Infrastructure Engineer work - not much around? or is there?

[rapid]

Ensure your CV is good and lists your skills, include a matrix after each role dumping the tech you were implementing/supporting etc. Upload to jobsite, await your phone to ring 1-6 times a day.

There's work out there, lots of wintel, vmware, citrix etc etc..

Get self studying to cover off any weaker areas, lay out the money for the top spec macbook pro and get a lab up, you won't regret it.

[Brenning]

Ensure your CV is good and lists your skills, include a matrix after each role dumping the tech you were implementing/supporting etc. Upload to jobsite, await your phone to ring 1-6 times a day.

There's work out there, lots of wintel, vmware, citrix etc etc..

Get self studying to cover off any weaker areas, lay out the money for the top spec macbook pro and get a lab up, you won't regret it.

Thanks for the reply, couple of questions:

Why a macbook pro?
Do you think running vms etc at home is enough to get into a contract using the tech? for example I see most roles asking for proven experience in a production / enterprise environment, not sure if installing citrix on a couple of vms on my pc counts ?

Or am I thinking about the whole thing incorrectly, should I be applying for contracts that are demanding citrix etc even though I don't have experience in that area?

Brenning

[northernladuk]

Or am I thinking about the whole thing incorrectly, should I be applying for contracts that are demanding citrix etc even though I don't have experience in that area?

Brenning

So how do you think you are going to get a role at a client looking for a specialist to help them out when you don't have the skills? Not forgetting the point that there will be a whole host people applying for these roles with years of exactly the right skills. You have to apply a bit of common sense and the think about the situation.

[Brenning]

So how do you think you are going to get a role at a client looking for a specialist to help them out when you don't have the skills? Not forgetting the point that there will be a whole host people applying for these roles with years of exactly the right skills. You have to apply a bit of common sense and the think about the situation.

This was exactly my thoughts, just checking I'm not missing something. Seems logical to ask people who already do this kind of thing and gives me a bit of an insight into what actually goes on in the contracting world. Sal mentioned he got some free server 2012 experience from a client co so who knows...

Brenning

[northernladuk]

You can get it when you are in possibly but as a contractor you are selling your skills to a client. You are not selling yourself as a potential asset to the company or the fact you are a nice guy. If you don't understand what your are selling or don't understand what the client is after you will be spending a hell of a lot if time on the bench.

[Brenning]

You can get it when you are in possibly but as a contractor you are selling your skills to a client. You are not selling yourself as a potential asset to the company or the fact you are a nice guy. If you don't understand what your are selling or don't understand what the client is after you will be spending a hell of a lot if time on the bench.

Sounds spot on.

I assume you're a contractor? Or have been before, or maybe an agency?

How did you find yourself arriving at contracting?

Brenning

[northernladuk]

Sounds spot on.

I assume you're a contractor? Or have been before, or maybe an agency?

How did you find yourself arriving at contracting?

Brenning

I was born to be a contractor. My mum was in labour for 4 hours with me. When I opened my first company I billed her for 3 of those hours for wasting my time. Being family I let her off the first hour cause I am a nice guy.

[Brenning]

Anyone out there care to share a bit of background info?

[northernladuk]

Anyone out there care to share a bit of background info?

Have you tried searching for some information using the search as detailed in the FAQ sections. We have had loads of threads on why people went contracting and all sorts of other questions.

Don't want to be rude but it sounds like you need to pull your socks up, toughen up and fire in. It's no playground contracting.

[sal]

Thanks for the reply, couple of questions:

Why a macbook pro?
Do you think running vms etc at home is enough to get into a contract using the tech? for example I see most roles asking for proven experience in a production / enterprise environment, not sure if installing citrix on a couple of vms on my pc counts ?

Or am I thinking about the whole thing incorrectly, should I be applying for contracts that are demanding citrix etc even though I don't have experience in that area?

Brenning

Probably because MBP has one of the best balances of power/weight/screen/battery life out there. Any laptop/desktop with 16GB+ RAM will suffice. The home lab is not for gaining new core skill and trying to get a contract in it. It's for gaining side skills that can make you more desirable to the client when compared to someone with just core skills. And it lets you know the basics, so when there is a chance to get involved with the said tech while already on the job you have a jump start.

An yeah like NLUK already explained, it's not a good idea to apply for a contract for tech you only have theoretical skills in. Even if you manage to fool the agent, you will be shredded on any half-decent tech interview.