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The Quest for a Geek

Our hunt at work for a good enough geek continues.

Now that I'm back at work, I've finally been able to talk to the right person to have a look at the job description that was sent out to the contracting agencies, so that I could see what it was we were actually asking for.

It ends up that there's two parties at fault - us and them.

Why's it our fault? There seems to have been a mix up in the job description. For some reason, it says we want C# people. This might explain why we keep getting sent guys to interview that don't know VB :)

Why's it their fault? The position is for a senior developer, but the contracting agencies keep sending us juniors.

Having updated the spec, hopefully we'll see some candidates come through that are more suitable.

For those that are interested, here's roughly what we're sending out (incriminating evidence removed to protect the guilty :)

Required Skills
=========
1. At least 3 years experience in Web Development
2. At least 2 years experience with data driven Intranet and Internet Web applications
3. At least 1 year experience with implementing Web Service based solutions
4. Experience with UML Use Cases and Domain Models

Desired Skills
========
1. Experience with Microsoft .Net platform and development tools including Visual Studio .Net
2. Thorough knowledge of .NET programming in VB.NET (or C#).
3. Experience with Implementing Accessibility guidelines in web sites
4. Knowledge of XHTML, XML and XSL
5. Experience with Microsoft SQL Server or another relational database
6. Experience with the following Rational products: Rose, Requisite Pro, ClearQuest and ClearCase

Job Functions
=========
1. Work with Team Leaders and Project Managers to identify feature requirements
2. Read Customer Requirement, Use Case, Input and Report Specification documents
3. Read and create Domain Models Use Cases and Software documentation
4. Code innovative solutions to deliver features that satisfy customer requirements.
5. Work with other Development Team members to assist in solution delivery
6. Follow design and coding guidelines and offer suggestions for improvement

Of course, if I had my way I think I'd still adjust it a little. Desired Skills 1 & 2 should be moved to Required Skills. I'd also weight it more heavily towards VB, but still leave a mention of C# in there - in my mind, the better programmers are the ones who know more than one language - by covering more than one, you can't help but think more about how things work behind the scenes.

So we'll see how it goes. We badly need people who can cut the mustard. Are you in Canberra and looking for some contract work? Give me a holler :) Again, I'd like to specify that I'm not looking for a clone of myself (although on my last post someone was adamant that I was) - I just want someone that has a clue and knows more than just what Visual Studio puts in front of you. Hell, we managed to get by with Rory working for us, so almost anyone will do! *grin*

Posted: Monday, August 08, 2005 10:12 PM by Geoff Appleby

Filed under: General, Future Dealings

Comments

Darrell said:

Hey Geoff, don't know how much you're offering, but looking for someone that has UI skills (XHTML, XML, XSL) and backend skills (relational database) is a tall order. Most people specialized, and it looks like you're trying to get someone that does everything. The people that can do both are going to either command a pay premium or request full-time work.

# August 9, 2005 9:09 AM

Geoff Appleby said:

Yes, if all that was in the required section, then I know we'd be asking way too much. But they're only in the 'nice to haves'.

All that really matters is that they can do web stuff, talk to databases nicely (sql server, only calling sprocs - not write the sprocs) and have a clue.

The clue is the most important bit. :)

# August 9, 2005 9:27 AM

BTX said:

except for the VB part (yuck!) I can't believe you can't find someone good enough... that's sad... but then again, haven't seen something like that hired in my area lately (grin)

# August 9, 2005 3:57 PM

john magner said:

This really is a common theme. It's very hard to find people that you want in your team, mostly becase they:
- are not looking for work
- hate dealing with the crap surrounding the recruiting process
- don't exist

The last point is the one I want to talk about. I doubt you'll find someone exactly meeting with the expected requirements.

There needs to be a better way. Perhaps if you re-organised your requirements a bit, putting a lower emphasis on the actual skills required and focused more on a candidate that "has a clue" (your phrase) and then immersed them in your enviroment and coerced them to be the resource you need.

I hate to admint it, but I think that Joel Spolesky (sp?) has some good points about this.

# August 9, 2005 9:14 PM

Rory Primrose said:

Hey Jaffy, looks like you and I are two of a kind. :)

# August 9, 2005 9:31 PM

Ed said:

Geoff,

In your quest for a geek, did you go through recruiting agencies, or did you post to some publically known .net job list? If the latter, please share any list names or other recruiter-free resources you may have used. A friend of mine is looking for a fulltime .net developer in the Boston, MA. area. Any help is much appreciated!

Ed.

# September 26, 2005 9:08 AM