... expect 3 or 4 questions on printing).

VHG's idea is brill ... a bit of charity work won't go amiss (on a couple of levels)... but you aren't going to see large scale networking

have you looked at PC world, the geek squad etc ... they tend to have a fair turnover of staff ... it's mainly home kit ... but it's a toe hold

and there is always the ad in the local paper ploy ...

[lab1986]

thanks for your answers,please keep them coming,im from leicester chuckfickens