You have a new manager – now what do you do?
We’ve all been there – a recent re-org or maybe your boss gets promoted or your boss leaves and you end up with a new manager. As I have mentored people over the years, I’d say that the most common...
View ArticleYou got promoted, now what?
Leadership in most companies is not really something explicitly practiced. Generally, a few people who are naturally inclined kind of do their thing while the rest of the leadership ranks sort of...
View ArticleThe Importance of Effective Communication at Work
There are many different personality traits found in individuals in our industry. One trait that I’ve found dominant in technical roles is that of introversion. This trait is one that often manifests...
View ArticleNobody says it but we all feel like frauds
I am going to deviate a little bit from my normal career advice here and talk about something a bit more personal for me. I have told this story to colleagues at times over the past several years, and...
View Article7 Tips For Improving Your Communications Skills at Work
In my last article, I identified the importance of effective communication in the workplace. Today’s article is a follow-up that offers several suggestions meant to help individuals improve these...
View ArticleNegotiating your salary
There is probably no more stressful stage in the interview process than negotiating your salary. You usually don’t know entirely what to ask for. You have a feel for what you would like, but most of us...
View ArticleBenchmarking: Be Mindful Where You Set the Bar
At many fast-growing companies, there is a an organizational phenomenon that takes root as the middle management ranks swell. Early on, titles are handed out with thoughtful precision. The Director...
View ArticleThere’s No Stupid Question, But…
While I’m a big proponent of people asking questions, there are a few considerations that I’d like to address. These considerations are not about looking (or sounding) “stupid” or otherwise inhibiting...
View ArticleThe Only Two Ok Responses to Valid Feedback
Earlier this week, I wrote over on the Plexxi blog that the most important thing to look for in a potential new hire is coachability. If being coachable is the most important contributor to sustained...
View ArticleIT’s Not Just About Technology
There’s a lot of great blogs and resources that get really deep into specific areas of tech. While it may sound really strange, this site is decidedly not one of them. The focus of The Tech Interview...
View ArticleMake yourself a standout
As people manage their careers, it is common sense that they need to stand above their peers if they want to outperform them from a career perspective. This is why you see people working 14- or 16-hour...
View ArticleThe Importance of Setting Expectations
One of my first experiences dealing with a technology customer involved a request to deliver and install a new PC and printer. During the process I expected I would need to educate the user on the...
View ArticleThe 24 Rules I Work By – Infographic
I came across this infographic from Anna Vital of Funders and Founders and loved it. As relevant as some of it is, there is an obvious focus on running a startup and not working in IT. Because of that...
View ArticleRouters vs Switches, When to position which?
Everyone knows the difference between a router and switch right? Good.. (for those that need a good refresher) this post is not going is not going to dive into that topic. What I want to talk about is...
View ArticleStop Being A Specialist
When I began my IT journey I had a guy that I worked with that had been in IT since the 90s. He told me that I needed to find my niche and stay there. He said if you know everything about one little...
View ArticleBreak Those Chains
So because I’m new to this whole blogging at Packet Pushers thing (and blogging in general), I’ve been trying to decide on my place in the grand scheme of things. There are a lot of folks here that do...
View ArticleMake Like A Tree And Branch Out
Alright, so you’ve decided to branch out and you may be wondering what else you can do to help things along. You can always try your friendly neighborhood blog or message board, but there’s always the...
View ArticleLeave Your Gas Can at Home
Talking about current events with my dad recently, he gave me a sage piece of advice. He said, “Son, leave your gas can at home.” Now obviously we weren’t talking about IT, but it got me to thinking....
View ArticleHow Rightsizing A Network Saved Millions
A few years ago I was approached by a state organization to be a second set of eyes for a large purchase of Cisco routers and access points to connect all its branch offices to a new central hub. Most...
View ArticleQOS Your Life
So as we’re all busy network professionals, I’m sure you’ve ran into the problem of a work-life balance. I personally know lots of engineers that have burned out at one time, or their family life has...
View ArticleWant to be a better engineer? Learn to troubleshoot
Want to be a better engineer? Learn to troubleshoot Since I have been working in IT for many years there are a few traits that generally separate a good engineer from a great engineer. One of those...
View ArticleCommunity is Key
So in case anyone didn’t know, I got to speak at Interop Las Vegas 2016 last week. It was an amazing experience, and I think it changed my professional outlook on a lot of things. I had never attended...
View ArticleA Simplified Approach to SDN and Network Disaggregation
Two of the hottest trends in networking today are SDN and network disaggregation. This is great for many reasons. It’s also confusing. The marketing hype makes it hard to understand either topic. SDN...
View ArticleIPv6 Buzz 044: Building An IPv6 Lab
The best way to learn IPv6 is to get it into the lab and play with it. On today's IPv6 Buzz podcast, we share advice, learnings, and tips on building a lab and getting your hands dirty with this...
View ArticleIPv6 Buzz 057: Thinking Differently With IPv6
What do novice engineers need to know about IPv6? How can v6 help you rethink customer solutions? What will networking look like in 20 years? Today's IPv6 Buzz podcast explores these questions and more...
View ArticleThe Benefits Of Frustration
When you start a career you are inexperienced and somewhat immature, but also hungry for new experiences. Someone sees your potential and holds your hand, mentors you, and you appreciate it. But...
View Article
More Pages to Explore .....