Hey there, I am new to the PHP and MySQL world. I just picked up the O'Reilly books off of half.com so that I can start learning the ins and outs of the PHP Language. I just completed my degree in Computer Engineering and sad enough to see, I never learned web development.
However, I was wondering about a few things. First off, I would like to apologize if this is in the wrong section. I figured that at least the General Discussion area would be a good starting point for my thread.
I want to get in the web development field. However, I was wondering what are the general questions that an interviewer will ask pertaining to PHP/MySQL. I have interviewed before for a few non-web development positions and most of the questions pertaining to understanding classes, pointers, polymorphism/inheritance, etc.
Therefore, I was wondering if you guys/ladies can give me any pointers on what to prepare for when I start my PHP/MySQL development job search.
Any help or tips will greatly be appreciated and I do apologize profusely if this is in the wrong thread.
Thanks!
Newbie here - Need advice on job interview.
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alex.barylski
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Re: Newbie here - Need advice on job interview.
I have never been asked or formally interviewed as my projects, articles and other links are enough to convince employers of my skillset -- something I recommed you do.
I can tell you what I would ask if I were interviewing you:
1. How long have you been programming in PHP?
Why? Because it sets the pace for the rest of the interview. If you've been at it for 1 year you probably don't fully understand the environment your working under, which really influences your ability as a developer. Example, when you have some strange bug caused by wonky headers it'll take you forever to figure out.
PHP development is much more than learning the syntax and having a basic grasp of programming (understanding conditionals, logical connectives versus bitwise, etc). It's about the Internet and it's protocols.
It's about knowing HTML (preferably XHTML and CSS) and JavaScript and various libraries like jQuery, Prototype and others.
2. What was the last problem you experienced and how did you solve it?
Problem solving skills is the biggest requirement for software developer. Nothing worse than someone that doesn't like to solve problems becomes a programmer.
3. What projects have you worked on lately?
School will only take you so far and in my experience doesn't teach you much about real world software development. Work experience (even probono) with a commercial or open source project will immediately show me you know what your doing.
Every developer should have at least one (small or large) open source project to demonstrate their abilities. Whether it be a library or a application or both. Articles too, it's not hard to hammer out a few and post them. Get at it!
What kind of interview you experience, really depends on the position your applying for.
I can tell you what I would ask if I were interviewing you:
1. How long have you been programming in PHP?
Why? Because it sets the pace for the rest of the interview. If you've been at it for 1 year you probably don't fully understand the environment your working under, which really influences your ability as a developer. Example, when you have some strange bug caused by wonky headers it'll take you forever to figure out.
PHP development is much more than learning the syntax and having a basic grasp of programming (understanding conditionals, logical connectives versus bitwise, etc). It's about the Internet and it's protocols.
It's about knowing HTML (preferably XHTML and CSS) and JavaScript and various libraries like jQuery, Prototype and others.
2. What was the last problem you experienced and how did you solve it?
Problem solving skills is the biggest requirement for software developer. Nothing worse than someone that doesn't like to solve problems becomes a programmer.
3. What projects have you worked on lately?
School will only take you so far and in my experience doesn't teach you much about real world software development. Work experience (even probono) with a commercial or open source project will immediately show me you know what your doing.
Every developer should have at least one (small or large) open source project to demonstrate their abilities. Whether it be a library or a application or both. Articles too, it's not hard to hammer out a few and post them. Get at it!
What kind of interview you experience, really depends on the position your applying for.
Re: Newbie here - Need advice on job interview.
Ah sounds some good advice. I was just wondering how to go about learning PHP and MySQL. Most people that I have come across are all self-taught and just learn by practicing on their own or in open projects.
As for me, I am trying to find a niche of something that I love to do and make a website out of it from scratch.
I am just worried a bit on how the interview process goes for most entry-level web development positions.
Any other suggestions or insight would be nice.
Thanks again!
As for me, I am trying to find a niche of something that I love to do and make a website out of it from scratch.
I am just worried a bit on how the interview process goes for most entry-level web development positions.
Any other suggestions or insight would be nice.
Thanks again!
Re: Newbie here - Need advice on job interview.
Also, what kind of curveballs are usually thrown at you guys when you have interviewed in the past? Sorry to be a pest, I just kind of like to know what I am getting myself into. I think that my only problem is that I become worried on whether or not I will know how to say the right things or know how to solve the problem within the small amount of time that they provide me. If there is a particular aspect of PHP/MySQL that I should know more than others, can someone let me know?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Re: Newbie here - Need advice on job interview.
While I agree with Hockey's comments, in general, it's also true that everybody has to get a start somewhere, or none of us would ever have been hired! My perspective is that you shouldn't expect to get the "ideal" job the first time around. But if you impress the interviewer with your seriousness and general intelligence, someone may offer you an entry level job where you can begin learning the "real" world of programming and web development. Maybe. But maybe you'll have to settle for a job that really sucks, but if you have an opportunity to learn, it might be worth doing for a year or two, to begin to get the credentials that Hockey spoke about.
As for the interview, my advice is to stop worrying about what kind of questions you might be asked; every interviewer is different, anyway. There's no one area of a programming language that you can expect to be questioned on. It will be more like Hockey said. Once they realize that you're a fresh graduate, most interviewers will be interested in your potential, because they know damned well that you won't be able to just slip into a fully qualified programmer's job. So the very best way you can prepare for the interview is to just relax, be yourself, be respectful to the interviewer, but don't act like he or she owns you, either. Above all, avoid sounding like a smart-ass and don't do stupid things like pick your nose or sprawl all over their furniture. After you've had several years of working experience, the interviews will become much more technical, but right now, it's mostly whether they think you can learn, and usually whether you can work well on a team.
As for the interview, my advice is to stop worrying about what kind of questions you might be asked; every interviewer is different, anyway. There's no one area of a programming language that you can expect to be questioned on. It will be more like Hockey said. Once they realize that you're a fresh graduate, most interviewers will be interested in your potential, because they know damned well that you won't be able to just slip into a fully qualified programmer's job. So the very best way you can prepare for the interview is to just relax, be yourself, be respectful to the interviewer, but don't act like he or she owns you, either. Above all, avoid sounding like a smart-ass and don't do stupid things like pick your nose or sprawl all over their furniture. After you've had several years of working experience, the interviews will become much more technical, but right now, it's mostly whether they think you can learn, and usually whether you can work well on a team.
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Re: Newbie here - Need advice on job interview.
Floss and wear pants, even a bad resume can't begin to compete in getting you out the door quicker then showing up in your underwear sporting Wookie breath.
..and remember, it's not the only job out there.
..and remember, it's not the only job out there.