Reply to: Infrastructure Engineer work - not much around? or is there?

[Brenning]

I'm going for EDS/HP in the LSA, Blackpool, Fylde area?

Its not no, do they offer a wide range of experience across a lot of tech there or is it a case of small cog in big machine? I.e only look after 1 thing.

Thanks for the replies everyone else - still reading through them

Brenning

[Sausage Surprise]

Hi All,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm an infrastructure engineer based in the north west with around 10 years experience and was hoping to get into the contracting industry. After looking around though, there doesn't seem to be too much work out there at all.
Brenning

I'm going for EDS/HP in the LSA, Blackpool, Fylde area?
I too was an "Infrastructure Engineer" (whatever that is) when I jumped ship from EDS in 2005. Never looked back.

[rapid]

From a lab point of view you can't beat apple hardware on price.. I tried and other people tried but apple makes the best spec hardware at the best price. I think alienware do something better spec but its the size of a desktop.

You're not going to get a role supporting something you haven't got experience in.. Simple as that.. However sometimes they just want the basic admin covered which you can learn in a lab.. Then once youre in its a case of self learning and growing those skills outside of the office.

Target roles where they need strong skills in what you know and side skills on what you need to grow in.. I'm always honest in interviews about my knowledge, lie and it won't take long to be found out.

I also hold a view that willingness, motivation and team fit applies to contracting.. Some will say companies don't care, they just want an experienced techie to come in but my view is the person counts for a lot.

R

[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.

[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.

[Brenning]

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

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[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.

[vwdan]

Do you have a skill beyond 'Microsoft'? Everyone and their dog claims to know the general MS Infrastructure stack and while there is a HUGE variance in quality it's tough to compete on skill in a crowded market.

[northernladuk]

Which is also rubbish. Clients dont hold off on projects that deliver cost savings and enhance their business just because it's a bit close to xmas etc.