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CloFan posted:
Yea this isn't really "official" but my supervisor is cool with it as long as nothing is on fire / needs attention.
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Jul 23, 2016 03:16
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psydude posted:Pre-sales at my company has been courting me pretty heavily. I'm kind of torn because post-sales is a lot of fun, but it would probably be the better career move and would give me a wide degree of latitude to expand our security practice to include more assessments, audits, and penetration tests. For what it's worth, my uncle switched to pre-sales a few years ago when he took a job a large SDN OS/hardware vendor when they were pre-IPO. They went IPO, he got a bunch of $$$ out of that, and a year later he took a pre-sales gig at VMWare for a considerable pay bump. He LOVES pre-sales, partly because the money but he really enjoys the strategic side of things you mentioned.
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Jul 23, 2016 04:53
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Arsten posted:Apply direct. I've run around recruiters trying to gently caress me, before. This is always solid advice. Unfortunately the only postings I've found are from the same company that thinks a call and an email every hour is a great way to interact with someone who already has a (night) job. I'm also pretty sure that $18/hr is the truth and "$40K to $100K" is the fuckery. Oh well, I'm happy where I'm at and without a 100 mile commute.
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Jul 23, 2016 08:06
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Can you guys and ladies remind me of all the reasons not to go from system admin to service desk manager? The money is tempting.
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Jul 24, 2016 18:35
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ElGroucho posted:Can you guys and ladies remind me of all the reasons not to go from system admin to service desk manager? The money is tempting. It can be kind of a dead end career wise.
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Jul 24, 2016 18:47
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ElGroucho posted:Can you guys and ladies remind me of all the reasons not to go from system admin to service desk manager? The money is tempting. Customers
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Jul 24, 2016 19:04
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Dr. Arbitrary posted:It can be kind of a dead end career wise. If the move is a step up in pay then step into being a sys admin for a different employer.
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Jul 24, 2016 19:23
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So what is pre-sales like day to day? I do post sales support, and while it can be challenging, it is basically a cost center and the last 2 jobs in a row have just tried to squeeze as much work for as little pay as they can. I am sure that the grass is always greener, but given you are actually trying to earn the company money, do you get training, decent compensation,etc?
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Jul 24, 2016 21:12
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ElGroucho posted:Can you guys and ladies remind me of all the reasons not to go from system admin to service desk manager? The money is tempting. Everything is still your fault, only there you don't have the access to fix it.
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Jul 25, 2016 03:38
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So right now I work application support, but I really want to do Linux Sysadmin/Engineer stuff. I've managed to talk my way into getting access to the Linux servers at the company I work at and am working on getting a really good grasp of Linux stuff. I'm not looking to leave right now, but literally every job I see involving Linux in my area is 5-6+ year experience required doing X, Y, Z. Any advice on what sort of job title I'm looking for? Because "Junior Linux" anything seems to mean Mid-Level Linux if the jobs I'm looking at are any indication
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Jul 25, 2016 04:02
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Eonwe posted:So right now I work application support, but I really want to do Linux Sysadmin/Engineer stuff. I've managed to talk my way into getting access to the Linux servers at the company I work at and am working on getting a really good grasp of Linux stuff. I'm not looking to leave right now, but literally every job I see involving Linux in my area is 5-6+ year experience required doing X, Y, Z. Any advice on what sort of job title I'm looking for? Because "Junior Linux" anything seems to mean Mid-Level Linux if the jobs I'm looking at are any indication I'm getting pretty sour with available job market with nearly every position asking for "Senior <$Position>". If it's Linux getting your RHCSA does wonders...
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Jul 25, 2016 04:08
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SubjectVerbObject posted:So what is pre-sales like day to day? It's the over-promising not the under-delivering.
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Jul 25, 2016 04:12
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Tab8715 posted:I'm getting pretty sour with available job market with nearly every position asking for "Senior <$Position>". Yeah, I was thinking of doing that. I just don't feel like I know enough, so even if I studied and passed it I would feel kind of like a faker.
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Jul 25, 2016 04:18
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Eonwe posted:Yeah, I was thinking of doing that. I just don't feel like I know enough, so even if I studied and passed it I would feel kind of like a faker. Well the RHCSA is a practical exam so you can't really study your way through it like a Cisco test. Your test is sitting down at an environment that was loaded with broken poo poo and then fixing it when they give you the scenarios of what is happening.
