Wellll....Ummmm....
You might want to consider lying ...I mean fibbing....I mean safe guarding the truth
Find some Unix sys/net admin work you can do anywhere, at any level, for any price. It is true that most companies are carefull about whom they enlist as their SYSDMIN's, but you dont have to start as a SYSADMIN. I know several network techs that after recieveing there microsoft cert, had difficulty finding the first job. Hell, we all did. They were with with small companies that were poorly staffed and managed. My friends quickly moved through several companies withing two years but gained a lot of experience. They are now doing quite well, and are stable and building a nice track record of accomplishments for their resumes. One friend, after three years, is now an IT director at six figures.
Be careful of the help desks, use them as only a last resort to get inside a company. I have seen too many people stay on help desks for far too long while the technology that they want to embrace passes them bye.
I believe that if you want to do something, get a job that lets you do it. Dont f___ around. Life is to short.
It sounds like you have a lot of enthusiasm and I detect a good attitude, you shouldnt have to much of a problem finding work if you let this come accross during the interview and in your resume.
Try to avoid headhunters. Go to the source. I have never got a job through a head hunter, although my phone rings off the hook when I put my resume on DICE.COM.
If you have a good resume and cover letter, respond to all the companies that post a help wanted ad in the newspaper for people in the Computer/IT industry. All the companies that advertise their need good network people. And yes, being new, and "inexperienced" you will not be paid as well on your first job. You are there to get experience, and the time spent learning on a low paying job is nothing but an investment for the next higher paying gig.
G'Luck
Ivan In not now, when?
If not here, where?
If not us, who?
Just do it!!