Eye Candy for the Webmasters

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Todd_Z
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Eye Candy for the Webmasters

Post by Todd_Z »

I am planning to launch a personal site to help me get programming freelance jobs. I want to include eye candy for the webmasters such as awards and certificates. What would make a good impression? So far I have the Zend Certificate on my list.
theda
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Post by theda »

Well, list off all the internet programming languages you know... fluently. :P

For me:
Html 4.0, XHTML 1/1.1, and basic PHP.

List as many credentials as possible I'd suggest :P
Grim...
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Post by Grim... »

Take some Brainbench tests - if you sign up for their newsletter you get details on which ones are free ;)

Here is my page: http://www.brainbench.com/xml/bb/transc ... id=4499216 .
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Todd_Z
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Post by Todd_Z »

Can you retake Brainbench tests? I'd theoretically keep taking the free ones til i get 90% or better
Grim...
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Post by Grim... »

No, you can only take them once (unless you pay).

Which is fair enough.
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Todd_Z
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Post by Todd_Z »

Tiz true - thanks for the tip to brainbench.

Do people think its worth it to dish out for the Zend Cert? or is it a waste of moolah
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

having certification in your direct field is almost always a good idea. It helps signify that you actually do know something. Granted, if the certification is a joke, it may not be a good idea, but something to still look at. Like a college degree, it just says you have a base knowledge and work/study/whatever ethic..
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onion2k
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Post by onion2k »

Theres a reason why I wrote a series of short articles about PHP and put them on my site.. They impress everyone from non-geek managers ("Cor, this guy can write articles and communicate stuff!"), to geek coders ("Cor! That GD stuff is cool!").
Roja
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Re: Eye Candy for the Webmasters

Post by Roja »

Todd_Z wrote:I am planning to launch a personal site to help me get programming freelance jobs. I want to include eye candy for the webmasters such as awards and certificates. What would make a good impression? So far I have the Zend Certificate on my list.
- Resume (listing specific experiences)
- Contact page (with as many contact methods as possible)
- Services page with a clear list of rates and offerings
- Portfolio - Examples of work, with if possible a look into the code that powered it (and neat tricks)
- Personal articles, forum posts, or examples of writing that show you to be knowledgable

Notably, certs and awards should be mentioned in the resume, not on the personal page.

Think about someone like a Linus Torvalds, RMS, K&R (both of them), etc.. They wouldn't have to brag about their accomplishments. Their resume and the community respect for them show them to already be a star. Don't try to GET there by doing things different than they do - try to get there by emulating them.

Build strong community connections, build respect, do good work, have a strong resume, and you wont have to try to sell yourself - the community will sell you.
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