Employer Q&A

Given that you're looking at this at all, you are probably at least potentially interested in hiring me. So, here are the answers to some of the typical questions you would probably ask me at an interview.

What sort of position are you interested in?

As the resume says, a challenging position where I can work as a Unix, networks and (data)com administrator, giving me the possibility to learn and grow. I'm primarily a technical person, so I'm looking for a job with an emphasis on behind the scenes technical work. I don't mind working the occasional 80 hour week when a true emergency arises, but I try to keep the year average around 40 hours per week. International travel will be a big plus, international relocation will be considered.

What sort of company would you like to work for?

The ideal company would be a reasonably small, technology driven company or department with an informal culture. If part of a larger organization, it shouldn't stifle the department with burocracy, policy and paperwork. If in the Netherlands, my primary office should be located no more than about 45 minutes driving from Amersfoort, although I don't mind one or two days per week for site visits further away. Depending on how flexible the hours are, a wider range can be considered, as can be relocation to a part of the Netherlands where a house is still somewhat affordable. The working environment should be relaxed and informal; I don't insist on "shorts and T-shirt", but if I have to wear a suit on a day-to-day basis and keep a strict 9 to 5 schedule, either forget it, or we're moving into a very high price bracket. Advancement should be possible without having to go into management.

How about working at client sites?

The same conditions would apply, although if travel time were compensated in time a longer commute would be acceptable.

What do you feel are your greatest strengths?

I am a very fast learner, and good at picking up skills and knowledge without formal training. I have a knack for finding solutions that are both elegant and robust, often working with available means. I'm also proficient in both English and Dutch, and can understand written Swedish reasonably well. In addition, I'm fairly skilled in electronics and cabling, which can come in very handy for debugging hardware and networking problems.

What do you feel are your greatest weaknesses?

I am somewhat impatient with people who are slow to grasp new concepts or follow directions. I am easily bored, and when that happens I may wind up putting in less than full effort. In today's graphics-intensive world my sense of aesthetics is often considered to run towards the sober side, putting function before form.

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

As a senior administrator or troubleshooter, working on and having technical responsibility for advanced and large scale network and server installations; or as a roving troubleshooter for difficult and urgent issues. Perhaps giving management to a small department, but still spending most of my time on technical matters.

and in 20 ?

20 years is a long time in IT, and hard to predict.

How about branching off into software development?

As I said earlier, the future in IT is hard to predict, although at this time I don't have a desire to follow that path. I'm currently not a good coder, and I like the networks and operations side of things considerably better.

Your resume doesn't mention Windows NT. Are you really saying you've never touched it?

Although I have some experience with NT, it's not something I particularly enjoy, and I'm not looking for a job where NT or Win2000 administration would be a major part of my duties. However, I realize the realities of today's computing environment and wouldn't object to occasionally having to work on NT servers.

What skills would you like to learn?

I would like to acquire a much higher proficiency in shell and perl scripting, increase my Unix and Novell skills even further, and branch off into the networks side of things, like complex router and backbone switch configuration, the low level side of WAN links, wireless networking, and advanced network technologies. If an opportunity would arise to involve myself further with the voice side of things (both voice over IP and PABXen) I certainly wouldn't turn it down. And who knows what new technologies the future will bring?

What have you done about gaining skills?

Mostly picking up skills on the job and through playing with technology at home, where I have a reasonable test bed. Since my current position doesn't involve complex networking or large Unix installations, training and experience in those are some of the things I hope to gain in a new job. My current skills I have picked up mainly through self-study, experience, and peer knowledge transfer.

What benefits are important to you?

A reasonable number of vacation days and holidays; I'm tired of companies where 23 days of vacation are considered a maximum, or where mandatory vacation days at a customer are deducted from your balance. Telecommuting, at least some days, would not only be convenient but also show vision on the part of the employer. Health coverage is a given in the Netherlands, but will be an issue when working for a foreign employer. Most of all, though, I value help in keeping up to date and increasing my skills, through making available equipment and documentation to study on my own, actually letting me use those skills, and maybe some training classes. Paid travel to seminars and trade shows would be a good plus.

Why do you want to leave High Tech Automation?

High Tech Automation has been absorbed by its parent company, Ordina. This has meant a changeover to a Windows NT network and outsourcing of most network services to the parent company. All in all it has become an environment that offers too little challenge or possibility for growth in the direction that I envision for myself. To prevent myself from getting stuck in a rut I have started looking for another position where I can advance, as opposed to basically flying the pattern and clocking up hours.

Why wouldn't you want to leave High Tech Automation?

It's a pretty good place to work. The environment is relaxed and informal, the facilities are modern, I can pretty much come and go as I please as long as I'm available when some panic breaks out, the benefits are good, it's only a 25 minute commute, and I have a diverse range of responsibilities.

When you get home from work, do you have hobbies that broaden your horizon beyond IT?

Beyond computers, which I think should be a major hobby for any good systems administrator, my main hobby is classic cars. Apart from that, I enjoy a wide range of music, and have a keen interrest in aviation. At the moment that's mainly as an interrested observer, but I certainly intend to get a pilot license in the future.