I spent Monday applying for Linux and network jobs.
The first one was a Linux support technician post on Craigslist. Then network administrator roles, two more Craigslist posts, and a consulting conversation connected to Accenture. I attached the resume, said I was interested, and asked them to call.
One company replied fast enough to set up a noon phone call. The time moved, so I offered another slot later that day. There is no offer at the end of that thread.
The resume was long on actual systems. Windows, Unix, Linux, BSD, Mac OS, Solaris, Active Directory, Exchange, virtualization, scripted installs, network security, consulting, and network design. I described seven years across programming, support, administration, and running a technical services company.
I was still at SimAuthor and still running Praxis. I was looking while employed, not trying to explain an empty stretch. The SimAuthor job gave me a mixed Windows and Linux office, production services, databases, engineering labs, security systems, and an in-house data center to put on the page.
The applications were not polished. A couple had spelling mistakes. One Linux note went out almost empty, so I sent a full follow-up and then forwarded the reply to the right address.
Read the post. Send the resume. Fix the bad email. Schedule the call. Move to the next one.
By the end of March 6, I had covered most of the systems work I wanted to keep doing.
The replies did not turn the day into a job offer. They proved the material was moving and at least one person wanted to talk.