Salary for unix/network admin 1

[ponetguy2]

Hello everyone, I'm about to start job hunting. I have 9 years experience in IT. five years with unix, 9 years with windows, and also 9 years with network administration. I'm certified with Solaris 8 and CCNA. I don't have a college degree, but I have some college. Five years out of the nine was from the financial industry (focus on electronic trading servers and workstations).

I'm currently earning $74,000/year. How much should I expect to get offered when I go out in to the market. Suggestions on minimum and maximum salary would truly be appreciated.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[rliebsch]

Um.

I would have to say it isn't a lie to say with confidence: "Yes I have ample *nix experience in the following flavors: Linux, BSD, SunOS, Solaris, IRIX, AIX, DEC, HPUX, OSX, SCO, Unix, Open/NeXT-step.

In my limited experience working with all of these, I use the same software as I would in all of the others. Apache (and all it's little friends), Postfix/Sendmail, xinetd, tcpdump, sql, ipchains/iptables, etc. etc. etc. Most importantly, they all have directions called "man"

HR and some "hiring managers" don't know what they are talking about. Would someone freak because I know RedHat better than Debian, or FreeBSD over OpenBSD? or maybe I haven't worked in OSX/Darwin, but I own NetBSD. Or wait, maybe I am a kernel hacker and I work in my own flavor of kernel...

I realize that the AIX, DEC, HPUX, and UNIX are all proprietary systems, but they all allow me to work in C, C++, Pearl, bash, ksh, tcsh. They all have compilers and debuggers, they all have log files and monitoring utilities (granted in slightly different places - if you can't find them, then you are not qualified)

Now, I think the relevant question in retort to these hiring agents is: what do you expect the Linux system to do. Then once they lay down what the system is supposed to do; evaluate that against your skill set.

I hate hate hate job interviews. Managers lose their technical proficiency in less than 3 years (generally - but there are exceptions). HR has NO foggy friggin idea what we do. Desktop people dream about the movies Hackers and The Matrix, so they have no concept of what we do.

I guess the short answer is "bluff" If you don't learn anything on the job, then you are going to get bored in short order. Any adminstrator, be it Windows, Macintosh, or *nix, is only as good as their ability to Google and man.

</rant>

 

[BocaBurger]

I work in technical support. My customers are from good sized companies. I scares me when the person I am talking says they need their UNIX admin; the person gets on the call and I aks them to read a log file. They ask how. I suggest vi. "UNIX Admin" asks: "v i?". I say, OK, try more. "More what?" I wish I could say "more on"

How do these people get hired? I have seen an applicant pick up a mouse and click it at the monitor like a TV remote. She did not get hired.

I used to be on alt.sysadmin.recovery.



BocaBurger
<===========================||////////////////|0
The pen is mightier than the sword, but the sword hurts more!

 

[mrdenny]

I love it when they ask for 5 years of experience with Windows 2003 or the equivalent time with other recent products.

I've seen better than this. I just started somewhere so I was out doing the interviews for a while. And I saw more than one company asking for 3+ years experience with SQL Server 2005. A product that isn't scheduled for release from Microsoft for at least a few more months.

When I was asked how long I'd been using SQL Server 2005 I told them that SQL Server 2005 hasn't been released, and isn't scheduled to be released for months. They didn't seem happy with that answer.

Interviewing blows chunks.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

(My very old site)

 

[smin]

..I saw more than one company asking for 3+ years experience with SQL Server 2005...When I was asked how long I'd been using SQL Server 2005 I told them that SQL Server 2005 hasn't been released, and isn't scheduled to be released for months. They didn't seem happy with that answer.

When you are asked such question next time, just calmly answer that you have 3+ years of experience. Since SQL Server 2005 is SQL Server 2000 with a few improvements, you are telling the truth. A Ford with newly installed options is still a Ford. Right? And don't make the interviewers look bad no matter how stupid questions they ask.

