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some PHP job hunting advice?

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:44 am
by _dimitris_
Hi everybody,

I'm new in the world of PHP and I want to ask the following: what do you think is an acceptable level of knowledge of the language that can make me confident in starting looking for a job as a PHP programmer? I have mainly used C/C++ and Common Lisp in the past, but I'm having difficulties to persuade any possible employer that I can code in PHP with no previous experience (obviously eh?). So, I was thinking about completing a task or small project on my own that can make clear my abilities in coding. Any suggestions or ideas would be really helpful for me.

Also, since most of the employers are looking for knowledge not only of PHP but other languages as well like JavaScript, a task or project that combines PHP with other skills could be even better.

Dimitris

Re: some PHP job hunting advice?

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:13 am
by onion2k
I got my first PHP job with no knowledge of PHP.

Re: some PHP job hunting advice?

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:16 am
by Zoxive
onion2k wrote:I got my first PHP job with no knowledge of PHP.
I guess it depends where you are and the job market. I got my first job with no business experience, but plenty of other experience. (I about 1 year of just selt taught php experience, and i did some competitions through my tech school i went to while in highschool)

However currently with 2 years business experience on top of that, I can't seem to land a job in my area. They seem to be looking for 5+ years experience.

Re: some PHP job hunting advice?

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:36 pm
by Ollie Saunders
I think you're in a difficult space because the employers who know their stuff want to hire people who've done agile, used design patterns and know OO. As a C++ programmer you probably haven't done those things, at least not in the same way (OO). The other employers who aren't looking for those things probably don't appreciate that a C++ programmer will get along with PHP pretty easily.

My advise would be to write as much PHP as possible, an app and maybe a library. Stick around on these forums, ask lots of questions. At the same time keep plugging for a job and you should find an employer who will give you the benefit of the doubt. I don't think either of those things should take too long, a couple of months if you are dedicated.

Re: some PHP job hunting advice?

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:26 pm
by _dimitris_
thanks for the advice. I've already started building a shopping cart (following some tutorials) so that I can have a portfolio, and generally searching for info in the web (articles, tutorials, forums...). hope I'll get into something with this. all the best

dimitris