Linux Journal: Where the Jobs Are

“The Linux skills set used to be a sure ticket to a top system
administrator or developer job, paying as much as $100,000, and ome
desperate Silicon Valley firms went as far as adding bonus cash or
cars. “Even two years ago, when people were scarce, putting
L-i-n-u-x on your resume along with your other skills meant you
were going to get the job”, said Jeff Markham, metro market manager
with RHI Consulting in San Francisco.

“While today it’s still true that Linux/UNIX administrators may
find jobs faster than Microsoft NT/2000/XP administrators–one
mid-2002 study found a proportionally stronger demand for UNIX
skills–the job climate has changed dramatically with the
technology meltdown.

“An informal survey of employers, employment recruiters,
contracting firms, universities and Linux pros shows that job
hunters now find: stiffer requirements, a tighter market, leveled
salaries, new job responsibilities and new thinking on
certification. They’re more likely to find jobs in the Midwest than
in the traditional technology hotbeds of Silicon Valley, North
Carolina’s Triangle and the Pacific Northwest. And, recent
graduates and older workers (in this case, that’s over 39) may have
the most difficult time…”

Complete Story