Junior Systems Adminstrator at SAIC

bhs00

I have an interview set for tomorrow for a Junior Systems Adminstrator position. Does anyone have any pointers as to what this title would be?? From the description it will involve moving and disposing of "desktops, servers, infrastructure, VTC and telephony devices". It also says "Other responsibilities will be desktop placement and configuration, server installation and configuration to include successful completion of test plans before migration". And the desired skills are "MCP, MCSE or MCSA certification preferred. Knowledge with CITRIX, VFM, VMWare, Oracle and SLQ DB Administration". I am an MCP and I have one exam left before I am MCSA (the best is left). We have Citrix in place where I work currently and I have played with VMWare server on my own. I have no clue as to what VFM is and im not to knowledgeable about databases. Do you guys think this would be a permanent position or just a contract type deal? It doesnt tell on the website. I always assumed junior systems admin jobs were permanent. Any ideas as to what the interview might be like?

Any help would be appreciated.

NetAdmin2436

Sounds like some good questions to ask the interviewer tomorrow. Asking them a lot of questions makes you seam like you are very interested in the position, they like that. We could sit here and speculate, but it's better to get it straight from them. Every company operates a little differently.

I'd spend some extra time on their website learning about what they do. This also shows some fore thought on your part which again, employers like that. So if they ask you what you know about their company you have some idea and don't give a blank stare.

bhs00

true. Because Ive been there done that.

arwes

I've got a friend that works for them over at Marshall Space Flight Center. He certainly seems to like them a lot better than who previously had the NASA contract (CSC). If it was a temp job, they probably would've said that in the description. I think you've got most of what they're looking for so you shouldn't have any problems with not having experience with one or two things. I had a phone interview years ago at MSFC when it was run by CSC and the manager really liked me, but CSC HR wouldn't count consulting as work experience so I didn't meet their minimum 3 years of experience.

doobies

My first post.. yeah...

From exp.

Contracting is risky and rewarding. You have to remember to look out for yourself at all times.

Certain things you want to ask. If this is your first job however.. you may not need to ask these questions as experience should be the only thing you want to get out of it... maybe a clearance too if your lucky.

Find out what the status of the contract is if its not classified info.
--Don't want to get hired for a month and get rolled off.
Length of time of the contract.
--For career planning purposes
Clearance required (even tho it should be in the description)
But it is an important question. If your finances are screwed or have any legal issues past or present, it will be a problem. It sucks to see people accept job offers. Get into the door and not be able to get cleared and get rolled off. Specially if you have to move to take the job or quit another job.

In addition the higher the clearance the more intrusive things are. If your not comfy with that then you may wanna rethink anything higher than a secret clearance. Also be upfront about stuff. Don't lie, tell the truth about every little dumb thing you may have done. They higher up you go in your career what you say on you baby clearances can catch up with you if discrepencies are found.


--Personalities/age /breakdown profile of the team you will be with. (Just to know if you will fit in....)

-- Question about training opportunities. Tuition reimbursement. Stuff that lets them know your in it for the long haul.

--THE CLIENT!!!! Find out who you are supporting and their expectations... (and be aware that they might be in the interview with your contractor. Thats if they care about what they are paying for).
--The Project man. expectations. SLA's.
-- The project specifically what you will be doing. There are some places that interview you for one position on paper..and you get there and find its nothing but a help desk. My first job i was an admin with out the Title. LOL. Was hired for a helpdesk coordinator tho...

--Avoid pay questions. Do your research on your area and the pay. Negate your salary with the recruiter but not during the interview. If you will be getting a clearance tho....don't worry about the pay. Worry about that with your next job and answer lol. *whatever the avg for someone with my skills is a good answer*

-- Workload - Gives you idea of how stressed/busy you will be. Also goes into the team profile question. Lets you know if they are over/under staffed. Which also helps in negotiations.

-- Think of questions that show intrest in the job you SHOULD have intrest in. Also questions that show intrest in your company and expanding the companies bottom line.

Unless your job is going to be supporting SAIC directly in there corporate offices... it will be contracting. Contracts are never permanent. NEVER... EVER permanent. The longer the contract the better however. which is why i say ask. IF its in recompete... (beware), on a bridge (meeh.. be leery and ask questions on the health) anything else ala its new or just sendding out RFP's ... then your secure.

Congrats... I hope you get get the job seriously. Where will it be located/where are you located.


As a side note... keep in touch with the recruiter. Even if you don't get the job. I interviewd for a job once.. got passed up on it and my recruiter shot me over to a different area on the same contract. It worked out in my favor as i got the same level clearance with a 10k pay cut. Year later... the manager that passed me up was begging me to be on his team. 1 month later I was offered another position at a nother firm making a helluva lot more with a higher clearance.


You get screwed on your first contracting job.. but after you get in the in crowd your golden. Good luck.. pm me if you got any other questions.

BradleyHU

those are definitely questions you want to ask the person who is interviewing you. I went on to the SAIC site, and looked at the position, and it sounds like a Desktop Support/Sys Admin position....

bhs00

The interview seemed to go really well. The secretary called last Friday and said she was asked to "push my application through the offer process". I know she called at least one of my references. Does this sound like a close to sure thing now or do you think I still have a ways to go before I know if I get on the contract? I hope the next step is an offer. I think this would be a wonderful opportunity.

darkerosxx

"Pushing it through the offer process" means they're fast tracking the paperwork/approvals required to extend an offer to you for the position.

