Alex:
Regarding your question: Get Linux Certification vs.
SCJD Certification. Personally, I would grab te SCJD.
By itself, it won't get you the job. But it's another thing you can add to your resume' to separate yourself from the herd.
The concentration during the tehcnical interview process will be 90% Java skills and 10% operating skills. More like 100% Java skills and 0% operating systems skills.
You can grab the basics of unix/linux in 30 minutes. And can grab the rest on the fly. The "vi" editor is what is going to be the bear - but I suppose there are easier unix/linix editors out there.
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If you have BS-CompSci degree (USA College) and SCJP2 exam, and a year or two of Java experience, and are somewhat open to relocation -
you should be able to find a Java gig in the next 6 to 8 weeks.
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If you do not have your college degree - it's going to be a rough ride. Sorry, but that's what I am seeing in the market these days. And the SCJP2 and SCJD certifications will not take the place of a college degree - at least in the mind of corporate america.
John Coxey
(jpcoxey@aol.com)