Since June last year there has been a significant rise in the need for Linux expertise in the job market. Cloud-based infrastructures, virtualization, server implementation and many other back office services are increasingly becoming more Linux oriented, so a new breed of Linux worker is needed. There have always been Linux UNIX admins out there, and just because something is explicitly Linux doesn't mean that a good Windows-based administrator or technician can't get to grips with the complexities of the operating system.

However, this recent rise is something that could very well work to the advantage of younger readers or those whose children are at that age where more exposure to Linux could help them in the future. I took a few minutes to trawl the popular job sites. Looking for Linux specific roles, and I was quite impressed. Just within the last month, .there have been 491 jobs posted on CWJobs.co.uk (at the time of writing) that require skills In Linux. They range from server system admins and analysts through to desktop support, development work and even a number of entries for Linux hackers!

This list was derived from looking within London and the surrounding 30 miles, but the same distance using Manchester resulted in 100 jobs, Birmingham 30 jobs, Glasgow 15 jobs, Edinburgh 20 Jobs and Leeds 50 Jobs- all with Linux in mind, What's more, I ran a search on jobserve.com one of the biggest online job sites going, and just within seven days across 27 Industries, with Linux as the keyword, we managed to collect an impressive 1,215 available jobs made up of both permanent and contract posts.

The Time Is Now
Naturally despite there being an increase In Linux jobs, there's probably a couple of hundred of applicants for each post. It's a depressing thought, true, but it's also one that you need to take on board if you're looking to get into a job using UNIX as your main occupation.

Being able to install the latest version of Linux Mint isn't going to impress many potential employers, so you'll have to stretch your skills and start to delve more into the business side of running Linux as a server, as opposed to a desktop 05. I can't tell you what to look for, but the main focus of many of the Linux related jobs I went through appear to be duster based domain based, Infrastructure based, development and visualization.

If you can target these sections and use the open community to further boost your skills, get some ideas out there and maybe contribute to something, then you'll have something worthwhile to put on your CV. Take a moment to have a look through the available jobs and see what the employers are looking for.

If they mention a specific software suite, distro or element, then research it and see if you can get hold of a copy. Also, don't be afraid to call up the agency and ask a few questions; sometimes they can be very helpful, other times not so much. Stay positive, stay focused, and good luck with the job hunting, retraining or starting off anew.