Good luck!

bhs00

darkerosxx wrote: »

"Pushing it through the offer process" means they're fast tracking the paperwork/approvals required to extend an offer to you for the position.

Good luck!

So that sounds good right?

qwertyiop

bhs00 wrote: »

The interview seemed to go really well. The secretary called last Friday and said she was asked to "push my application through the offer process". I know she called at least one of my references. Does this sound like a close to sure thing now or do you think I still have a ways to go before I know if I get on the contract? I hope the next step is an offer. I think this would be a wonderful opportunity.

That sounds like your as good as in, just wait for the official offer

networker050184

Sounds like you got the job to me, but I would wait until you get an offer on paper to be sure.

bhs00

I have been offered the job as of today.

qwertyiop

bhs00 wrote: »

I have been offered the job as of today.

Congrats, are you going to take it?

bhs00

I am. Im just worried about the security clearance. Just because I dont know what they'll ask.

apena7

bhs00 wrote: »

...because I dont know what they'll ask.

Bless me father, for I have sinned.....

Whatever they ask, answer truthfully. Otherwise, you'll be worried about some little bit of info coming up when you least expect it. During the interview, at least the element of surprise is removed.

The last thing you need to worry about in a new job is the past coming and biting you.

bhs00

I had the interview, but they didn't really say much about day to day activities. Based on the job title of junior systems administrator, does anyone have any ideas as to what I will actually be doing?? There were no technical questions during the interview. Just mainly talking about how contracts work. The job is full time by the way.

Knives Out

bhs00 wrote: »

I had the interview, but they didn't really say much about day to day activities. Based on the job title of junior systems administrator, does anyone have any ideas as to what I will actually be doing?? There were no technical questions during the interview. Just mainly talking about how contracts work. The job is full time by the way.

So how'd it go, did you start the job already or..?

I'm an SAIC employee, in Canada though. The contract I'm working on is with the provincial gov't is in the healthcare industry. I'm a network administrator and have been with SAIC for 3 years now.

WillTech105

I'm actually interested as well -- how is it going?

bhs00

I start on Tuesday. Today is my last day at my current job. Im kind of scared. I just hope im not in over my head. I think it'll go well. Its be a step up for me. Are SAIC folks usually nice or hateful?? I will keep you guys posted.

Big Jizay

I think you'll do just fine. Just be humble enough to learn in this position, but also be confident in your abilities

Knives Out

bhs00, everyone at SAIC I've encountered in the health solutions business unit thus far have been incredible. Good luck in your new job!!

bhs00

I started today. Lots of paperwork. LOL. Thanks for the support everyone.

bhs00

Day 2 Im extremely overwhelmed right now. I work with a senior level systems admin and an asrchitect doing the same thing. I still don't know what I will be doing. Kind of scared. I just hope I am not in over my head. Wish me luck everyone. I'm gonna need it.

networker050184

Good luck!

I'm sure you will catch on in no time. That first week or two is always stressful.

cbigbrick

bhs00 wrote: »

Day 2 Im extremely overwhelmed right now. I work with a senior level systems admin and an asrchitect doing the same thing. I still don't know what I will be doing. Kind of scared. I just hope I am not in over my head. Wish me luck everyone. I'm gonna need it.

Best piece of advice I can give you is relax and take notes. Get a notebook & wWrite down a list of everything you need to get familiar with in the environment. Software, network equipment, servers, diagrams, documentation, etc. The best way from me to learn is volunteer to help with the documentation. People love that and you can get a great over view of whats going on. In a few weeks time you should be rock'n and roll'n....:D

bhs00

Yes. I feel a little better today about it. Hopefully I can get started on something soon. I mean I'm only junior sys admin. Surely the don't expect me to have the knowledge of the senior sys admin and network architect/engineer I work with. Right?

networker050184

bhs00 wrote: »

Yes. I feel a little better today about it. Hopefully I can get started on something soon. I mean I'm only junior sys admin. Surely the don't expect me to have the knowledge of the senior sys admin and network architect/engineer I work with. Right?

I'd assume the junior would mean that you would be able to go to the senior or architect if you cant figure something out. If they expect you to know as much as the more seniors I hope the pay is the same

bhs00

networker050184 wrote: »

I'd assume the junior would mean that you would be able to go to the senior or architect if you cant figure something out. If they expect you to know as much as the more seniors I hope the pay is the same

you were right. Basically the Juniors in this job assist the senior admins. We do the tedious work handed down from them. Or so that is how it has been so far. Keep wishing me luck. So far I like it. I kind of have a grasp of whats going on now.

Icecube0045

bhs00 wrote: »

you were right. Basically the Juniors in this job assist the senior admins. We do the tedious work handed down from them. Or so that is how it has been so far. Keep wishing me luck. So far I like it. I kind of have a grasp of whats going on now.

How is their pay? And is it a contract position?

rsutton

Congratulations! Junior Sys Admin is a good stepping stone from help desk to back end stuff.