John Green ⋅ Cary, NC Information Technology ⋅ 40 years experience

You can get Linux experience for the cost of $5 per month.

See linode.com and rent your own Linux instance. Then, you can say you have that experience.

In fact , you should use that newly rented Linux instance to host your web page.

An IT guy without a web page is like a car without gasoline.

Stefan Beyer ⋅ Kirkland, WA Wipro Ltd ⋅ 12 years experience

I've come across this often when applying for contract positions. If they want a skill you don't have, then teach yourself the basics either online or from a book - once you're comfortable enough to be able to learn more easily, then put it on your resume.

For some things, I label it as "Limited" experience on my resume, but only if that experience was explicitly called out in the job description - sometimes interviewers are willing to overlook limited experience in one area due to skills in another. Otherwise, I just mention it, but put it near the end of the list.

During the interview, make sure to bring up your limited experience if they ask about it, as well as your willingness and ease for improving on it as needed. Hear what they say in response. After all, you want to make sure you're a good fit for the position as much as they are.

Stevie Ray ⋅ Burnsville, MN Stevie Ray's Improv Company ⋅ 30 years experience

Sir:
This is not a direct answer to your question, but another tip as you move forward. Pay close attention to writing style and grammar. As a business owner, I work with clients from many different industries and I have repeatedly heard hiring managers and HR directors complain about the decline of communication skills in America.
For instance, four out of five resumes are thrown away without consideration because of poor grammar. Other candidates lose the job because, during the interview, they misuse words or communicate unprofessionally.
Also, companies worry about their image, and employees sending poorly crafted e-mails makes the company look bad. I mention this because your post was difficult to read due to lack of commas, run-on sentences, and lack of flow-of-thought. Writing is difficult because we want to write the same way we speak, but the brain reads differently than it listens.
I look for any obstacle that can stand in your way, so I encourage you to take extra time to sharpen up this skill. It could really make the difference.
Good luck to you!

Mike Cottell ⋅ Glen Head, NY Michael T Cottell Consulting ⋅ 42 years experience

Hi Darryle, you have received some excellent advice from all the other advisors to date and I agree with all, of it so I will approach this from a slightly different angle. In addition to following the listed advice, consider doing this for all jobs you are interested in:
1) Learn as much as you can about the company , where they are going, opportunities challenges etc. Visit their website, listen to an earnings call, search on line under news etc.
2) To the extent you can, ask yourself the question" what is it that would make the ideal candidate a success in that job or role?" Yes, you need the qualifications, what do they need as the output of that job ?
3) Learn as much as you can about the industry in general as outlined in point 1
4) Assess your " transferable skills" by searching that term on line and making a list of your skills , that may or may not be included in the job requisition.
5) Do the same thing for " traits" , those qualities you possess that make you attractive to any employer.
6) Now, you can approach any job offer, not only with a balance of the skills that you have, but a demonstrated knowledge of the company and industry as well as making sure that they see " the total you" in terms of all your worth.
7) Every resume sent must include a cover letter sent with a tailored approach to why you are the ideal candidate for that job, stressing all your skills, experience and knowledge as outlined.
8) In the interview, you do the same by being proactive and also asking them questions about their challenges and needs so you can respond in a manner where they see you as a solutions driven individual who can figure out even bigger tasks than the job has specified.
Again, terrific advice from the other advisors, I'm hoping to add another dimension. Good Luck to you Darryle , if you need more guidance specific to my suggestions, you can reach me at mtcottell55@gmail.com. Finally and most important, thank you for your service to our country.
Best Regards, Mike

David Eastman ⋅ Gresham, OR Gamma Therapeutics, Inc. ⋅ 35 years experience

Dear Darryle,

First of all, thank you for your service. Secondly, you are entering the most sought after profession in the world and so you should have little trouble landing a job. Cybersecurity is in the news--think true or false Russian hacking and true Chinese hacking--and so large and small organizations and certainly the Federal government are looking for people who can work in this field and your experience, education and security certifications certainly qualify you for the work.

I am one of those people who applies for EVERYTHING in my field of endeavor, highlighting the experience I have for the job requirements and low keying the experiences I don't have. I would think that entering an IT position is all about your capabilities and not their project or company focus and their list of responsibilities. You know that each company is going to have different work focus within the realm of the IT work and you simply have to communicate that you can do the work, whatever it is, and without the prior knowledge of it.

Getting more education as you seek work is always a positive endeavor, i.e., John Green's recommendation to take low cost Linux classes. Why not?!

I never, never let the list of responsibilities in a position opening slow me down or prevent me from applying for a job because some of the items on the list I have had no experience with but have the capability to do. Illustrate your value to the company as a trained IT professional, talk about your capabilities and promise, and you will do just fine.

I wish you much success in seeking the job you want and supports your commitment to your family.

Regards,

David F. Eastman, CEO
Gamma Therapeutics, Inc.
US Navy, Vietnam-ERA, Avionics Technician, P-3 ASW Warplanes

John NORDIN ⋅ Lake Forest, IL Independent Angel Investor ⋅ 37 years experience

Many job listings post requirements for the "perfect candidate" which, of course, does not exist. I have been guilty of doing this in the past and I have come to the conclusion that, in some cases, I shrunk my candidate pool too far right out of the gate.

If the listing is explicit eg using words like "mandatory", minimum X years, etc then you may encounter pushback if you are missing a particular skillset.

In addition to John's suggestion of getting some Linux exposure on your own I would also suggest that your resume emphasize traits such as being self-motivated and a quick study.
A good company hires for current skillsets and the ability/desire to acquire new skillsets.

Nicole Brender A Brandis ⋅ Cape Coral, FL Deloitte ⋅ 25 years experience

HI Darryle. It depends on the company you're applying to. If it is a company that does any work with the government, that employer has to be what they call "OFCCP compliant". For this type of company, you MUST meet the stated minimum requirements of the job to even get considered. So if the job states that Linux is required, you must have it. If it states it as preferred, you can still apply and be considered since it's then not considered a "basic qualification". There are not many companies out there that don't have these requirements - almost every medium to large company has to comply with OFCCP regs.

In the end, never try to cover up something you don't have. Be honest on your qualifications regardless.

Thank you for your service.

Brandon Berlin ⋅ East Hartford, CT Computer Science Corporation ⋅ 8 years experience

I always like to tell prospective job seekers it is ok to not know certain things and it is even ok to say you have no experience in what the company might be looking for. Most of the time, companies are looking for someone with an open mind and eager to work. Bringing in someone who has years and years of experience on a system might be good, but bringing in someone with little/no experience might better suit the needs of a company. As weird as it sounds, companies look for 'new' or 'fresh' blood to mold these individuals into the companies standards and policies. It is easier to train someone with little/no experience rather than to retrain someone who has a completely different viewpoint or who has been doing it a certain way for years.

When going into interviews, make sure you are always honest on what you know and what you don't know. For the things that you don't know, I always have said I do not have any background in that, but would love to learn and am always open to learning new things. This will show that while your honest, you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone and learn something new.

John is also right about the Linux experience...just get your feet wet and you can add that on your resume.

Good Luck with your job hunt!