To follow up just a bit more, here are skills I would require of someone
before hiring them:
* Practical SQL knowledge, with hands-on experience of at least 6 months
(with projects/URLs to show for it) with either MySQL, Postgres, MSSQL,
Oracle, DB2 or another high-level DB system (preferably more
than one, but we'll take just one).
* At least 6 months of practical PHP knowledge - projects/URLs to
show for it.
* Ability to design/debug complex HTML tables, or create scripts to do the
same. :)
* Ability to talk me through at least 2 ways of solving a data manipulation
problem, without code - whiteboard/paper/hand gestures and words only.
You also need to be able to argue why one method is better over another.
You don't have to be right, but you have to be able to justify your
choices.
* Understanding of HTTP, session management, cookies, etc.
* More than a passing interest in new technologies, and how to apply
your current skills to those new areas (wireless, etc.)
* Willingness to work weekends/evenings, if need be, to meet deadlines.
There are some tech things above, and some personality things.
I don't care too much if the projects people show me are personal
or professional, as long as they get excited about some of those
projects - either by talking about the skills they gained or mistakes
they made, or about how these projects can be adapted to other
situations.
I'm not dogging you personally Jon - I don't even know you. I'm just
speaking as an employer in the web services field - these are the skills
I generally look for in people. :) My guess is that others have similar
criteria, but I may be way off base.
Jon Jacob wrote:
> I hope this is not off topic, but I need to ask a general audience this
> question and this seems like the right group.
>
> I have been out of work for two months and I am not sure why. I am a
> talented web programmer with three years experience, strong Perl,
> JavaScript, CGI, and HTML skills and a great work ethic. I have been
> offered a job (which I turned down) but nothing desirable has come my
> way. I know the economy is slow, but I am shocked that I am out of work
> for this long. Are others experiencing this, or is it just me?
>
> I live in Portland, OR which is not the center of the tech universe but
> has strong tech companies nonetheless. I am just confused and am
> wondering if it is something I am doing or something that is being done
> to me. If the later, I can wait it out, but I just wanted to know if
> anyone in my silimiar situation was experiencing something the same and
> had any insight to share.
>
> I apologize for the vent, but it is starting to become frustrating and
> confusing.
>
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