How to Assess a Software Developers Resume

How to Assess a Software Developers ResumeHow to Assess a Software Developers ResumeIn a resume evaluation, how do you determine a software developers level of experience in a programming language?It seems like every programming resume includes a lengthy laundry list of skills. Unless developers specifically note how long theyve worked with a language, and on which projects, there is no obvious way to determine whether their experience with that language is comprehensive.With a careful software developer resume evaluation, you can simplify the hiring process by zeroing in on candidates with the experience you seek, and learn the true differences between the skills of a senior developer and those of an entry-level developer. Watch for these red flags and green flags. Red flagsQuality of experience Compare the quantity to the quality of experience during a resume evaluation. If someone has five years of experience in Java but the project they list as their crowning achievement is a CD- collection application, it means they lack experience using the language in a sophisticated fashion.Familiar with This schlagwort often pops up on programming resumes. Familiar with does not equal proficiency. Candidates who say they are familiar with a programming language may be trying to pad their resume, or keyword stuffing to help their resume pass through automated HR tools.Using the wrong name for a technology or a strange spelling or capitalization - for example, C-sharp instead of C - is another sign that a candidate may not actually have the skill set listed in his or her resume.Exaggerated Experience Someone who has been working with a programming language for only a year and claims expertise may be bluffing. It only takes a few minutes to learn enough of the syntax of most languages to make code changes, and within a few hours you are probably able to write new code fairly well. However, modern programming languages are extremely sophisticated and learning to master th em can take years.Jack-of-all-trades Approach with caution software developer resumes that indicate the candidate has amassed skills in a wide range of programming languages in just a short period. Assuming the candidate truly did work with all of those languages, how well could they have actually learned them, given the time frame?Green flagsSteady progressionAdvancement in project difficulty is a positive sign during a software developer resume evaluation. It is a sign that the developer has been learning and growing, and is being given increasingly sophisticated and difficult assignments.Look also for growth in related technologies. For example, a developer who has recently taken on additional responsibilities around the database is probably someone with a thirst for knowledge.Variety of experience A range of experiences over a lengthy period of time gives a candidate the experience to handle different challenges. Someone who has tried three or four languages over five years has likely worked with them deeply enough to learn them well. Programmers grow when they try new languages and systems, but too many at once is counterproductive.Certifications Certifications in programming indicate that a developer has a certain level of knowledge. In the resume evaluation process, keep an eye out for industry-standard certifications such as the Microsoft certifications for developers. Many certification programs require regular recertification to make sure thatthe developer stays current with the information. For example, a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) needs to recertify every two years. Certifications are re-assuring, but be sure to check that they are still valid.Programmer resumes often look very similar to each other. But by watching for the red and green flags listed above, youll be able to quickly single out the most qualified candidates tointerview.Once youve chosen your top candidate, check out our Salary Guide to determine the right starting salary range for the job.This post has been updated to reflect more current information.

