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How to Interpret Ridiculous Web Design Job Posts

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Re: How to Interpret Ridiculous Web Design Job Posts

#21

Post by mgkimsal »

nawitus wrote: post #19

You could leave these two bits out: * Ability to work with a version control system (like SVN) in a team environment * using IDEs like Eclipse If someone has worked as a software engineer for more than 6 months, that someone already knows how to "use IDEs" and version control.

"If someone has worked as a software engineer for more than 6 months, that someone already knows how to "use IDEs" and version control."

Are you serious? I'm continually saddened by how many software people I run in to that do not know either one. FTP and Notepad++ are their 'tools of choice', and that's it.

Re: How to Interpret Ridiculous Web Design Job Posts

#22

Post by nawitus »

mgkimsal wrote: post #21
nawitus wrote: post #19

You could leave these two bits out: * Ability to work with a version control system (like SVN) in a team environment * using IDEs like Eclipse If someone has worked as a software engineer for more than 6 months, that someone already knows how to "use IDEs" and version control.

"If someone has worked as a software engineer for more than 6 months, that someone already knows how to "use IDEs" and version control." Are you serious? I'm continually saddened by how many software people I run in to that do not know either one. FTP and Notepad++ are their 'tools of choice', and that's it.

Yes, I'm serious. Apparently I only work with and know developers that use basic tools.

Re: How to Interpret Ridiculous Web Design Job Posts

#23

Post by mgkimsal »

nawitus wrote: post #22
mgkimsal wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"If someone has worked as a software engineer for more than 6 months, that someone already knows how to "use IDEs" and version control." Are you serious? I'm continually saddened by how many software people I run in to that do not know either one. FTP and Notepad++ are their 'tools of choice', and that's it.

Yes, I'm serious. Apparently I only work with and know developers that use basic tools.

That very well may be the case.

About half the developers I know are using modern tooling (version control, IDEs, virtual machines images, testing tools, etc). The other half are very much in the 'ftp/notepad++' or maybe 'sublime text' camp.

Trying to convince people that they should be using version control even if they're the only developer on a project is usually like swimming through molasses.

Re: How to Interpret Ridiculous Web Design Job Posts

#24

Post by pbhjpbhj »

james-skemp wrote: post #20
nawitus wrote: post #19

You could leave these two bits out: * Ability to work with a version control system (like SVN) in a team environment * using IDEs like Eclipse If someone has worked as a software engineer for more than 6 months, that someone already knows how to "use IDEs" and version control.

I would keep 'version control' in (and looked for it on their resume during my last two searches). It's surprising how many people don't use source control, but they do tend to work in smaller shops (one or two developers) or places with little change.

I can't really imagine putting something like "can use git" on a resume, seems far too fine grained. "Can use ssh"? Like applying for a job as a postman and writing "can tie own shoes" ... guess it depends on the level of proficiency that "use" is supposed to entail.

Re: How to Interpret Ridiculous Web Design Job Posts

#26

Post by mistercow »

>“a college degree can be helpful, but we just want someone that’s smart and dedicated.”

I thought that the reason job posters mention needing a degree is that if you don't, the assumption many job seekers will make is that it's a "learn on the job" situation. You'd end up with a thousand applications from people with no experience who thought "Well, I know my way around MS Word pretty well, so how hard can this be?"

Re: How to Interpret Ridiculous Web Design Job Posts

#27

Post by ninkendo »

mgkimsal wrote: post #23
nawitus wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, I'm serious. Apparently I only work with and know developers that use basic tools.

That very well may be the case. About half the developers I know are using modern tooling (version control, IDEs, virtual machines images, testing tools, etc). The other half are very much in the 'ftp/notepad++' or maybe 'sublime text' camp. Trying to convince people that they should be using version control even if they're the only developer on a project is usually like swimming through molasses.

Why are you and others lumping IDE's in with the rest of "modern tooling"? And what do they have to do with version control? Or virtual machines?

I use vim very much by choice. I'm not ignorant to what IDEs are and do, but I choose vim instead. I use version control. I use virtualization (with Vagrantfile for getting my development environment up) and I write tests with good coverage.

But because I use vim I get lumped in with people who never use version control?

Re: How to Interpret Ridiculous Web Design Job Posts

#28

Post by kazagistar »

Myrmornis wrote: post #8
dgabriel wrote: post #5

"Excellent communication skills," is a meaningless throwaway line. Does it mean "not an asshole", or "fluent in ", or "able to craft client emails", or "presents at conferences"? Why bother putting that in if you are not excellently communicating what you exactly mean?

"not an asshole".

In which jobs is this not a requirement?

Re: How to Interpret Ridiculous Web Design Job Posts

#29

Post by aaron695 »

dgabriel wrote: post #5

"Excellent communication skills," is a meaningless throwaway line. Does it mean "not an asshole", or "fluent in ", or "able to craft client emails", or "presents at conferences"? Why bother putting that in if you are not excellently communicating what you exactly mean?

> "Excellent communication skills"

This is an absolutely ridiculous thing to put in a job advertisement in the first place.

So they want someone who has an English major or a communications degree?

I suspect not. It's pure fluff that's meaningless and points to a badly written job advertisement by someone inexperienced.

Reality is you want someone who is OK at communicating, fits with the team and excellent at their job, which is Web Design.

Re: How to Interpret Ridiculous Web Design Job Posts

#30

Post by PeterisP »

kazagistar wrote: post #28
Myrmornis wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"not an asshole".

In which jobs is this not a requirement?

Sales? I mean, there is some positive correlation between efficiency of a salesman and various asshole-y characteristics such as intentional misleading (and feeling good about it afterwards), ruthless competition at all costs (including moral costs), not keeping promises after the check has been cashed, etc.

Not for all organizations, but for many sales depts it's exactly what is needed and wanted.

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