[geeks] Jobhunt frustration

[Andrew Weiss]

We've all been here... I am so considering finding a job description I
really like and know I can do and just lying my way in... the problem is
my prime internal directives against any form of non-truth... I have
difficulty massaging facts in my favor if I have any self-doubt at all
and as I have found out I either don't interview well 80% of the time,
or I fail the phone screen...

Here's an example of a really cool looking position I know I could
handle but don't have what they're asking for:

MusicVision is a full service <blah>

Were seeking a Network Administrator to support 46 local and remote
users in a Windows 2000/Unix networking environment; supervise Help
Desk / Desktop Support Specialist and respond to requests via phone,
email, and in person; work alongside Internet Operations team to ensure
secure, reliable access to resources; administer all internal servers
and provide support for LAN, WAN, VPN, and dial-up clients; assist with
testing and evaluation of branded ISP packages as necessary; perform
regular updates to Intranet website and IT documentation; and support
desktops, laptops, telephones, email, file & print servers. This
position reports directly to the CTO.

Candidates should have 1-2 years experience in a supervisory, team lead,
or project manager role. Must possess excellent verbal/written
communication and customer service skills. "Can do", "willing to wear
many hats" and "take on new roles as required" attitudes will thrive in
this environment. Must be a motivated self-starter, possessing excellent
time management and prioritization skills with the ability to work
unsupervised  : A RESOUNDING YES


and have the following REQUIRED technical skills:

- 3-4 years hands-on experience as a Windows 2000/Unix Network
Administrator           YES (NT/Unix however)
- 6+ months exposure to Active Directory, preferably in a mixed
NT/2000/Mac/Unix environment NOPE (but I understand it very well)
- 6+ months experience dealing with Merlin Magix/Messaging (WinSPM) and
Lucent/Avaya telco equipment (Heck no)
- Understanding of TCP/IP-based protocols including DHCP, DNS, PPTP/VPN,
HTTP, FTP, SSH, SCP (yes, but light on VPN and no SCP)
- Experience administering UNIX-based email systems such as Majordomo
and Sendmail (Sendmail yes , Majordomo no)
- MS Office 2000, Outlook 2000 with Internet Mail (SMTP/POP3)
configuration, IIS 5.0, SQL 7.0, NAV 7.0 (Yes to all except SQL 7.0)
- Familiarity with remote desktop software such as Timbuktu Pro (Of
course)
- Knowledge of Cisco routers and switches (I am a CCNP; Certainly so)
- Experience with ArcServe 2000 (SQL, Open File Backup Agent) and DLT
backup devices  (Knowledge of... yes experience with no...MS Backup and
Tar... My silly startup company couldn't afford anything else)
- In-depth knowledge of NT/2000/9x/ME hardware and software
troubleshooting (escalations) (Done this stuff for more than 7 years)
- Knowledge of MS-DOS and LAN Manager boot disk creation (e.g.
RapiDeploy, Ghost) preferred (Never done it but I'm sure it's easier
than scooping dirt with a backhoe the size of Texas)
- SalesLogix database administration experience desired (Ummm ok
what?... Dude give me a book... no problem)
- Experience with Track-It! or similar help desk / inventory software
desired (I have the demo CD in my desk drawer)


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Thoughts?  Fibs normally get the "STUPID" in trouble, but my point is...
I am just too honest .... I need the cocky but not too cocky bastard
interviewing skills ...

Andrew