I want to help you land your dream job as a systems administrator, so you can earn big money and live the life you deserve.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – How to effectively prepare for a career as a systems administrator |
| – Essential skills and qualifications for the role |
| – Tips on crafting a standout systems administrator resume |
| – Strategies for acing systems administrator job interviews |
| – Resources for further learning and professional development |
1. Learn Your Job Requirements
When you’re job hunting, it’s important to know what the company is looking for. A good place to start is by reading the job description.
This will help you determine if you’re qualified and whether or not they have the right skill set in place already. If they do have an opening, then it’s time to ask yourself: Am I a fit?
If not, then consider starting at the bottom as an intern or even as a support person before moving up into that role.
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2. Know Who You’re Talking To
You’re not just interviewing with the person in front of you you’re also going to be working with their teammates.
As a Systems Administrator, you will have to be able to get along with everyone on your team and work hard towards the same goals. To do this, you need to understand who those people are and what they want out of life.
To begin with, ask yourself what kind of company culture you want for yourself? Do you want an environment that is collaborative or individualistic? Do they allow a lot of flexibility in terms of hours or would prefer someone who can show up every day between 9am-5pm?
Are there any cultural aspects that might make it difficult for them if they hired someone from another country?
Next, try asking some questions about who else works at this company: What role do they play in the organization? What is their background? How long have they been here? Are there any interesting stories about how things got started here (if appropriate)?
You should also learn as much as possible about what problems these people are facing so that when asked about your experience solving similar problems during your interview(s).
You can speak intelligently about how best practices could be implemented within their existing systems infrastructure
3. Do Your Homework
Research is key to landing your dream job.
The more you know about the company and industry, the better prepared you’ll be for interviews and negotiations. To start, research:
The interviewer(s) by looking at their LinkedIn profiles, Google results, and other social media accounts (you can even use a tool like Social Mention to find mentions).
This will give you valuable insight into their backgrounds, interests, work experience, and how much money they make! It also gives you an opportunity to network or share a mutual connection with them on LinkedIn before your interview date arrives.
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4. Be Prepared To Show Up Early
You’re likely going to be expected to show up early, stay late and work long hours. If they want you there at 7 A.M., then get yourself there at 6:30 A.M., just in case.
And even if your new boss says that there’s no need for you to come in early or stay late, make sure you do it anyway a strong work ethic is one of the most important things employers are looking for!
While being prepared for travel might not be a requirement for every job opening (or even most of them), if you’re looking for one as a systems administrator, expect that traveling will come up as part of the position from time-to-time.
Some companies require their employees to travel frequently while others don’t ask their workers to leave the office very often at all but either way, being prepared will help put your mind at ease before heading out on an assignment with your colleagues or clients
5. Dress The Part
You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: dress for success. There are certain general guidelines that will help you get in the right mindset.
Dress professionally. No matter what kind of company or organization you’re applying to, wearing a suit is always appropriate, especially if you’re applying for an office job.
If your interviewer is dressed casually, don’t be afraid to show up in a polo shirt and khakis but remember that most offices have dress codes, so ask around first if there’s any doubt about what’s expected at the company where you’re interviewing!
Stand out from the crowd by dressing differently than everyone else who works there (but not too different).
As long as everyone else wears suits and ties on Monday through Friday, wearing jeans on Fridays shows initiative without being distracting, and being memorable can go a long way toward landing your dream job as systems administrator!
Make sure your clothes fit well and aren’t stained or worn down past their prime; this shows respect for yourself as well as others around you who may be judging how clean (or messy) their workplace looks through appearance alone!
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6. Learn Your Industry’s Lingo
As a candidate, it’s important to understand the industry jargon so you can communicate effectively with potential employers and coworkers. Here are some tips for learning common IT terms:
Read books! There are countless books on IT, but if you want to get started with one that’s more accessible than those written by experts in the field, try Amazon Web Services in Action by Michael DeSanta and John Lott (Manning Publications).
You can read this book online for free or purchase a hard copy of it from your local library.
Alternatively, if you prefer an audio version of this book (or any other), check out Audible it’s an awesome subscription service that gives users access to thousands upon thousands of audiobooks narrated by top-notch voice actors.
Your membership includes one free credit per month (which is enough time for your average novel or even nonfiction title), but after that credit has been used up, each additional chapter costs USD 1.99 a steal compared to what most audiobooks cost at retail stores these days!
7. Ask Good Questions
Asking questions is a great way to make an impression. Questions that show you are interested in the job, the company, and the team will help you get a better picture of who you’ll be working with and what your role might look like.
Ask about specific projects or initiatives that are being worked on. Ask about challenges their team has faced and overcome in recent months/years/decades (depending on how long they’ve been around).
