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mnemonic69 wrote: What can I do?
Take a look at RentACoder[^], where you may find an opportunity, or try advertising in your local press. I'm not sure what country you are in, but your age is probably against you for mainstream employment, as most companies would expect someone of your age to have 5-10 years experience at least.
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Hi,
I'll look at rentacoder, I'm in the UK and I do have at least 5 years experience (unfortunately it isn't commercial). The training college I studied with (Computeach) had the attitude that 'you are never too old' to become a computer programmer and they have actually placed people of all ages, from all walks of life in programming jobs!
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mnemonic69 wrote: I do have at least 5 years experience (unfortunately it isn't commercial).
So what is it relevant to? That may be the path you should be considering.
mnemonic69 wrote: The training college I studied with (Computeach) had the attitude that 'you are never too old' to become a computer programmer
Actually I think their attitude is "you are never too old to pay us a lot of money for something you could get free elsewhere". You can learn programming by reading books and studying tutorials here on CP and other sites. If you have the ability to become a half-decent programmer you should then be just as marketable as anyone who comes out of one of these establishments.
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Its 'relevent' to my spending many hours learning C# and learning the difficult programming exercises (desktop type appliations) that I did on my course and doing the same kind of programming and design tasks as an every day commercial programmer.
I do share some of your cynicism regarding I.T training colleges, but the fact remains I forked out a lot of money (nearly £4000) due to my determination and enthusiam to become Microsoft certified, but more than that to become a commercial programmer!
I believe I am marketable,just need to get a few more MCP's and dig away some more with my C.V.
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mnemonic69 wrote: Its 'relevent' to my spending many hours learning C# and learning the difficult programming exercises (desktop type appliations) that I did on my course and doing the same kind of programming and design tasks as an every day commercial programmer.
Unfortunately employers are generally unimpressed by this as they do not see it as 'real world' work.
mnemonic69 wrote: I believe I am marketable,just need to get a few more MCP's and dig away some more with my C.V.
I'm not sure how much MCPs impress potential employers, the only way of telling is to read the job ads and talk to agents.
I have every sympathy with your search having been in the same position once or twice in my own life. Good luck!
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mnemonic69 wrote: just need to get a few more MCP's and dig away some more with my C.V.
Yet you have already stated the some think you are over qualified. I doubt MORE qualifications are going to make to more marketable. You now need experience, getting that is one of the most difficult tasks around.
I'm very much a winforms professional and have decades of experience but I have very limited web experience. I am currently doing a web site for a friend, finding the friend who has a valid requirement and is willing to put in the time was not easy. Out of it I expect to get a reference web site that I can point to! I consider that 100% more valuable that qualifications.
Besides most of us look on qualifications and no experience with great trepidation, not having real world experience mixed with a load of qualifications generally makes the dev a complete PITA.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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Many job advertised for ASP.NET developer require graduates! Which is precisely why I have enrolled on a computer degree course, starting this September!
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Write a web browser that actually works, sell it cheaply, and retire to Costa Rica at 42.
Seriously, you picked a lousy time to break into a new field, and that's probably more the reason for your lack of success than anything. When people with graduate degrees are happy to find work flipping burgers, a beginner doesn't stand much of a chance. Keep studying, and keep trying; this won't last forever.
In the meantime, I'd suggest creating a portfolio of websites for fictitious companies, displaying different styles, layouts, and functionality, then host them on an inexpensive but professional webhosting provider. Do some checkout carts, membership only features, fancy search stuff - anything that will demonstrate how versatile and competent you are. When you submit an application, include links to your demo sites so that potential employers can see for themselves what great things you can bring to them. I think that might well give you an edge over the competition.
Good luck! I know what it's like to be unemployed for long periods. I spent 12 long years working for minimum wage and few, if any, benefits before I found my current job. And it's by far the best job I've ever had. 
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
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I've now enrolled on an HNC/D in computing starting September in my efforts to get a job as a web developer. The HNC, (which will include ASP.NET in Visual Basic - should be interesting as I am fluent in C#) is part-time which is a bonus as you can still sign-on and get L.E.A funding!.
I'm no good at creating a portfolio, which is one reason, I've decided to do a degree as I do like studying and I am determined to become a web developer!
When I did my MCAD in 2005, I was falsely given the impression that this accredidation would more than likely get me a sofware development job.
This was 'Computeach' and I parted with near to £4000 for the priviledge.
Don't be taken in by these I.T training providers!