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Jul 25, 2016 04:28
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Hey, thats pretty neat. I think I'm going to work toward that.
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Jul 25, 2016 04:30
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Eonwe posted:So right now I work application support, but I really want to do Linux Sysadmin/Engineer stuff. I've managed to talk my way into getting access to the Linux servers at the company I work at and am working on getting a really good grasp of Linux stuff. I'm not looking to leave right now, but literally every job I see involving Linux in my area is 5-6+ year experience required doing X, Y, Z. Any advice on what sort of job title I'm looking for? Because "Junior Linux" anything seems to mean Mid-Level Linux if the jobs I'm looking at are any indication Lastly, apply to everything you feel you're unqualified for. The absolute worst thing that happens is that you don't get a call back. Even if you get turned down on an initial interview, you've gained interview experience and you know what people looking for Linux admins think you're weak in.
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Jul 25, 2016 04:54
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yeah, the networking thing especially makes sense. Any advice on how I even *begin* to network? I'm guessing there are meetups of IT people, I may take a look at checking some of those out.
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Jul 25, 2016 05:18
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SubjectVerbObject posted:So what is pre-sales like day to day? I do post sales support, and while it can be challenging, it is basically a cost center and the last 2 jobs in a row have just tried to squeeze as much work for as little pay as they can. I am sure that the grass is always greener, but given you are actually trying to earn the company money, do you get training, decent compensation,etc? Do you work for a MSP or something? In the VAR/partner/consulting world, post-sales is anything BUT a cost center. Services have the highest gross profit of anything you can sell; even support contracts have high margins.
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Jul 25, 2016 05:56
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Hi, I'm trying to find a new job because Food Service sucks. A local bank in my area has an opening for Technical Support Specialist, and most of the duties listed involve setting up computers, installing updates, and other helpdesk type duties. However as part of the minimum requirements it has listed "A degree in computer science, networking or other related field or equivalent technical skills/work experience." The most I have under my belt is an Introduction to Computers course that was a waste of my time as a pre-requisite because it was all stuff I had either been taught in high school or had taught myself (the course had to do with MS Office products and all the wonderful ways you can edit documents and poo poo). They go on to list that Preferred qualities are "Knowledge in areas including Windows Server, Citrix Metaframe, MSSQL, Exchange, TCP/IP, Security and Antivirus." If I applied with just my high school diploma would I just get shot down immediately? Or should I just try applying to see what happens/what their reaction is?
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Jul 25, 2016 09:23
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Luna Was Here posted:Hi, I'm trying to find a new job because Food Service sucks. A local bank in my area has an opening for Technical Support Specialist, and most of the duties listed involve setting up computers, installing updates, and other helpdesk type duties. However as part of the minimum requirements it has listed "A degree in computer science, networking or other related field or equivalent technical skills/work experience." The most I have under my belt is an Introduction to Computers course that was a waste of my time as a pre-requisite because it was all stuff I had either been taught in high school or had taught myself (the course had to do with MS Office products and all the wonderful ways you can edit documents and poo poo). They go on to list that Preferred qualities are "Knowledge in areas including Windows Server, Citrix Metaframe, MSSQL, Exchange, TCP/IP, Security and Antivirus." If I applied with just my high school diploma would I just get shot down immediately? Or should I just try applying to see what happens/what their reaction is? Always apply. Craft your resume and say you are familiar with the technologies you are familiar with. And if they want a degree (even an associates) for a computer monkey job, they are out of their minds. The worse case, you never hear back - but you now have a resume the you can use for other gigs. Start taking courses like A+ at the community college to add to your resume and then get A+ certified. Move on to Network+ and any other certifications you can swing. And don't get me wrong, depending on where you are, you might have to apply to 300 jobs to get out of your current gig - mainly based on how many unemployed are in your local economy . Depending on how your brain is wired, this can be incredibly demoralizing. Don't. Give. Up. Also, your first tech monkey job will suck. It's the law.