Smin

 

[BocaBurger]

What do you do when they ask why this is not on your resume? What if they want 7+ years eperience with Windows 2003? What if they want you to be able to program in 7 different languages, do systems administration, be the help desk, manage the network and maintain security? How you ever looked at the help wanted ads in Computerworld? Some of them have a shopping list of skills it would take 3 people to have, and they promist it's only a 9-5 job.



BocaBurger
<===========================||////////////////|0
The pen is mightier than the sword, but the sword hurts more!

 

[ponetguy2]

No luck so far. I am having troulble finding a new place to work. I should'nt be desparate since I still have a job. I think I'll work on getting a few more certs under my belt and try again from there.

I am currently trying to get cert in CCNA and also go for my SCSA for Solaris 10.

Any suggestions?

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[kHz]

I have 0 certs but have bachelor's and master's degrees plus over 10 years in IT. When looking for a job recently I was interviewed and hired sending out 1 resume. Prior to that I found a job two years ago sending out no more than 12 resumes. Five years before that I sent 3 resumes and had 3 interviews and 3 offers.

None of my interviews has ever asked if I had a certification or if I was going to get one. A very well written cover letter will work extremely good at having an employer look at your resume. Most people, I believe, neglect a cover letter and spend most of their effort in constructing a "perfect" resume. But most employers are going to read the cover letter first and if they are not impressed, they will never see your resume, and hence you will never get an interview.

I spent equal time writing my cover letter as I did my resume. And my resume is very strong, so I always expect an interview. From there it is knowing the interview techniques. But never lie, in the cover letter, on the resume, or in the interview(s). This has served me extremely well.

Good Luck!

 

[GlenJohnson]

What if they want 7+ years eperience with Windows 2003?

Don't think 2003 has been around that long, has it?

Glen A. Johnson
To get the best answers to your questions, check out faq950-5848
If you're from the Chicago land area, check out Tek-Tips in Chicago IL

 

[mrdenny]

Nope, Windows 2003 came out in 2003, 2 years.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

(My very old site)

 

[BocaBurger]

My point is that I have seen job requirements that no-one would be able to qualify for.



BocaBurger
<===========================||////////////////|0
The pen is mightier than the sword, but the sword hurts more!

 

[ponetguy2]

I agree wiith BocaBurger. Some of these employers are asking for too much. For example, my last interview was asking me how proficient I am in scripting languages. I told them I've written a few scripts in perl, ksh, and bsh. However, I would need a book or some type of guide if I need to write a new script for so and so task and I really don't consider myself as an expert in writing scripts. The employer wanted me to be able to write a script from the top of my head and since I was not able to do this, I am not qualified. WTF!!!



Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[dennisbbb]

ponetguy2: your skillz are worth over 6 figures $$$, if you are lucky enough to land one. Check Salary.com, those figures are not lies, you simply need to be aggressive with your supervisor, or job-hop to raise your pay.

Khz: I would like to read your cover letter. I'm wondering how much convincing you can get in a cover letter.

 

[ponetguy2]

thanx khz. however, i don't think my skills can get me six figures. the best offer i had was $80K. this is the average offer i'm getting in chicago. just a reminder, i only have an associates degree and my SCSA cert. the only thin i have going for me is my experience. i've been a unix admin for over five years. plus i've been a windows admin since 1997.

Here is my cover letter:

To Whom It May Concern,

Please accept the enclosed resume as an expressed interest in any IT or systems administration opportunities available within your organization. I am currently employed as a Senior Customer Technical Service Representative at Deutsche Boerse Systems, Inc. for over five years. In addition, I also obtained a position as a System/Network Administrator for Ambulatory Health Care Services and served there for three years. I have gone through numerous IT training courses and obtained a few IT certifications.

My background includes LAN/WAN design, project management, technical training, system upgrades, beta testing, and debugging while I was with Ambulatory Health Care Services and currently with Deutsche Boerse Systems. When I was with Ambulatory Health Care services, I played a key role in designing and implementing their whole IT infrastructure.

