Job interview and technical exam - Thu

opethdisciple

opethdisciple

opethdisciple

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Linux and career options (was job related)

Hi Guys.

I've passed round one of the interview process for a new job in cluding a basic 10 question technical exam. On Thu I have the final round. It will be a panel of 3 and a technical exam.

The position is for a junior Linux role providing 1st line and 2nd line support in a Linux environment. I believe the desktop infrastructure is windows.

Any tips on what questions they could possibly ask?
 
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Possible things:
What software would you use to log into a server?
How would see the ip-address of a server from the console
LVM
Package management
User creation
List content of print queue
List/edit cronjob
Where are the system logs

From a non-technical front incident and change management, documentation.
 
memyselfandi said:
Possible things:
What software would you use to log into a server?
How would see the ip-address of a server from the console
LVM
Package management
User creation
List content of print queue
List/edit cronjob
Where are the system logs

From a non-technical front incident and change management, documentation.
Click to expand...

I haven't looked these up:

What software would you use to log into a server?
SSH, Telnet

How would see the ip-address of a server from the console
ifconfig

LVM


Package management


User creation
adduser
passwd

List content of print queue
lpq -P nameofprinter

List/edit cronjob

Where are the system logs
var/log/messages
 
One question they asked me in the first round which I got wrong or not correct was something like:

You've received a call from a user saying that when they login none of the network shares are connecting. What could be the problem?

I didn't know if they meant windows network shares or samba shares....
 
opethdisciple said:
One question they asked me in the first round which I got wrong or not correct was something like:

You've received a call from a user saying that when they login none of the network shares are connecting. What could be the problem?

I didn't know if they meant windows network shares or samba shares....
Click to expand...

did you just give them an answer or did you ask questions, eg pc connected to network, password changes

questions like that are a test of your problem solving skills, the actual resolution to the problem can change depending upon what questions you ask
you dont have to get the question right , just show your thinking in the right direction

think of questions to ask them ie
as a first line support are our questions scripted
what helpdesk system do you use
is it all remote or hands on client side, eg user is not getting shares at login
 
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Any one know of any good Linux Linux cram videos on YouTube?

A series of stuff I can watch over the weekend, that touches on the basic concepts in a Linux infrastructure.

The urban penguin seems quick good.
 
You're interviewing for a junior role. You're not expected to know everything. What they'll be looking for will be aptitude, a willingness to learn.
 
I'm gonna miss my current place of work. Been here 8 years now.

These people are my friends. It's got a family vibe to it.

It's casual, I can come in late and not get in to too much trouble.

However I have out grown the role and four full time admins means there isn't enough of the interesting stuff to go round.

Plus new place is going to pay me around 8-15k more dependant on how much training they think I need.

It's scary to think one day soon I will hand in my notice and then, one day walk out the building for the last time. But I cant be sentimental about this. Business is business right?!!

I have to think about me.

(And new place provide training. Which current work place doesn't)
 
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Yes business is business they are work friends.

Well done on getting the job.

Changing jobs is important, keeps your skills fresh, keeps you challenged and on the cutting edge, if a job is comfy and easy then I think it's time to move on.
 
They offered me the role, but I didn't like the place, so boring and bland. Where I work currently is way more fun and interesting.

I've since spoken to my manager and aired a lot of my issues. We also spoke of money and he said he will see what he can do. I have only asked for what I'm worth in the open market.

---

I actually wanted to speak about my career direction.

At the moment where I work is all open source. We only use Widows for the desktop and as VM's running anti virus/WSUS's etc....

I've been here 8 years now. I'm going to stay for one more year. But next year I am going to study. As all my experience is in Linux this has sort of rail roaded me in to this career path. I don't feel like there is any point in going and doing any MS certificates as I don't have daily exposure to MS Server and exchange etc....

My plan is to study for the LPIC level 1 and 2 to start off with. I also want to study for the Cisco CCNA. I feel like with these under my belt, this would be a good platform to build on.

I am very interested in the CCNA security cert. Although I could also go on and do some of the LPIC 3 material.

I want to move away from end user support which is what I do currently. I would say my role is 1st and 2nd line.

Am I on the right lines above with my plans?

---

Just to add, I don't think passing the LPIC1, LPIC2 AND the CCNA in one year is feasible.

But if I can get the LPIC1 & 2 done (4 exams) that would be very good.
 
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opethdisciple said:
They offered me the role, but I didn't like the place, so boring and bland. Where I work currently is way more fun and interesting.
Click to expand...

Yes, you're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you, and if you've spotted that you don't like the environment, good for you.

I've since spoken to my manager and aired a lot of my issues. We also spoke of money and he said he will see what he can do. I have only asked for what I'm worth in the open market.
Click to expand...

I hope you were very careful indeed in what you said.

My plan is to study for the LPIC level 1 and 2 to start off with. I also want to study for the Cisco CCNA. I feel like with these under my belt, this would be a good platform to build on.
Click to expand...

I'm entirely unfamiliar with LPIC, but I would go Cisco before MS as it's more immediately transferable to other companies.
 
I personally use 'ifconfig', but I know some people (particularly Red Hat'ers) who would mark you down for not using 'ip ...', i.e. ip addr list, etc.

Congrats on the new gig, and definitely go for LPI qualifications over Red Hat ones - just my 2p.
 
SMN said:
I personally use 'ifconfig', but I know some people (particularly Red Hat'ers) who would mark you down for not using 'ip ...', i.e. ip addr list, etc.

Congrats on the new gig, and definitely go for LPI qualifications over Red Hat ones - just my 2p.
Click to expand...

ifconfig is depreciated, and should avoid being used... It is not even default in many distros now.
 
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