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Jul 25, 2016 09:39
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Luna Was Here posted:Hi, I'm trying to find a new job because Food Service sucks. A local bank in my area has an opening for Technical Support Specialist, and most of the duties listed involve setting up computers, installing updates, and other helpdesk type duties. However as part of the minimum requirements it has listed "A degree in computer science, networking or other related field or equivalent technical skills/work experience." The most I have under my belt is an Introduction to Computers course that was a waste of my time as a pre-requisite because it was all stuff I had either been taught in high school or had taught myself (the course had to do with MS Office products and all the wonderful ways you can edit documents and poo poo). They go on to list that Preferred qualities are "Knowledge in areas including Windows Server, Citrix Metaframe, MSSQL, Exchange, TCP/IP, Security and Antivirus." If I applied with just my high school diploma would I just get shot down immediately? Or should I just try applying to see what happens/what their reaction is? Apply to anything and everything, if you're looking to get into IT, you need to shotgun. Stuff you should DEFINITELY be applying to: Helpdesk and Desktop Support/Technician. If you really think you want to get into IT, while you apply to entry level jobs, you should also study for an entry level cert (such as the A+). If you do not get an entry level job before finishing the cert, congratulations, it should help you get a job, if you do get a job prior to the cert (going off the A+ example) don't get the cert, move on to the next level of certs, which will be slightly more specialized and gear you towards moving up in your career. Never not apply, you lose nothing by applying but everything by not applying.
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Jul 25, 2016 09:41
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Luna Was Here posted:Hi, I'm trying to find a new job because Food Service sucks. A local bank in my area has an opening for Technical Support Specialist, and most of the duties listed involve setting up computers, installing updates, and other helpdesk type duties. However as part of the minimum requirements it has listed "A degree in computer science, networking or other related field or equivalent technical skills/work experience." The most I have under my belt is an Introduction to Computers course that was a waste of my time as a pre-requisite because it was all stuff I had either been taught in high school or had taught myself (the course had to do with MS Office products and all the wonderful ways you can edit documents and poo poo). They go on to list that Preferred qualities are "Knowledge in areas including Windows Server, Citrix Metaframe, MSSQL, Exchange, TCP/IP, Security and Antivirus." If I applied with just my high school diploma would I just get shot down immediately? Or should I just try applying to see what happens/what their reaction is? If you know computers this sounds like the job opening for you. Don't ever give a poo poo about listed requirements and just apply. Especially considering those requirements are ridiculous for the type of work you described.
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Jul 25, 2016 09:46
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Arsten posted:Always apply. Craft your resume and say you are familiar with the technologies you are familiar with. And if they want a degree (even an associates) for a computer monkey job, they are out of their minds. The worse case, you never hear back - but you now have a resume the you can use for other gigs. Start taking courses like A+ at the community college to add to your resume and then get A+ certified. Move on to Network+ and any other certifications you can swing. My current work economy is "I live in a town of 10k people get me outta here" but I have bills and poo poo that need to be managed first before I can think about moving to a bigger city/workforce area. MF_James posted:Apply to anything and everything, if you're looking to get into IT, you need to shotgun. Stuff you should DEFINITELY be applying to: Helpdesk and Desktop Support/Technician. If you really think you want to get into IT, while you apply to entry level jobs, you should also study for an entry level cert (such as the A+). If you do not get an entry level job before finishing the cert, congratulations, it should help you get a job, if you do get a job prior to the cert (going off the A+ example) don't get the cert, move on to the next level of certs, which will be slightly more specialized and gear you towards moving up in your career. Are there any free or easily obtainable study materials for these certs? I'm interested in making myself look "hireable" but I've never really been sure how to do it. thanks for the encouragement, I'm filling out their online app now, best of luck to me
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Jul 25, 2016 10:05
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Found this for you guys trying to get into linux, https://linuxjourney.com
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Jul 25, 2016 11:25
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SubjectVerbObject posted:So what is pre-sales like day to day? I do post sales support, and while it can be challenging, it is basically a cost center and the last 2 jobs in a row have just tried to squeeze as much work for as little pay as they can. I am sure that the grass is always greener, but given you are actually trying to earn the company money, do you get training, decent compensation,etc? Do you like working with sales people and their terrible hours and habits?
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Jul 25, 2016 12:23
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Luna Was Here posted:My current work economy is "I live in a town of 10k people get me outta here" but I have bills and poo poo that need to be managed first before I can think about moving to a bigger city/workforce area. If you think you can do the job just apply for it. I have a technical degree but never looked at IT until way later than I should have because I was discouraged by the job requirements that I now know are insane. Think of your grandma, she might be able to use facebook and email but if her windows crashes she is heading to geek squad or calling you. That is the level of technical aptitude most people have. You are already way ahead just asking here.
