Just got a call from a head hunter that I've been talking to and she informed me I have an interview with a software design company on Thursday. It is for a direct hire, meaning I will be an employee of the company and NOT the headhunter's company. I'll keep the company to myself for now but *IF* I get the job I will share the name.

I feel like I might be slightly under qualified so if anyone has tips/refreshers I would appreciate the advice.

It's for a Systems Admin job using Unix and Linux(still trying to find out the Linux they are running)
I have worked as a Jr. SA and have used linux on home PCs for a few years now

job description she sent me

Quote :

"We are seeking a Systems Administrator with 5 years professional experience in System administration. Assists in the installation and maintenance of the company's server infrastructure systems by installing and patching operating systems and application software according to established guidelines. Correct hardware/software failures by working with appropriate vendors and site contacts during and outside business hours as necessary. Builds and installs server hardware according to architectural standards. Performs own work and provides assistance to others as directed. Ability to maintain and deploy customer Proprietary packages Using scripts."

I have 5 years experience doing break/fix on Unix/Solaris/Linux/various windows servers
I know my way around PERL and bash scripting, not enough to write something from scratch but well enough to edit an existing script to change the function/behavior of it and know some of the basic syntax.

Its been a while since I interviewed for a new job and I bombed my last one. It was mostly network based and that is a weakness of mine, once you get past ho,e networking and some basic IP/DNS issues.


Can anyone please refresh me on what to expect/study up on?

3/4/2008 1:08:14 PM

Quote :

" Ability to maintain and deploy customer Proprietary packages Using scripts.""

My guess would be windows scripting.

3/4/2008 1:34:03 PM

she said they only use Unix and Linux

3/4/2008 1:36:35 PM

any scripting language should do.

bash/Perl/Python/Ruby

pick your strongest and review it. tell them you've been working with that one pretty much exclusively but you could easily apply your scripting to another language if needed.

you should know the basics of bash if youre in a *nix environment.

sounds like your kind of thin on their experience. when they say 5+ years exp, they want someone who can sit down and get busy with minimal "learning" time.

your best bet is to turn the interview around and get the interviewer talking about themselves



[Edited on March 4, 2008 at 1:39 PM. Reason : ]

3/4/2008 1:37:36 PM

Quote :

" your best bet is to turn the interview around and get the interviewer talking about themselves "

an excellent tactic.

3/4/2008 1:42:51 PM

Good advice. I've been reading about them from their website and trying to get some conversational bits to sidetrack them some lol


I'll freely admit I am a bit under experienced from the stand point of walking in the office Monday morning and working without supervision within a few days. but I also know that I have a wide experience path and could be up and running in a few weeks, once I get the layout of the company and get settled in. I figure any new hire needs a few days/weeks to get established with a new company no matter what their experience level is.

3/4/2008 3:02:04 PM

know perl inside and out. if you're doing unix sysadmin work, perl is your friend. you can do ANYTHING sysadmin-related with perl. and, if you're doing something to more than one machine, it's ALWAYS worth it to write a script that does it for you - you'll probably have to do it again sometime.

i'm the go-to guy for custom scripting at my job (i'm also a sysadmin) and it's paid off SO many times - boss loves me for it.

i just finished writing a script (on windows though) that fixes any problems whatsoever with any internet explorer installation on any version of windows.

3/4/2008 3:08:28 PM

I'm gonna need a copy of that

3/4/2008 4:33:36 PM

Quote :

"that fixes any problems whatsoever "

bottle that shit up and sell it, hoss.

3/4/2008 5:00:02 PM

^^^ I'm gonna need a copy of that

3/4/2008 5:02:46 PM

yeah i'd like a copy of this mystical script that fixes any problems whatsoever - kind of makes you wonder why MS didn't just include something like that in their setup.exe haha

[Edited on March 4, 2008 at 5:05 PM. Reason : this thread derailed quickly ]

3/4/2008 5:04:19 PM

Quote :

"i just finished writing a script (on windows though) that fixes any problems whatsoever with any internet explorer installation on any version of windows. "

does it uninstall IE and install firefox?

disclaimer: i'm not bashing IE as much as i'm not going to buy that a script written now will fix any unknown problems that may show up in the future.

3/4/2008 5:04:24 PM

sweet... hellz yea hook a brotha up.. I'd LOVE to roll up in my interview with a "magic software fixer" wand.

3/4/2008 5:21:34 PM

Ok so it looks like I got the job. I did really well in the interview and met with their lead programmer today. He said he would recommend me for the job to the big boss. So once he gives his approval it'll be official! I can't wait to start, it sounds like a great company to work for.

3/14/2008 8:13:52 PM

you showed him evan's magical script and told him you wrote it didn't you!

3/14/2008 8:59:32 PM

judging by how their network/servers are currently set up. I could use evans magic script. lol

3/14/2008 9:28:04 PM

I want magic... period.

On another note with my magical ninja hijacking powers. My employer is looking for an IT guy. Easy low stressed job and really all that's required is basic computer knowledge and logic.

http://suntechmed.com/about.php?page=careers#j3

[Edited on March 15, 2008 at 12:48 AM. Reason : forgot link]

3/15/2008 12:47:33 AM

hellz yea!! Got the job and I start on Monday!

3/19/2008 10:59:30 AM

so what company?

3/19/2008 11:20:44 AM

Icarus Studios

3/19/2008 6:30:40 PM

i'm just checking this thread for evan's script

3/19/2008 6:38:28 PM

yea... I needs that shit by monday morning evan... I gotta make a AWESOME first impression on my first day

3/19/2008 6:49:29 PM

if evan doesn't come through, i have a script that downloads porn you could borrow. i know it's not a fixes-any-problems-whatsoever script, but hey they probably won't be able to tell the difference, as long as you have some kind of script that's prolly good enough, amirite?

3/19/2008 7:55:54 PM

youre right

3/19/2008 8:02:15 PM

^^

Just needs to send code flying down my screen so I can "look" busy.


I do love my job, lots of work but its the kind of work I have been looking for. Any of you C++ guys looking a job, Ive been told they are hiring a C++ guy... I mean. .Only if you want to work on a video game as your job...

4/12/2008 5:47:41 AM

i did very rudimentary C++ programming in high school 8 years ago, i'm a shoe-in for this position!

4/12/2008 8:18:35 AM

If they hire their C++ guys like the do their Linux Admins, as long as you know how to spell C++ you're a good fit. lol

4/12/2008 9:44:28 AM

Manhole covers are round because they have constant diameter, and can't possibly fall into the hole they're covering.

4/12/2008 10:45:03 AM

no no

manhole covers are round because manholes are round

durrr

4/12/2008 10:51:16 AM

which extends to show that manholes themselves are round because they have constant diameter, and can't possibly allow their covers to fall into the hole.

how does this all related to ncsuapex's job?

4/12/2008 11:17:13 AM

linux admin + video game design studio...

unless you're just admin'ing the dev environment, you may be doomed sir!

4/12/2008 11:20:41 AM

im proud of you for relying on your knowledge and not sexual favors (which in and of itself relates to manholes...that started as just a unrelated joke, but then i realized the hilarious pun).

4/12/2008 11:31:38 AM

Quote :

"linux admin + video game design studio... unless you're just admin'ing the dev environment, you may be doomed sir!"

well consdering they have 100 or so servers and 90% are running some version of Linux.. AND the servers the games are running on will be Linux.. Im PRETTY sure.. I'll have plenty to do.

4/12/2008 1:16:26 PM

I charge you with the task on loading F@H on each and every one of those servers

4/12/2008 2:03:13 PM