Ask if there have been any new technologies or processes implemented recently that they find particularly useful. If they mention something interesting, ask follow-up questions:
- How did that process work? What was involved? What challenges did it pose?
- How do you see this project going forward? What made it successful so far, and what do you see as potential hurdles going forward?
- How does this technology impact day-to-day operations at [company name]? Are there any new ways of thinking or processes involved with using it, or do people just use this tool like they would any other tool in their arsenal?
8. Know How To Deliver And End A Presentation
You’ve likely heard the advice that you should know your audience, content, objectives, time constraints and presentation style before giving your talk. If so, that’s great! But there are some more things you need to consider when delivering a presentation:
What tools do I need? Do I have everything I need? Is there anything else I can add or take away?
What are my notes going to look like? Are they clear enough for me to follow them while also engaging with my audience?
Do they make sense in terms of flow between slides or points made during the talk itself (if not using a slideshow). Are there any typos or grammatical errors that need fixing before delivery.
Am I familiar with how these tools work so as not hinder my ability in giving an effective presentation which flows seamlessly from one slide/point/topic/etc., etc., etc.?
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9. Keep Interviewers Focused On What You Have To Offer
When an interviewer asks you a question, don’t let them steer the conversation in another direction or ask you questions that are not relevant to the job.
For example, if they ask what your salary expectations are, politely explain that it’s best not to talk about money at this point because it’ll distract from all of your skills and experience.
If they ask about your hobbies or personal life, ignore these questions and return them back to business matters as quickly as possible by explaining how much time and energy you put into each task.
10. Stay Positive, Yet Realistic
It’s important that you keep a positive attitude throughout the job search. You may be rejected from a number of jobs, and it can be easy to get discouraged and think that your dreams are never going to come true.
These feelings are normal, but they will only hurt your chances of landing your dream job if you let them linger.
- Don’t say anything negative about previous jobs or companies during an interview (even if it’s how much better everything is at this new company).
- Be optimistic about the hiring process itself it could take multiple rounds with many interviews before landing an offer letter.
- Don’t be negative about anyone involved in getting an offer letter (including themselves).
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11. Ask For The Job
Be confident. Your potential employer will be able to tell if you’re not confident in yourself, so you need to make sure that they see a strong, assertive person when they talk with you.
Be direct. If there’s something bothering your potential employer, speak up and let them know! Don’t allow things to fester and get worse take the initiative and ask for what you want!
Don’t feel like it might be too much to ask for; after all, no one is going to hire someone who doesn’t have confidence or assertiveness in themselves!
Be concise. Make sure that whatever point it is that needs clarification has been made clear by the end of each meeting; otherwise people might start feeling confused or unsure about what went wrong during their last interaction with someone else here on Earth (or somewhere else entirely).
This will help keep everyone on track while working together towards common goals at hand rather than having miscommunication between coworkers due mainly because no one bothered clarifying anything beforehand before getting started.”””
12. Follow Up With A Thank-You Note Or Email Message
While it’s not necessary to follow up with a thank-you note or email message, it’s a good idea. If you do send one, be sure to include:
- Your name and contact information at the top of the page
- A paragraph or two describing your interest in the job and why you are excited about working there.
- A list of references (if you have them).
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic of becoming a systems administrator:
How to Become a Systems Administrator: This comprehensive guide provides valuable insights into the skills, education, and certifications needed to pursue a career as a systems administrator.
System Administrator Careers: Learn about the various career paths and job prospects available for system administrators in this informative article.
Work in Tech: System Administrator: Discover the key responsibilities, required skills, and steps to break into the field of system administration with this helpful resource.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about system administration:
What does a systems administrator do?
A systems administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining computer systems, including hardware, software, networks, and servers. They ensure the efficient operation, security, and availability of these systems.
What skills are essential for a systems administrator?
Key skills for a systems administrator include proficiency in operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux), networking, scripting/programming, troubleshooting, security practices, and strong communication skills.
What education or certifications are beneficial for a systems administrator?
While a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field can be advantageous, practical experience and industry certifications, such as CompTIA A+, Network+, and Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), can also help in establishing a career as a systems administrator.
How do I gain experience in system administration?
Gaining experience can be accomplished through internships, entry-level IT positions, or hands-on projects. Setting up a home lab, volunteering for non-profit organizations, or contributing to open-source projects are also effective ways to gain practical experience.
What is the career outlook for systems administrators?
The demand for skilled systems administrators is expected to remain strong as organizations increasingly rely on technology infrastructure. Job prospects are favorable, and systems administrators can find opportunities in various industries, including healthcare, finance, government, and technology.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.