I've put myself forward for a job with a firm I really wouldn't mind working for. I am currently a customer of theirs and so know the tech staff quite well.

Problem is they actually want a Mind-Controlled Slave of the Empire (MCSE) whereas I've spent my career so-far avoiding M$ server products but I know that they desperately need a *NIX specialist (ie ME! - I know my profile says 'noob' but I'd been into UNIX for about 2 yearsbefore finding the penguin).

1) How do I blag the M$ server questions? (Without always saying 'well I'd run a linux box with samba as the PDC and...')

2) If that fails, how do I convince them that they're looking for the wrong thing?

TIA

Well first, you have to know a bit about Windows, just answer them correctly. I wouldn't go in there just talking about *nix or they're gonna turn you down quickly. You could mention that your also familiar with *nix but I wouldn't blatently tell them they need to run it just yet.

If you go in there trying to change their way immediately, they're not going to consider you at all from my standpoint.

Me personally, if I was interviewing someone and they came in just telling me I should do this or that, they would get denied quickly. You can't just walk into a place and start changing the way the conduct business right away, its got to be more of a gradual process, get the job, then introduce them to alternatives.

I have this problem too. With a financial software company I'm going to a second interview for. Their customers are already using Linux - of that I'm nearly 100%. But the clever eagle hides it's talons.

I'll mention that I have worked with Linux (hey I might even pronounce it "Lyee-nucks"!) but I won't say too much. I got my fingers burnt once doing this because even the most fervent of Microsoft supporters has suspected for a long time that Linux is actually superior. And they hate someone rubbing it in their face. DON'T MAKE THAT MISTAKE.

The force waits for the patient mind, young Padoowan.

Bert :P

Micro$oft is entrenched in business unfortunately. Whilst most of us know that Linux runs circles around Windoze and other MS products, it's a reality that in just about any organisation you work in, that Micro$oft will be there in some way, shape or form.