A life lesson learned the hard way and what it taught me

A life lesson learned the hard way and what it taught meA life lesson learned the hard way and what it taught meThere I was, sliding down the side of Mount St. Helens in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. One of my friends had already slipped past me in the snow. I tackled my second friend to stop him and tell him something very important.We were lost.Extreme situations like this generally dont happen by accident. Decisions are made beforehand that determine a specific outcome. We call those decisions preparation - or a lack thereof.While we all managed to make it down the mountain alive that day, I learned some pretty harsh lessons about preparation along the way.Many people think theres no glory in preparationWe often dont prepare properly because no one gives us credit for it. Were only evaluated on the outcome.Sometimes, people dont even want to hear about yur preparation, because it takes away the allure of the flawless, charismatic performer. No one wants to know about the gru nt work that takes place behind the scenes.When my friends and I decided to climb Mount St. Helens, I didnt take the preparation seriously.Im a runner, and Ive always been fit in comparison to my friends and colleagues. So, while other people in my group prepared extensively for the experience, I decided to just show up.In a t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops.Right away, there were signs I had not prepared as well as I should have. I noticed that the other hikers looked like theyd been on a shopping spree at REI. They had all kinds of gear I didnt, including ice tools and crampons. We were making the trek in June, and the heat and humidity were pretty intense at the base of the mountain.It had never occurred to me that there would be ice at the top.But Id traveled 2,000 miles to climb this mountain. I wasnt going to leave without the glory of making it to the top in my limited gear. Ultimately, that need for glory was part of my downfall.Lack of preparation serves as an excuse for fail ingSome people will announce theyre just winging it when they begin a project or a task. They do that because it sets expectations very low. If they fail, well, they were just winging it. If they succeed, then theyve exceeded expectations.I did end up succeeding. Despite my only equipment being a soccer ball I brought along in my backpack, I did make it to the summit along with two of my friends.At one point, I was trudging through snow while wearing my day-at-the-beach outfit. But I persevered and made it to the top.Success, right?I used to have this mentality about preparation, but I view it a little differently today.Preparation pays off, especially as you take bigger risks.If I had done research before climbing the mountain, I would have found out theres a very specific technique for getting down.The other hikers at the summit had brought along rolled up tarps. They unrolled them, sat down, and used them as sleds to travel down the mountain.We didnt have any tarps.Which brings m e to why I was sliding down the mountain in shorts, worrying about frostbite on my rear end. At some point in that long, cold slide, I began to get the sense that we werent going in the right direction. I managed to stop one of my friends, even as the other went flying past.By then, the sun was going down - and we had nothing to make it through the night. I knew we had to get off the mountain as soon as possible and get help for our friend who had slid out of view.For the first time in my life, I felt truly frightened about the situation I was in. That terror only lasted for about half an hour - until we got our bearings - but it was intense.I had taken a big risk without preparing, and it backfired.Experts know the value of preparationSome people spend a lot of time showing you how much energy and work theyre putting into preparation.But experts and professionals tend to operate behind closed doors. They work backwards, clearly defining the outcome they want, and then figuring o ut exactly how much preparation they need to achieve it.I didnt work backwards for my Mount St. Helens trip. I simply decided whatever Id already done would be enough. It wasnt.Thats why when we finally got down the mountain, I was bleeding from both my legs and one arm. I couldnt even feel it because I was so cold. Our third friend had been picked up by the Rangers after finding a different route - one that included nearly falling down a ravine.As you might imagine, something clicked for me after that experience. I gained a new level of appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes. Now, I havent stopped taking risky and memorable trips with my friends. In fact, the risk has increased year after year.I just prepare for them better.Praveen Tipirneni is president and CEO ofMorphic Therapeutic Inc.Thiscolumnfirst appeared atQuora.

