"In the Linux and open source space, code is your resume," Cloer said. Accordingly, it's worthwhile to participate and contribute to existing , both to make some early connections and to build up the base of code you can show off.

Use the body of your resume to demonstrate the results you've delivered, Hill added. "Create a technical skills section to hit all the keywords necessary to get past the hiring manager's screen." For example, "Perl" and "Shell Scripting" are frequently sought in Linux postings.

Events and vendor-neutral training courses like the ones offered by the Linux Foundation can help bolster your section on technical skills, Cloer of the Linux Foundation suggested.

Posting your resume on a site like Dice, meanwhile, can increase your chances of being found. Eighty percent of employers search resumes in the Dice database before ever posting their job, Hill noted. The site also maintains an with numerous sample resumes you can view for free.

4. Interviews