[mattyb]

What do I know ?

Operating Systems :
z/OS (mainframes), UNIX/Linux (AIX, Solaris, Red Hat, Debian, some HP-UX), Windows (yeah Server as well). Terminal doesn't scare me, I spend my days at a shell prompt.

Databases:
Oracle (present job, best experience), MySQL, SQL Server, some DB2 on z/OS, some IMS on z/OS

Development:
Uh, well, I rip off anything that I can find to make it do what I want. SQL, shell scripts, PL\SQL at a push but I'm more systems than development. Anything like C, C++, .NET etc is better done by someone else.

Apps:
I know sweet FA about typical Mac Pro Apps. I have never even used Photoshop. Gimp a bit when I had Linux as my primary OS at home, but nothing special.

I was thinking of trying to learn a bit more about OS X Server, but in monster (France) there are 0 jobs when I search for : OS X, OSX, Tiger, Leopard or Apple.

[Dakar the Fourth]

You're quickly turning into the British French macfantn.

[mattyb]

Is that good or bad ?

[Chuckit]

What do you want to do with Macs?

[olePigeon]

Check schools (Primary, Secondary, & Universities.) There're often lots of Macs there.

[@pplejaxkz]

Are you looking to literally work with Macs in a work environment or would you like to work in sales as well. I'm sure it would be easy to land a position as a Specialist at your local Apple store with the knowledge you have. Apple likes to hire a wide range of people. They like to have people who are strong in many different areas of technology. I was hired because I knew a Linux and was a recent switcher. It all depends on what you want to do.

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

Check schools (Primary, Secondary, & Universities.) There're often lots of Macs there.

This is also a good idea.
-------
A good place to start would be Apple.com/Jobs, but I assume you already knew that. Good luck!

[osxpro]

If your looking to work in a Mac Environment, a sure bet is to research all the businesses in your area that use them, IE - Graphics shops, prepress, printers. Another one is large business that have marketing departments.
The biggest factor is (and always has been) who you know! Get out there and meet people. 8 years ago I moved to a different state (for my wife's benefit) and didn't know a soul. I started my own consulting service and joined the local chamber of commerce. I met people and networked with business owners. I hit the pavement hard and made my contacts. I started small but I was able to sell myself and began building a reputation for getting things done with Macs. After a year of busting my butt I had a steady revenue stream. Several years later I was offered a job I couldn't refuse. One of my largest (then customer) who is one of the nations biggest prepress companies offered me full time employment. Now I travel the country to our different facilities taking care of hundreds of Macs, Etc.
I still do quite a bit of work on the side for my former clients (non wife-able income)!
I pull in nearly six figures between my side work and my official employment. It took 6 years from a fresh start to accomplish this but I did it in an area of the country that isn't huge on Macs.
The key is get yourself out there and provide a quality service that is in demand. The demand is there - you just have to find it & seize it!

[@pplejaxkz]

Originally Posted by osxpro 

If your looking to work in a Mac Environment, a sure bet is to research all the businesses in your area that use them, IE - Graphics shops, prepress, printers. Another one is large business that have marketing departments.
The biggest factor is (and always has been) who you know! Get out there and meet people. 8 years ago I moved to a different state (for my wife's benefit) and didn't know a soul. I started my own consulting service and joined the local chamber of commerce. I met people and networked with business owners. I hit the pavement hard and made my contacts. I started small but I was able to sell myself and began building a reputation for getting things done with Macs. After a year of busting my butt I had a steady revenue stream. Several years later I was offered a job I couldn't refuse. One of my largest (then customer) who is one of the nations biggest prepress companies offered me full time employment. Now I travel the country to our different facilities taking care of hundreds of Macs, Etc.
I still do quite a bit of work on the side for my former clients (non wife-able income)!
I pull in nearly six figures between my side work and my official employment. It took 6 years from a fresh start to accomplish this but I did it in an area of the country that isn't huge on Macs.
The key is get yourself out there and provide a quality service that is in demand. The demand is there - you just have to find it & seize it!

Excellent advice! Pretty impressive as well.

[mattyb]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

What do you want to do with Macs?

Solve problems. Make things go/run better/faster. I love doing this now with Oracle on UNIX/Linux. Its like solving a 10000 piece puzzle. Great fun.

Originally Posted by @pplejaxkz 

A good place to start would be Apple.com/Jobs, but I assume you already knew that. Good luck!

Yes, cheers, I looked at Apple jobs in France, only in Paris unfortunately. And I've done my big city time thanks. Maybe I'll try and convince Apple to setup a store in Toulouse - wonder what their magic numbers are for setting up a new store.

osxpro, you are inspiring. I have a feeling that nowadays a Mac sell is probably far easier as well. I shall start the research. There are some very large universities in Toulouse as well. Must be a Mac user group here (I've only been here for three months, and that time has been pretty full with new job, kids in school, apartment fixing up etc.).

Did you need to learn the Pro Apps in your environment?

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by mattyb 

Solve problems. Make things go/run better/faster. I love doing this now with Oracle on UNIX/Linux. Its like solving a 10000 piece puzzle. Great fun.

I could be wrong but I don't think there's too much call for someone to tune Mac apps. Unlike Oracle things are pretty self-contained. Solving problems fit under the support umbrella and so the advice of others about searching out shops that have Macs is your best bet.

[@pplejaxkz]

I know if you were going to actually work with Apple the position of "Mac Genius" would be great for you. But MacosNerd is right, seek out shops that have Macs.

[abe]

Just go in and fill out an application.




Who knows? It might turn into a well paying career.

[mattyb]

Why thankyou abe. Are MacDonalds large Mac users?

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by mattyb 

Why thankyou abe. Are MacDonalds large Mac users?

Duh,

they have the Big Mac

[mattyb]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

Duh,

they have the Big Mac

Ok, next time I'll put gigantic SARCASM tags around my posting.

I may be an Englishman in France, but I'm not a complete f**kwit. Well thats what my mum says anyway.

[abe]

Originally Posted by mattyb 

Why thankyou abe. Are MacDonalds large Mac users?

Maybe they do. But if not maybe you could persuade them to flip, er, switch?

[abe]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

Duh,

they have the Big Mac

[badidea]

edit: too late

[mattyb]

Originally Posted by badidea 

edit: too late

Yeah I agree, abe cannot be saved.