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Jul 25, 2016 12:30
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Luna Was Here posted:My current work economy is "I live in a town of 10k people get me outta here" but I have bills and poo poo that need to be managed first before I can think about moving to a bigger city/workforce area. Here a place that's supposed to be free and is supposed to be pretty decent in preparation for the A+ exams. I can't vouch for them, but a quick run through of the first one seems to be useful. http://www.proprofs.com/certification/comptia/a-plus/study-guide/index.shtml Note that the A+ exams start with the absolute brain-dead basics, so don't get through chapters 1-4 and think you are good to just take the test.
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Jul 25, 2016 13:25
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Arsten posted:Always apply. Craft your resume and say you are familiar with the technologies you are familiar with. And if they want a degree (even an associates) for a computer monkey job, they are out of their minds. The worse case, you never hear back - but you now have a resume the you can use for other gigs. Start taking courses like A+ at the community college to add to your resume and then get A+ certified. Move on to Network+ and any other certifications you can swing. My first jobs were pretty good, but they were interning with my county school system in highschool and college student helpdesk / vet school IT guy. After that though. My first small time MSP tech monkey blew goats for quarters. I think its a right of passage to get jerked around in at least one IT job in and around the beginning.
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Jul 25, 2016 13:40
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psydude posted:Do you work for a MSP or something? In the VAR/partner/consulting world, post-sales is anything BUT a cost center. Services have the highest gross profit of anything you can sell; even support contracts have high margins. Previously I worked for a software vendor, now I work for a business partner for that vendor. Both made a lot of money on services, but there is always a push to increase margins and there always seems to be resentment from the company that they have to pay us money, instead of just keeping all the cash they get from contracts.
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Jul 25, 2016 14:09
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ElGroucho posted:Can you guys and ladies remind me of all the reasons not to go from system admin to service desk manager? The money is tempting. ever service desk manager i've ever met has been a dickless weenie. Don't be a dickless weenie.
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Jul 25, 2016 14:14
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devmd01 posted:ever service desk manager i've ever met has been a dickless weenie. Don't be a dickless weenie. Everyone I have known then went from tech to manager either went back to tech or left the company (and not in a good way) within 2 years.
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Jul 25, 2016 14:39
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Luna Was Here posted:My current work economy is "I live in a town of 10k people get me outta here" but I have bills and poo poo that need to be managed first before I can think about moving to a bigger city/workforce area. Most of the first/second "tier" of certs have somewhat inexpensive study materials, compared to some of the certs anyway. By inexpensive i mean $40-200, depending on the book and if you get it new/used. Make sure you're picking up the book for the current test, every couple years cert tests get updated to add/remove stuff, just check the cert vendor's website to find the current test. In the case of A+, net+, and sec+, you'd want to check out CompTIA. You could also find  that are pdfs of the book and/or instructor videos, if you're into the torrent type of thing.Way to go on applying! Hopefully they call you for an interview, if they do, just don't try to lie about your depth of knowledge. At the same time don't sell yourself short, you likely know WAY more than you think. (if) they ask you a technical question, which they might not even have technical questions for a T1 type position, and you do not know the answer, say "I don't know, but I would figure out the answer by Googling key terms/utilizing an internal wiki or knowledge base (if they have it) and if all else fails you'd lean on co-workers with more knowledge." Basically you don't know everything, but you DO have half a brain and can figure stuff out on your own.
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Jul 25, 2016 15:05
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Luna Was Here posted:Hi, I'm trying to find a new job because Food Service sucks. A local bank in my area has an opening for Technical Support Specialist, and most of the duties listed involve setting up computers, installing updates, and other helpdesk type duties. However as part of the minimum requirements it has listed "A degree in computer science, networking or other related field or equivalent technical skills/work experience." The most I have under my belt is an Introduction to Computers course that was a waste of my time as a pre-requisite because it was all stuff I had either been taught in high school or had taught myself (the course had to do with MS Office products and all the wonderful ways you can edit documents and poo poo). They go on to list that Preferred qualities are "Knowledge in areas including Windows Server, Citrix Metaframe, MSSQL, Exchange, TCP/IP, Security and Antivirus." If I applied with just my high school diploma would I just get shot down immediately? Or should I just try applying to see what happens/what their reaction is?
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Jul 25, 2016 15:20
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The ability to solve problems and Google poo poo without handholding is vastly more important than the "stuff I know about computers" that you bring to a helpdesk/tech support job. You can teach someone all sorts of whatever computer stuff but it's much harder to teach someone critical thinking and the ability to Google for what you want.
