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Ask HN: Hiring managers, what tech skills will you be hiring for in 2017?

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Re: Ask HN: Hiring managers, what tech skills will you be hiring for in 2017?

#131
post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's so special about NodeJS: * It has a revolutionary module system (Common JS) witch allows less coupling, more code reuse and better abstractions.

There's nothing "revolutionary" about CommonJS. It's a packaging system that offers simple encapsulation (but so does Java/Kotlin/Scala or C#). There's something different about it, in that it allows concurrent use of different versions--but, frankly, to me that's a demerit, not a positive, 'cause I'd rather keep my dependencies squared away.

NodeJS allows lexical (function) scoping of modules. I do not know any other language that allows this. Function scoping allows better decoupling when functions do not depend on the outer scope.

And modules in NodeJS are truly modular as they contain all their dependencies, even libraries.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring managers, what tech skills will you be hiring for in 2017?

#132

I am 100% owner of an internet company making 7 figure profits annually. I am extremely secretive of my business, almost to the point that some would consider a pathology. However, I will divulge my hiring strategy, because even if everyone uses my method, there will still be many employees for me to choose from. I look to hire people who just need a job. People who are qualified, but not overly qualified. People I k…

This actually seems reasonable and fair under two criteria:

- Questions... people need to ask questions (but not ad nauseam).

- Compensation... 'need a job' should not translate to a desperate wage

Understanding and acknowledging your employees have a life after work is important. The only question I have is how, or do you give out bonuses from your yearly profits.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring managers, what tech skills will you be hiring for in 2017?

#133
I hire people who show some passion for what they do. On technical end I'm looking for python developers, polymer/angular on javascript end, and ideally at least some basic linux skills. I like candidates that undertstand why languages that allow something like "foo" + 5 are not the best idea ever.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring managers, what tech skills will you be hiring for in 2017?

#135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Though I don't do recruiting myself I have a few friends in tech HR here in Berlin. It is not the total number of developers available that makes the problem, it's the high percentage of incompetence.

That's exactly right. If you are a competent engineer, you have your pick of jobs. And for every one of you, there are 100 others on the market, probably 80 whose resumes I'll throw away after 30s, 15 who won't make it through an initial code screen, and 4 who will fail in final round interviews.

What makes you throw away a resume?

Re: Ask HN: Hiring managers, what tech skills will you be hiring for in 2017?

#137
Like many here, Perkbox (London) is less looking at skills, and more looking for experience in:

- scalable architecture with legacy systems

- tech strategies to enable engineers & product to create success

- broad knowledge of useful serverside languages & technologies

- bringing a multi-platform SAAS to multiple regions

- processes and tech to ensure quality of output

- AWS dev ops

But for the sake of the OP, skills would likely be a nebula of PHP, Go, SQL, node, react, Webdriver, kubernetes and tech related to application infrastructure (Kong, Message queues etc). There are other nascent products which may demand other technologies - a years a long time :)

If any of this catches your eye hit me up for a chat ashleyc@perkbox.co.uk

Re: Ask HN: Hiring managers, what tech skills will you be hiring for in 2017?

#138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't understand why (forgive me for the generalization) blue collar work ethic and blue collar loyalty are so often dismissed in the tech field. Some of the best advice I ever received was 'execute in the seat your in'. Sure there are higher order strategies to work out but grow into it and growth is around growing into the company, not just growing into your specific vertical profession. Kudos on your directness.

A few reasons I can think of off the top of my head: 1) Anything that can be effectively described as "blue collar" will probably be replaced by automation within 3-10 years depending on the job. 2) Creative thinkers should be valued more highly in the tech field than those that can just follow orders blindly. Very few tech fields emulate an assembly line and the ability to think for yourself and develop an alternati…

>Very few tech fields emulate an assembly line and the ability to think for yourself and develop an alternative solution is and should be highly valued

A lot of management hates this. Less skilled managers, just want a dev shop where they can build and assemble parts.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring managers, what tech skills will you be hiring for in 2017?

#139

I manage the Google Container Engine and Kubernetes team in Seattle (we have other sites in Mountain View and Warsaw). Aside from the obvious interest in building container orchestration systems, I look for a passion to solve real user problems, not only building a piece of tech. Bonus points for knowing about Docker or containers or clouds or Golang or security. More points for meeting users where they are. And the…

wow, I've had experience in using Mesos & Docker in prod (running a 200 node cluster).

Also worked as a TE @ MS - had to meet devs & c level execs in startups.

Every time I've applied to Google Canada, I've been told that I'm too late (I get notifications when the jobs are posted and apply asap) and to apply 6 months later or that I'd have to move to SF (really want to work from Canada).

It's my dream to work at Google.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring managers, what tech skills will you be hiring for in 2017?

#140

Interesting. Lots of picky responses here--people prepared to wait it out and go through tons of candidates looking for perfection: Need this language. And that platform. Must know such and such database. And DevOps. Front end and backend. Full stack. And these four key abilities. And passion. Prepare for the interview. Be ready to explain this and that. Be good at whiteboard coding. Went through 400 candidates. If y…

Though I don't do recruiting myself I have a few friends in tech HR here in Berlin. It is not the total number of developers available that makes the problem, it's the high percentage of incompetence.

That's assuming you're good at spotting competent engineers. Everything I've seen both in this thread and elsewhere tells me companies are horrible at determining engineering competence.
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