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"A 'Microsoft Certified Professional' accreditation is recognised throughout the I.T industry as evidence of a professional who has hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge."
That is Microsofts' own marketing blurb, - its own admission that I am a professional with hands-on experience.
Beginners, beware, this is highly inaccurate sales patter, obviously designed to make you think that if you have one or two MCP's, you can walk into a junior developer role!
I would be interested to hear Microsoft's response that many junior roles here in the UK require graduates, (ie a BSc in computer science)
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Hi Everyone
I am an MCP with the 70-315 and 70-316 under my belt.
I am currently studying towards 70-536 and 70-562 to get up to speed with ASP.NET 3.5. I've studied an MCAD with Computeach in 2005-2008 and I understand HTML, AJAX, CSS and so on.
I've had a few interviews but can't get commercial experience because of lack of commercial experience.
There are also no I.T developer apprenticships for someone of 40. I tried the volunteer route for website design, but they never get back to me and think I'm overqualified.
What can I do?
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I have some funds for training and learning purposes only.
From my perspective online training seem like logical solution for someone who has busy daily routine, but I don't have any experience with such form of education.
There are some Microsoft's programs and vast choice of other companies offering similar services, can you give me any advice or recension?
Innerworkings (http://www.innerworkings.com/) seems like a sound choice, but they do not offer SQL Server training.
Do you have suggestions?
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Hi All,
I want to order a self-paced training kit from Microsoft,
to teach myself using .NET and write some c# code.
The exams which are currently available for becoming MCPD
are 70-536, 70-528, 70-547. These exams are currently
updated to the .NET 3.5 Framework, but I can't find any
study material to prepare myself?
Does anybody know which study material helps best, to prepare
for the exams mentioned above?
Thanks,
Ingmar
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This does not bode well. I just Googled MCPD and there are lots of suggestions.
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1. self paced kits are not for complete beginners, learn some C# and .net basics before ordering any certification materiel.
2. Exam 70-536 hasn't changed, and there is a plenty of booksellers who offer that book.
I passed 70-505 (Win based apps) with learning for older exam (.net 2.0) with some extra learning for specific .net 3.5 features (linq and syntax changes).
If I were you I would go for newest certification, those you have mentioned are for .net 2.0.
3. As someone already mentioned, google it.
4. When you are familiar enough with .net you can start searching for many brain dumps with exams, but that is not good way to truly learn .net, it will just help you to learn correct answers like a parrot.
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hi
any one can help me in selecting my project . i have selected two domains
--------- human and computer interaction
--------- image processing
plz tell me latest work done in these two feilds.
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When should you look for change?
what is the right time,?
what factors do u consider most?
Ravie Busie
Coding is my birth-right and bugs are part of feature my code has!
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Ravi Sant wrote: When should you look for change?
Just after you buy something!
Ravi Sant wrote: what is the right time,?
13:31
Ravi Sant wrote: what factors do u consider most?
My happiness and comfort
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Hi
I want to write a good CV.
Could you help me?
Thanks
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A good CV is a highly subjective item - of course, what helps is having good experience. Do you have that?
"WPF has many lovers. It's a veritable porn star!" - Josh Smith As Braveheart once said, "You can take our freedom but you'll never take our Hobnobs!" - Martin Hughes.
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Onyx
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I'm looking for a CV's standard format.
I was wondering if you introduce suitable resources.
BG
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Templates can be found here[^]. Advice can be found here[^].
My apologies for the generic answer; the question is too broad to give specific advice. Perhaps it's easier to write a resume first, and then post a link here.
Good luck 
I are troll
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One thing that a recruiter told me a month ago is that he like chronological resumes so that he can tell how long ago you did what technology and what you worked on in each place.
Steve Maier
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I have two MCP's and studying my third. I started working with Visual Studio and the .NET framework in 2005.
I have been out of work since March. I wondered if anyone else is feeling the pinch of the recession and if so whether they have found mass uncontrolled immigration to be a factor? I recently discovered that 71% of jobs in the UK over the past 10 years have gone to those not born here!
Has anyone found getting a job here impossible due to the Indian IT industry taking UK jobs? and if so, what advice could you give?
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Can anyone here offer any advice, having successfully moved from developing windows apps to web development?
I know it's an old question, but technologies change.
I'm currently using C++ MFC / C# win forms for a thick client app.
There's nothing similar locally only web jobs, so I'd be in trouble if this company went under.
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