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Jul 25, 2016 15:52
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Luna Was Here posted:Hi, I'm trying to find a new job because Food Service sucks. A local bank in my area has an opening for Technical Support Specialist, and most of the duties listed involve setting up computers, installing updates, and other helpdesk type duties. However as part of the minimum requirements it has listed "A degree in computer science, networking or other related field or equivalent technical skills/work experience." The most I have under my belt is an Introduction to Computers course that was a waste of my time as a pre-requisite because it was all stuff I had either been taught in high school or had taught myself (the course had to do with MS Office products and all the wonderful ways you can edit documents and poo poo). They go on to list that Preferred qualities are "Knowledge in areas including Windows Server, Citrix Metaframe, MSSQL, Exchange, TCP/IP, Security and Antivirus." If I applied with just my high school diploma would I just get shot down immediately? Or should I just try applying to see what happens/what their reaction is? hey, I was kind of in this area. I have a poli sci degree, and I was applying for jobs while I went back and got an IT degree. I honestly don't think the IT degree is super necessary. When I got my first interview it was because I wrote a nice cover letter and demonstrated, essentially, that I read their job posting. They mentioned a lot of the same things your job posting seems to mention. For example, on the SQL stuff, I'd never seen a bit of SQL. I just kind of did a basic runthrough of what SQL was and learned to write a few queries, and then I mentioned I could read/write very basic SQL queries in my cover letter. I think if you try to demonstrate your willingness to learn and your interest as well as some basic knowledge you can probably get a job similar to the one you've mentioned even without an IT degree.. The job I got said it required an IT degree, and one of my coworkers didn't have *any degree* and had just worked in property management prior to that. Is the degree useful? Sure, but I dont think its necessary eonwe fucked around with this message at 15:58 on Jul 25, 2016 |
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Jul 25, 2016 15:55
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Sheep posted:The ability to solve problems and Google poo poo without handholding is vastly more important than the "stuff I know about computers" that you bring to a helpdesk/tech support job. You can teach someone all sorts of whatever computer stuff but it's much harder to teach someone critical thinking and the ability to Google for what you want. Depends on who is hiring for this to be useful. Find out what the person interviewing does. If they are in IT, mentioning / showing your google-fu will likely be enough for many entry / low level jobs, even some mid levels will take someone with a field history + strong google abilities. Pretty doubtful you'll land a senior level position on google skills alone you have to prove you actually retained some of that googling! Now if you are being interviewed by HR or some other department you might be in trouble if they have a list of technical questions and they have a list of answers and when you say "I google remote computer serial number command prompt. Then I google Dell warranty look and paste the results there" when asked how to obtain the serial number of a computer 200 miles away that a user is on to check the warranty status. I mean ideally you'd have some software keeping track of this but always useful to be able to do the long way! (You might also know it off the top of your head WMIC /NODE:Desktop112 bios get serialnumber Getting the warranty lookup page off the top of your head on the other hand well, good luck! ) Don't be afraid of the non IT people interview, usually when that happens its a small place running 1-2 IT guys and they left a list of questions and answers before they left. It can be good experience to take on a solo gig if you are make sure to get a user / server count and on call demands. You don't want to end up in a position that will take advantage of you either. Trial by fire tends to work really well in IT.
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Jul 25, 2016 16:28
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Imma just go to a client site and see how things are goi *building is on fire* Oh
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Jul 25, 2016 17:25
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Oh nvm it was just some remodeling dust and that got 8 firetrucks to come lol
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Jul 25, 2016 17:39
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SaltLick posted:Imma just go to a client site and see how things are goi *building is on fire* I once got a call from my boss at 4am that there was a fire at corporate. My mind immediately jumps to DR scenarios, holy poo poo the datacenter burned down because of lovely fire suppression. Thankfully it was only a small fire in the warehouse, and he needed me to get video exported of the sodium light showering sparks over a pile of refrigerators in cardboard and the ensuing small inferno. Insurance wasn't happy tho, $1,000,000+ in damages written off.
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Jul 25, 2016 17:42
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SaltLick posted:Oh nvm it was just some remodeling dust and that got 8 firetrucks to come lol A previous employer once set off the fire alarm at their datacenter by opening a floor tile that hadn't been opened in 10+ years and releasing a cloud of dust. They evacuated the building; the alarm went off for a half hour before somebody called the fire department; the alarm wasn't being monitored.
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Jul 25, 2016 18:07
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