My diverse blend of experience, technical skills, and professionalism will hopefully allow me to become a key contributor to your information technology team. I am confident my dedication, positive attitude, and knowledge of Network and System Administration will be an asset to a company built upon quality leadership, teamwork, and overall success.

I am eager to discuss my background and how I can provide a positive impact to your daily operations. I truly appreciate your time and kind consideration. I look forward to speaking with you in the near future.

Sincerely,
Carlo Reyes


Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[Stella740pl]

ponetguy2,

Not claiming to be a specialist in writing cover letters, I would like to point out a few obvious weaknesses in yours.

By any means, try to obtain a name and a title of the person you are writing to, preferebly not an HR person, but a prospective boss. "To whom it may concern" is addressed to everybody - and nobody. It can land your resume anywhere from waste basket to a clueless HR person's back-burner file. (If you are currently out of work and just trying to get a job quickly and to get maximum coverage, then it might be suitable.)

Also, "any ... opportunities available within your organization" may seem to you to be a door opener to a wide range of positions - and it is, for an average position. But for an exceptional and highly desirable position a person eager to jump at "any" position wouldn't be considered. Try to find out if an actual position is open, and what it is called, and apply for it. If you don't get it but they like you, they might offer you another one available. It's a risky way, of course.

Don't start your letter with a lengthy story about yourself. People would be most interested to hear how you can be useful to them. So start with it - get them interested. Try to be to-the-point, not just repeat common phrases like "an asset to a company built upon quality leadership". Then, you may continue by what qualifications you have to support your claims. The obvious "Please accept the enclosed resume" you can leave for the closing.

 

[dennisbbb]

Personally I'd tossed away all these "cover letters" due to the volume of resume received. I remember once we advertised for a "tech support specialist", we were pre-set to hire someone with a particular set of skills, location, past work history, age, etc...

Basically we were looking for someone not too smart and not too dumb, not too far, and not too old, with a great attitude (interview will tell).

ponetguy2: you will get over 6 figures in major metropolitan such as Los Angeles, SanJose Bay Area, NewYork. However, these area are extremely competitive as well, but you are on top (cream of the crop) that's for sure.

 

[mrdenny]

Carlo,
I hope you don't mind if I pick your cover letter apart a little. I've written a couple of these for friends.

obtained a few IT certifications

I'd change this to obtained several IT certifications. To me saying a few tells me that you are fairly junior and couldn't pass the tests for the rest of them. It tells me that there are more certs that you don't have then you do. By saying that you have several (many would also work) it doesn't specify how many there are, it just says that you have a bunch.

any IT or systems administration opportunities available within your organization

I agree with Stella on this one. This needs to be changed. Put in the job title that you want. That way they know where to put your resume, and which manager to give your resume to. If the HR person doesn't know what your looking for, it's the round file for you.

their whole IT infrastructure

I just like "their entire IT infrastructure" better. I've got no reason, it just sounds better to me.

These are the big things that I would change. Over all it's a very good cover letter. Good work on it.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

(Not quite so old any more.)

 

[ponetguy2]

WOW!!! thank you everyone for the help.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[kHz]

Sorry, my cover letter was my own effort and I don't want to post it on the internet for others to use. I don't have my resume posted on the internet either. Please don't take this offensively, but I am looking out for myself.

There are many online examples of cover letters to help you learn the proper format and structure, as well as a number of books at your local bookstore.

Make sure the cover letter is grammatically and punctually correct; do not lie; and be confident in your ability to contribute to the organization's goals.

 

[ponetguy2]

I take no offense to your statement, khz.

I guess I was getting a little frustrated from my little job hunt. I have a tendency to ask for everyone's opinion on everything. I don't see it as lack of confidence, but as being open to suggestions. Unlike you, I don't have a degree. I have one cert and that is it. I'm relying more on my experience to land me a good job. However, the market is still competetive.

Anyway, I have two interviews next week. Wish me luck.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[BocaBurger]

Hello Carlo,

Check out IBM.com, they have a few openings, and the Software Group needs support people.



BocaBurger
<===========================||////////////////|0
The pen is mightier than the sword, but the sword hurts more!