Recently in Job Search Category

A few years back I remember reading a number of articles about how poorly written many job ads were.  They went on about how HR people tended to focus on existing skillsets without considering that most programming jobs involved constantly learning new tools and techniques.  The most common example was job ads looking for 10+ years of Java programming experience.

It doesn't look like the situation has changed much, I found this posting on Dice.com today.

Title:Ruby on Rails Developer

Skills:5+ years Ruby on Rails programming experience

Date:3-30-2009

Description:

* At least 5 years Ruby on Rail programming experience
* Good understanding of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, XSD, XSLT and AJAX preferred
* Hands experience with Linux & MySQL a plus
* Python / Java Swing a plus

According to Wikipedia, the creator of Ruby on Rails, "[David] Heinemeier Hansson first released Rails as open source in July 2004".  If I'm doing my math right, David should be eligible to apply for this position this summer.  I first used Ruby on Rails in October of 2004 and will just have to wait.

Mark

One position I interviewed for yesterday wanted a resume, a completed application with personal (not business references) and the following release form filled out for each of my previous employers.

Applicant's Authorization
I consent to and authorize the above named former employer, and its agents and employees, to furnish any reference information concerning me, including achievement, wage history, performance, attendance, personal history, disciplinary information and reason for separation of employment, relating to my employment with the former employer. It is expressly understood that any information given is to be used for the purpose of determining my acceptability for employment. I also hereby release the above named former employer, and its agents and employees, from all liability for damages or claims, including but not limited to defamation, interference with contract, or prospective economic advantage and negligence, I have or may have which arise or result from any reference information provided pursuant to this authorization or any attempts to comply with this information.

The rest of the form was a questionnaire asking detailed questions about my job performance.   Now I am not a lawyer, but I read the above as releasing my previous employer from legal responsibility for any statements EVEN ones that are false or libelous.  The HR person said that this was a standard clause.  Seems a bit questionable, I've never seen it before. 

Anyhow, I felt it was a poor way of starting a relationship with an employee, especially prior to the interview.  As it turns out they already sent me a rejection letter. 

Mark

Last week I had the misfortune of being laid off, joining the millions of other American's without work.  I've spent the last week searching with mixed results.  It appears companies are hiring, but they are being quiet about it.  Postings to job sites like Dice.com, Craigslist and others seems to be way down, but plenty of positions are being listed on individual company websites.  I've applied for about a dozen positions so far, receiving two callbacks and an interview already.  That's not great, but not as bad as I thought it might be. 

Requirements are definitely on the way up.  I haven't seen any of the famous 10 years of Java experience ads, but I am seeing a lot of companies that want to hire System Administrators who are experts in both Windows and Linux support.  To me that is stretching a bit.  Becoming an expert on either platform takes years of experience.  I think a skilled Administrator should be capable on both, but asking for expert level knowledge seems to be inviting resume padding.

Anyhow, if you or anyone you know needs a highly skilled Linux System Administrator take a look at my resume.