From dev to sysadmin - help needed

Posted by thegunslinger78@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 7 comments

Hey all!

I’m a former web developer who primarily worked with (sadly for this one) PHP and then Ruby.

After more than 8 years of development which were a rocky road, I wanted to try the sys admin path.

Let’s be honest here, I keep developing a personal project on which I am the only dev. I try to provide test coverage through automated testing everywhere. Yet I DON’T like coding. For me I find it interesting when what I work on actually helps people and improves user experience. I find writing code by itself cumbersome.

Not to mention that working on tools like an ERP or for example something that displays contracts and invoices are as generic as it gets. There’s just no passion for it.

During my time I managed to learn how to use Linux with Debian, Apache and it’s configuration with PHP, Windows and Powershell. I also learned how to use Docker to be able to run my personal project on Windows and MacOS. Kubernettes is a tough one but I think I understand the idea but lack experience.

Since I have free time, I managed to learn subnetting and IPv6.

SQL is, I think my best asset.

After months of searching a job, there’s a single company which gave me a tech interview for a sysadmin role around Paris (France) for nearly 300 applications for sysadmin positions.

Any advice?

I don’t mind moving abroad if need be. Preferably in the EU, Canada and the US are possibilities I’m willing to consider.

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akornato@reddit

Your experience with Linux, Apache, Docker, and SQL are valuable assets in the sysadmin world. The key is to emphasize these skills and how they translate to system administration tasks. Focus on your ability to troubleshoot, your understanding of server environments, and your experience with deployment processes.

Don't be discouraged by the low response rate to your applications. The job market can be tough, especially when changing fields. Keep applying and consider expanding your search to include DevOps or SRE roles, which often blend development and sysadmin skills. In the meantime, continue building your skills with hands-on projects and consider pursuing relevant certifications to boost your credibility. If you're struggling with tricky interview questions or need help preparing for your next opportunity, I'd recommend checking out interviews.chat I'm on the team that created it, and it's designed to help people navigate the job search process and ace their interviews.

thegunslinger78@reddit (OP)

Only one tech interview out of 300 applications isn’t an appealing outcome for sysadmin role.

I widened the search to QA, dev (but I don’t think coding would hold on the long run), front end dev.

A tough moment. I would happily leave my own country to get a job really.

CeC-P@reddit

I'm also a former web dev and .NET programmer turned sysadmin :D Know hardware and performance! DO NOT buy the wrong computers for what you're doing. That is the #1 most common that and the #1 thing that pisses me off about corporate IT people. They don't know anything about performance.

Also, don't trust any vendor. Before you meet with a prospective software or service vendor, look up all the complaints you can find about them online and then ask them about them to their face in the meeting.

Also, implement some way to stop Apple cult member fanboys from receiving any position of any kind at your company. As a secondary measure, push for a basic computer competency and typing test for all applicants. They're dirt cheap from third parties and will prevent nightmare employees from holding irreplaceable positions.

You do work as a Sys admin now? How did you do it?

As the owner of an M1 Mac, ARM is the way. I hope we see more and more ARM PCs. 5W idle is unbeatable compared to x86 PC.

pdp10@reddit

Your strength is very much server-side even with that addition of PowerShell, so avoid letting yourself be roped into a position that's heavy on End-User Support. Neither you nor the site will benefit. Some people, particularly those identifying as IT Managers, believe that any SA (System Administrator) knows how to do EUS, which couldn't be further from the truth.

Hence comes one of my biggest fears. Being relegated to end-user support job s which are basically the lowest level job one could hope for with a tech background.

ConfectionCommon3518@reddit

Sysadmin is basically keeping your arse safe as it's our job to keep that DB up and running so you can Ponce around and do something and keep the investors happy..