One thing bosses can do to strengthen teamwork at the office

One thing bosses can do to strengthen teamwork at the officeOne thing bosses can do to strengthen teamwork at the officeAll animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.Thats Orwellian logic you may know well if youve ever worked at a place where some people get all the perks, and others get all the work.The very American idea of the work family depends on maintaining the truth- or fiction - that everyone is treated equally in the workplace.I learned how quickly friends could become jealous enemiesat one of my previous jobs. When wefound out that a coupleof my co-workers wereable to work from home andleave early while the rest of us had to deal with the horrors of subway riders and overnights, we seethed.The unfairness of it all kept nagging at me. Why did I have to bea vampire who couldntsocialize or see the sun, while the favored ones kept gettingbetterdaytime hours? Why welches I gettingsquished between five subway riders with varying levels of hygiene, while o ther coworkers got to work from the comfort of their bed? What made those lucky few so special? What did they have that I didnt?I never got a satisfyinganswer and Im sure it was acause that contributed to some of my co-workers leaving.Unsurprisingly, then, studies show there is one thing bosses can do to improve teamwork and morale stop playing favorites.Favoritism the bosss worst habitThis is the toxic environment favoritism causes, and Im glad a study has come along to back me up.A recently publishedstudy in the Journal of Vocational Behaviorfound that favoritismincreased loyalty and engagement for those who received it- but it was also the root of envy and a competition that tore apart teams.An example the researchers gave would be an employee thinkingthat, my status at works depends on my performance relative to others.Researchers found that employees who witnessed their co-workers being favored felt especially jealouswhen they werent the object of favoritism as well - but the e nvy was muted when their manager showed them favor too.The study also found a correlation between being being envied and ostracism. Feeling ignored and isolated at work led to the employees decisions to leave.For companies, the employee turnover that results from favoritism by managers is a big reason to stop the practice. Hiring new employees is one of the biggest uses of managers time.Younger employees notice favoritism moreYoung employees are quick judges of favoritism. Unsurprisingly, younger employees (like me) are especially sensitive to being denied opportunities that could further our careers. Called idiosyncratic deals, these special work arrangementscould include company-sponsored training, exclusive lunches and happy hours, and customizablehours and schedules.Those are the social and professional developmental resources younger employees crave, in part because they are signs of advancement and respect.Try making specialwork arrangements less specialThese special work arra ngements for favored employees are only on the rise. Theyre increasingly being used to retain and promote top talent. In a 2011 surveyof 303 senior business executives at U.S. companies, 84% said favoritism happens in their workplace.This latest study doesnt mean that managers should stop making special arrangementsaltogether in the modern workplace. Just dont let it become so obvious that everyone else feels second-class.Even better, create an environment thats as equal as possible. We shouldfollow the lesson of what the researchers concluded employeesfelt less envious when they believedthat the deals werenegotiable and available to everyone.

BB Owner Returns to Corporate Career in Operations

BB Owner Returns to Corporate Career in OperationsBB Owner Returns to Corporate Career in OperationsSteve hund and his wife tried running their own bed and breakfast but found they preferred corporate corridors.Steve hund and his wife were living the dream in sunny Florida after leaving the cold, snowy winters of Connecticut and their high-powered corporate careers to abflug a bed and breakfast.But something welches missing. For the first year and a half, Hunt said, business welches steady, but both Hunt and his wife discovered they missed their corporate jobs and enjoyed that lifestyle more. They put the BB on the market and began looking for other opportunities, knowing that theyd have their own business to fall back on.An odd positionIt was an odd position to be in, at 53 years old looking to get back into the corporate world, Hunt said. The BB had been on the market for a year and a half, he said, and both he and his wife had been searching for new corporate positions, but nothin g had panned out.Then, when the economy plummeted, tourism, especially in Florida, was hit hard, and Hunt said they decided to redouble their efforts to return to corporate America.A former high-level operations manager at ACH Foods, which produces edible oils and specialty grocery products for North American consumer, commercial and industrial channels, Hunt decided to leverage that experience and began searching for a similar position.Hunt tried a number of executive search sites, and over a year and half had about seven or eight interviews that were extremely promising, but nothing stuck, he said.A long searchBetween December 2008 and January 2009, I applied to 35 jobs, Hunt said. I would see a job and think, I can do that, but I didnt apply to many of them because I didnt want to take just anything.After signing up for OpsLadder, Hunt said he stumbled upon a job listing with Kellogg Co., the leading U.S. manufacturer of cereal and a major producer of cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit snacks, frozen waffles and vegetarian foods.Hunt said he wasnt sure of his qualifications after reading the job description, which was for a position as director of operations for the WKKI research facility in Battle Creek, Mich., in the Research and Development (RD) division. He applied for the job anyway.I saw the job on Ladders.com in January, and I wasnt sure I was a fit because I hadnt done much RD, Hunt said. I applied thinking, Well, Ill never hear from them. But as it turned out, Hunt did hear from Kellogg, and the recruiting firm working with the company was pleased with Hunts experience and initial interview. After a few days, Hunt said, he heard from a hiring manager within Kellogg, but was discouraged again after a very short phone interview.Again, I thought, Well, thatll never work out, he said. Even after the manager of the R D division interviewed me, the call was very short, and I was convinced it was because they werent interested.Fill ing the right positionBut Hunt was wrong. Kellogg was looking for someone who had technical skills and experience in the industry, and also had extensive people skills and management skills, like Hunts, to reinforce industry knowledge, he said.It was great, he said. I never thought this job would pan out, not in a million years, he laughed. But it turned out to be just the right fit for me - you just never know.Hunt said he had concerns that Kellogg would fall victim to the same economic pressures as many other corporations in a troubled economy, but when he interviewed in person with the company, those fears were quickly laid to rest.I had my questions all prepared, and one of them was, How committed is Kellogg to RD and growth? he said. But when I walked in, they showed me to this 250, 000- square-foot R D facility and told me that they were planning to invest $40 million to double its size and capacity That answered that question, he laughed.Kellogg offered Hunt relocation a ssistance and a comparable salary and benefits to what he was making before he left the corporate world, he said. And while his wife is still in Florida keeping the BB afloat, hes confident a sale will be made soon and she can join him in Michigan.I have been here for three weeks, and if I was able to get back into the industry at the same level or even a hair higher than where I was before, I know itll happen (for her), he said.

