Check out this job ad:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/sof/1004167016.html
Some problems I have with it:
1. Tableless. Look, using DIVs, SPANs, ULs, and LIs are great. I use them all the time for formatting a page. But to insist that I'm never going to use a table is ridiculous. Sometimes you have to use the 1 hour rule -- if you can't get the CSS to work, cross-browser, using DIVs, SPANs, ULs, and LIs, then switch to using a table so you can meet deadline, and then revisit the issue later when you get some more time. Also, I use tables on some kinds of forms because it's the only thing that works without fonts bleeding over, depending on how wacked out someone has their font arrangement on their system. (Don't you just love it when an end user has chosen the Large Fonts option in Windows in the Display Settings Control Panel?) And I use tables for grids like spreadsheet-like data.
2. All The Hats. Did you realize how much the developer is expected to do on this job? What's the Project Manager for? The guy who ensures the code is checked in and gives one the sales leads? That's ridiculous. That person isn't a Project Manager -- they're a Sales Assistant. And if I'm expected to do all this and have someone skim all the profit off of me, then why don't I just work for myself as a freelancer?
3. MVC Frameworks. Okay, I think MVC is great, but why not settle on one framework or give the guy an indication which one you actually prefer?
4. Javascript Frameworks. Okay, these frameworks are great, but, again, which one do you prefer? OHH!!! I think I get it -- they want you to know all the frameworks so that you can bend to whatever the client wants you to use. Yeah, that will go over like a lead balloon. Let's see, I could be working on two projects at the same time in such a company, for two different clients, dividing up my day. And so in the first part of my day, I could be doing CodeIgniter and jQuery. In the latter part of my day I could be doing Zend Framework and Scriptaculous. Yeah, like I won't screw that one up. Riiiiiiiight.
5. Magento. That product sure does look nice, if it weren't for the fact that IT IS COMPLETE TRASH. If you don't believe me -- load it up with sample data and watch how slow it runs then. Also, load it up with international sample data, such as for a client in Sweden (a case I had once), and you'll find it's broke and the forums won't help you get the data loaded up properly.
6. CMS. Again, more of the same. Want you to know everything and be the master at nothing.
7. Online Portfolio. Look, there's only two ways you have an online portfolio. (A) You worked for a company and they let you put up an online portfolio for their clients. (B) You had your own freelance business. So let's look at that. In A, most likely a former company will *NOT* let you use that online portfolio after you leave them, usually because of NDA reasons, and because they might actually bring that portfolio down and reassign it to the person who comes in to replace you. In B, if you had a freelance business, you'd realize you don't need to work for a company like this in the high cost of living in Long Island.
So, for me, this job is only for very stupid people, written by very stupid managers, at a very stupid kind of company. You're nothing but a rent-a-consultant, which is extremely fast-paced, usually not paid enough, and you become aware of everything, master of only a few things. Also, because you keep switching clients frequently at these places, you end up having to deal with all manner of friendly to nasty people -- the whole gamut. And if I'm going to be a rent-a-consultant in a fast-paced environment and keep switching clients -- why not work for myself?
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Okay, so then check this one out:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sof/1002895322.html
Now this is better-written, but check it out -- it's for the Freelancers Union in NY, made up of artists, writers, photographers, web designers, marketing reps, web developers -- basically anyone who does DIY freelance work from home. However, instead of being one of the people the union supports, I think it involves working /for/ the union, probably occasionally taking the train, ferry, or subway in for meetings. Anyway, the union is an interesting thing, and I imagine it helps people pool efforts a lot better than working individually, and gives them cheaper health, life, and business insurance, cheaper tax processing services, cheaper incorporation services, etc.
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And here's one that can't make up its mind what it is:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sof/1001153817.html
So which is it -- a Project Manager or a Lead PHP Developer? And if you're going to have to make me do both, why would I work for you when I can do the same thing from home as a freelancer? And why would I be stupid enough to fight the hassle to get into Midtown every morning just for this? Like you're going to pay me some outrageous salary for all that hassle? Riiiiiiight. I doubt it.
People need a clue. It's called SSH. It's called VPN. It's called web development. It's called virtual meetings. Ring a bell? I've done countless websites without even meeting people face-to-face.
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Now, here's a decent one:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sof/999353089.html
This one looks a little slower-paced compared to the fast-paced world of freelancing or rent-a-consultant. Why? Well, you're only working for one online ezine, that's why. It also looks like a very small company (you'll be reporting to the Director of Technology), and they're in NYC, so they look like they might actually might pay you a decent buck if they can afford that and don't have a lot of employees yet. I also like how they are wise to choose PostgreSQL over MySQL. Good move. And where they said, "blah blah" -- very appropriate and shows their laid-back atmosphere. And on all these jobs I've mentioned so far, you can see that jQuery is in big demand, as it should be.
Some More Job Ads To Review
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supermike
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Re: Some More Job Ads To Review
BTW, I started poking around FreelancersUnion from one of the job ads above that I mentioned. Unfortunately I read the Director's blog and saw this:
https://be.freelancersunion.org/blog/?p=859#comments
Wow. That's a pretty big blow against what seems like a worthwhile cause -- they're improperly billing people or having coverage carve outs in their health insurance plan. But I like the advocacy angle of this union, at least.
https://be.freelancersunion.org/blog/?p=859#comments
Wow. That's a pretty big blow against what seems like a worthwhile cause -- they're improperly billing people or having coverage carve outs in their health insurance plan. But I like the advocacy angle of this union, at least.