can someone give a rough approximation of what tech-related employers mean when they want someone w/ "strong" Linux experience?

i've installed linux on my own before (gentoo and ubuntu), installed both KDE and Gnome, know how to use the terminal, done both office-related work in OpenOffice and coding in Eclipse, installed Apache/PHP/MySQL and got them running, etc. but other than installing apps or making/removing directories or files, that's pretty much all I can think of doing with teh Linux OS itself. i mean, it's an OS -- all my works is done in the applications that run off the OS

this past week i've had a couple coding-related jobs i've been suggested for, but this whole "strong Linux experience" thing has me apprehensive (especially when most of my paid work experience has been an entirely different industry). any ideas from CSC grads or anyone else w/ a tech job would be appreciated.

[Edited on February 9, 2007 at 3:40 PM. Reason : ---]

2/9/2007 3:38:45 PM

can you recompile a kernel?

2/9/2007 3:41:45 PM

can you find, compile, install, and configure mod_jk from source? despite the available documentation?

2/9/2007 3:47:07 PM

i keep seeing local ads for "Deep Linux Experience" (at Microsoft in Redmond, of all places! ) ... where they specifically say they want someone with proven development experience, and that "hobbyists" will not be considered. so that counts me out.

but i dunno what your situation entails. the ad youre looking at doesnt sound so hardcore. I'd say play up your linux exp and throw a resume at it. never hurts to try

2/9/2007 4:41:43 PM

...so you're telling him to embellish his resume to get a job that he might not be qualified for?

2/9/2007 4:49:19 PM

no. i didnt say "embellish"

i said "play it up"

2/9/2007 5:22:24 PM

I'm not sure about configuring mod_jk b/c i've never used it before, but if it's like other Apache modules then I think I could find, compile and install it.

As for a kernel recompile, I'd have to say no. idk if I could actually do it or not, I've just never had the need. I'd guess you build a bzImage, cp it to an appropriate directory, make some changes to the LILO config and reboot? ::shrug::

Quote :

"joe_schmoe: but i dunno what your situation entails. the ad youre looking at doesnt sound so hardcore. I'd say play up your linux exp and throw a resume at it. never hurts to try"

That's probably what I'll end up doing, at least to figure out what exactly they need first and then admit if it's over my head

2/9/2007 5:48:59 PM

yeah. I'd be careful how much you "play up". If you're just a hobbyist then you might get embarrassed in the interview.

2/9/2007 5:58:02 PM

if he's got a decent foundation in linux, he can apply for a development job that wants solid linux skills and not be embarrassed.

(unless it comes right out and and says you gotta have experience with a specific set of tools that he doesnt have, of course)

and by play it up, I mean to feature it prominently. emphasize. the whole purpose of a resume is to market yourself.

theres nothing embarrassing about trying to get the job you want. .... besides, if they're really looking for a linux guru to come in and kick ass, and he's not that guy... they'll just not call him in for an interview.



[Edited on February 9, 2007 at 7:21 PM. Reason : ]

2/9/2007 7:16:45 PM

Quote :

"can you find, compile, install, and configure mod_jk from source? despite the available documentation?"

documentation...is that what you call that?

2/9/2007 8:44:22 PM

Do you know anything else about the job? In my experience, though limited, "strong" experience to an interviewer depends on what you'll be doing. In an old job they wanted someone with "strong" linux skills because the workstations we used had standardized linux client on them. In that case "strong" didn't mean that we needed to know how to compile a kernel, but it did mean that we had to know our way around so we could do our job.

When I was interviewed for my previous job, I was asked to rate myself on a scale of 1 to 5 on sevral things as we discussed my experience. I was honest and gave some 5's, mostly 4s, and maybe even a 3. After I had been working for a while, I was talking to the team lead about the interview process because I was supposed sit in on some with him. He proceeded to tell me that I was lucky to get hired, but he was glad they went with me. He then proceeded to tell me that if, in the future, I was asked to rate myself on a scale of 1 to 5, say 5, you either know it or you don't. Not sure how much its worth, but my two cents is to find out as much about what you'll be doing as you can, and if your experience will allow you to do your job, than sell yourself like you're Bill Gates. If not, tell the truth, learn what you can from the interview process and move on.

[Edited on February 9, 2007 at 9:37 PM. Reason : .]

2/9/2007 9:35:17 PM

Do you write scripts? That's hot.

2/10/2007 12:17:33 AM

i just noticed, the word "preferred" in the title.

if thats in the job ad, then you got nothing to worry about. it means they're flexible. so their use of the word "strong" is probably also somewhat amorphous.

play it up. go at it like you're their man. selling yourself to an employer means focusing on your skill set and how it matches the position. you can do that without lying or embellishing, no matter what graniteballs thinks.

2/10/2007 12:34:32 AM

I work with a lot of guys that sold up their Linux skills and they're always asking me stupid questions

2/10/2007 8:20:39 AM

It REALLY depends on the job responsibilities and duties. To some, being able to install programs and secure your OS is sufficient for "Strong" experience ... others want you to know every distro inside out, including how to compile from the source cds. Don't overplay it during the interview, but don't come out sounding weak either if you know what you are doing.

2/10/2007 12:38:17 PM

In my limited experiance as an interviewer, if it's an interview for a coding job, I would consider a STRONG linux experienced candidate to possess:
- Very good knowledge of Linux OS internals (yes, threads, locks, memory management, etc.)
- Very skillfull in working around the OS for day to day coding activities: (knowledge of an editor like vi, using source control like perforce, writing scripts in shell, knowledge of makefiles, tags etc.)
- Configuring / installing Linux etc. would be a plus, but not mandatory.

In any case, you should apply and you will know what to expect in your very first interview.

2/10/2007 3:21:58 PM

Apply, you should be able to figure out what they mean during the phone screen.

2/11/2007 9:43:31 AM

Update -- interview went well, #2 on Nox104's list basically hit what they were looking for by the "strong Linux experience preferred" comment. I admitted I probably wasn't sufficiently-qualified for the position though, b/c some of what they wanted programming-wise wasn't included in the posted job description and had stuff I've never learned or touched

It was a fun experience though, not nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be. Much love to y'all for the tips and comments.

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Quote :

"Metricula: Do you write scripts? That's hot."

not as hot as a girl in a Tech Talk thread  

2/28/2007 3:46:01 PM