Facts, Fiction and What Should a Resume Include

Facts, Fiction and What Should a Resume Include A complete resume includes these sections. Among the ideal cover letter tips out theres tocall them by name. Nearly all resumes also incorporate a concise work history section. Usually, education sections land near the base of resumes with hardly any particulars. Heres What I Know About What Should a Resume Include Employers ought to be able to come across strong keywords throughout your resume so as to yield the greatest possible effects and provide you the best chances at exposure. Save the work description and take a look at the lingo the employer is using. Things You Should Know About What Should a Resume Include You should tailor your resume to each work application so that it responds to the particular needs of the job that youre applying for. To start, you dont need to list every job that youve ever had. Also, dont hesitate to list non-traditional work like volunteer jobs or freelance work, particularly if you havent h eld a normal job in some time. Whether youre searching for your very first job or your next one, you require a resume that shows employers that youre a skilled professional. The 5-Minute Rule for What Should a Resume Include Be certain that your resume contains everything the employer should be convinced that youre a great match for the position. Before getting into the core of a work hunt, its wise to assemble a thorough plan, along the lines of a company program. If you observe the resume sections structure outlined above, you are going to be on the appropriate track to landing the job that you desire When it has to do with your job application procedure, there are definitely some quite critical points you are going to want to make certain you hit. Facts, Fiction and What Should a Resume Include Writing a resume is easy, but it does take some time and planning. You also need to spend a couple of minutes thinking about your strengths and career targets. Therefore, taking the opportunity to thoroughly craft a new version for each job youre applying to is usually suggested. If youre searching for your very first job since leaving an educational institution, information about your education ought to be on top of your resume. Get the Scoop on What Should a Resume Include Before Youre Too Late Be aware that there might be circumstances when including some of these information demonstrates that youre a superior fit for the job. The experience section is likely to constitute the body of your resume. It is possible to present your work experience in quite a few ways. Make sure you dont incorporate the incorrect info, which is anything which may lead the enterprise to conclude which you are not motivated or qualified to do the job. Job seekers can choose whether to send the complete document or only the first two pages to a prospective employer, dependent on the work opportunity requirements. Career Summary While many individuals understand the sig nificance of including a comprehensive employment history as a portion of their resume, they frequently overlook the advantages of taking the opportunity to compose a career summary section. Wield your summary to demonstrate HR you have the things that they need most. For inspiration about what to include on resume, it may be very helpful to take a look at examples of resumes in your position or industry. The Fundamentals of What Should a Resume Include Revealed An office assistant resume needs to demonstrate a wide variety of skills. A resume is meant to showcase your professional experience and abilities. For instance, if youre asking for a job as an administrative assistant, you dont will need to discuss the way your position for a babysitter helped improve your childcare skills, but you might share the way the experience helped you cultivate time management abilities and the capacity to juggle many tasks simultaneously. When considering what things to put on a resume, sk ills are definitely the most important. The Essentials of What Should a Resume Include That You Can Benefit From Starting Today Theres no need to include information regarding your age or nationality in this part. A resume that simply repeats information youve already supplied in the application doesnt matter. Its implied that youve got professional references who can speak for your benefit. Thorough Contact Information Youd be surprised exactly how many individuals go to great trouble composing different facets of their resume simply to neglect to include enough contact info. What Does What Should a Resume Include Mean? Your resume ought to be powerful but brief. You would just like to keep the peak of your resume a spot for only the main information. This information ought to be grouped with your contact information near the top of your resume. Key Pieces of What Should a Resume Include If you know what things to devote a cover letter, writing one is going to be a bre eze. A friend in HR suggested opening another email account only for job seeking. At length, it has to request the interview. Its also advisable to leave something to speak about in the interview.

