[Gllug] Unix sysadmin vacancies

[pjotr at pckassa.com]

Hi Kieran,

I am happy to say there are more interested parties now - and I will 
take a look at Jobserve.

> 1. There aren't that many competent UNIX/Linux admins out there.
> Sysadminining is thankless work. There's a lot of break/fix where some
> moron is breathing down your neck, asking why he can't print from
> Powerpoint (for example).

In fact I disagree with the sentiment. System administration can be a 
great job. If one has the passion and if one has the right employer. The
description stated it would be a team effort. No need for touching
Microsoft products.

> 3. From the above, it's a lot easier to let an agency find the vacancies
> for you. I used to hate the cycle of sending out CVs and getting PFOs
> back time after time when I was younger.

Not easier. We have been dealing with agencies a lot - and I am mostly
frustrated. You need someone who understands the job to do the assessment.

> 6. The perl side of things is a problem for you, because (real) Perl
> skills are extremely valuable (and highly rewarded...). 

Well, I think all SA's should manage Perl. Or be bash virtuosos. How 
do you automate stuff otherwise?

> 7. Anything related to EJBs is ridiculous. EJBs are a way for the
> programmer not to have to know about concurrency, transactions or
> locking. They seem to be the hottest buzzword in town. But there is (I
> assert :)) no pool of experience in EJBs, because the tech is so new.

EJB was not stated as a requirement. But deploying EJB is an SA's job,
and if someone has experience that helps. Also it is not exactly a new 
technology. But I would never reject a candidate because he/she does
not know EJB. Same for example with Oracle.

> Now, looking back at your job ad, (posted by Dan Kolb at the beginning
> of September), you mention EJBs, encryption, stateful firewalling,
> intrusion detection, filesystem integrity (I assume Tripwire/AIDE),
> Perl, Python, Ruby, CVS, Oracle, Windows, Solaris, Linux, DNS,
> Sendmail, Postfix (and I know I left some out).
> 
> The spec was well written, thoughtful, and probably designed to whet
> someone's appetite. I thought at the time that it was a very interesting
> post.

*LOL*. The job spec was written because it partially covers my job. 
I need someone to take over my work. Thazall. I did the system 
administration on 'the side', but with the growing work load it 
has become a full time job. I have two jobs now.

> But I think you were a victim of the environment in London, as described
> above. Someone presenting an intelligent job spec in London has the same
> problems as someone presenting an intelligent discussion about the
> Talliban to an american at the moment. 

Interesting point. Luckily I am getting more responses now.

> It's actually very sad. There is a real problem with career structure in 
> system administration. Have you ever seen a post advertising for someone
> with an interest in the field? The only classes I know of are
> vendor-based. There is little appreciation in management of what is
> needed. And then they complain about how hard it is to hire, and switch
> everything to Windows.

Some truth there. Though I think Unix still wins out - and that is 
known in the market place. Clued in companies have lower costs. Vero!

Pj.

-- 
Gllug mailing list  -  Gllug at linux.co.uk
http://list.ftech.net/mailman/listinfo/gllug