How Do I Video InterviewExtroverts

How Do I Video InterviewExtrovertsEvery candidate comes with their own set of unique einstellungsgesprching challenges. Thats why were tackling how to video interview different types of job seekers with this how to series. Today, well be talking about using video interviews to connect with extroverts.Extroverted job seekers might be able to quickly and easily impress you in an interview setting because they thrive while meeting new people. Just because theyre chatty, however, doesnt necessarily make them the right person for the job. After all, the video interview is the perfect time to really focus on whether or not the candidate has the right skill set for the job.Here are some ways to use the video interview to make sure your extroverts are good for more than just a fun chatCheck your biasIts important to know our society tends to have a cultural bias towards extroverts. In her book Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Cant Stop Talking, author and former Wall Street lawy er Susan Cain points out how todays society is geared toward its more extroverted members, sometimes at the expense of introverts. You dont want a bias to cloud your judgment, even if its just a bias towards job seekers who are a bit better at small talk.Instead of letting personal feelings or your gut get in the way, write out a list of the skills and qualifications your ideal candidate should possess. You should know exactly what youre looking for and what type of personality will fit with ease into your company culture. Personality is important, especially when it comes to cultural fit, but only after youve accounted for skills and qualifications. Once you have, you can decide whether your extroverted candidate will fit into your organizational environment with ease. This way, both introverts and extroverts will have an equal chance of impressing you in the video interview.Are they rambling?Extroverts tend to enjoy meeting new people and thinking on their feet. behauptung are gre at interviewing skills and can make these job seekers truly impressive in a live video interview. However, because they love to talk, this can sometimes lead to rambling and unfocused answers.Understanding their strengths as an extrovert, some of these job seekers might not do the proper pre-interview preparation in favor of thinking on their feet in the meeting. This can backfire, and lead the candidate to ramble instead of giving focused and concise answers.These extroverted job seekers might also be more likely to talk over interviewers or to fill pauses with unnecessary conversation. Just because a candidate is an extrovert doesnt mean their more chatty demeanor wont actually be a hindrance in the video interview process.Do you need extroverts?Does the job youre hiring for actually require someone with an extroverted personality? Or would an introvert do just as well? This is an important question to ask yourself when it comes to looking at personality as an aspect of hiring the right person.For instance, a customer service position might require someone with excellent people skills. In this case, an extroverted candidate might have a leg up. Their personality might actually make them more suited for the position than a more reserved candidate. However, this wont be the case with every position and you should determine before the video interview process begins whether a certain type of personality will thrive in the position.Its important to find the right people for your open positions, whether theyre an introvert or an extrovert. Extroverted candidates might have a leg up in the job hunt because theyll be more at ease during the video interview process. But if you dont let your bias cloud your judgement, you can determine if this personable job seeker is really the right person for the job.What are some ways you connect in the video interview with extroverts? Share in the comments