I went to the Nashville .NET User Group meeting a couple weeks ago, and it was an interesting mix of people. They had several top recruiters in the area show up to answer questions about the job market, resume advice, and some career tips.
One of the things that all the recruiters agreed upon is the fact that most of their clients are putting up job requirements that are a bit… unrealistic. It’s understandable that companies want the most for their money and are trying to get people who are capable of performing the duties multiple, former employees.
However, these people are rare, justifiably want to be well compensated, and aren’t on the market as the companies they are currently working for want to retain them.
That said, I just read a job listing for a new startup in Pittsburgh. Here’s the list of credentials that they want in a User Interface Designer.
Ok, whoever this person (if he/she exists) is, is a rockstar among rockstars. Most likely less than 100 people in the entire United States of America could confidently have all of this on their resume – and back it up.
Here’s the kicker, in the job posting, there’s the text “The successful candidate will have 2 to 4 years of experience as a software engineer/UI designer…”
Um, yeah. A 4-year professional will have all that experience.
Considering that, which one of them would give up whatever highly paid, secure job they have now to go work for a startup in Pittsburgh, get paid in promises and stock-options, work 18 hour days, be unappreciated, and then – most likely – be discarded when the company fails?
That’s my new, favorite job description. Also, if you are reading this, and you land that job, please take a moment to leave a comment here and let me know you exist.
Link to job description:
http://pghcareerconnector.com/jobs/JobDetails.aspx?id=11114
18 Responses for "My new favorite job description"
After almost 10 years as a marketing manager, I’d say I know three of these things well, two things moderately well, and one just enough to be dangerous. The person who has accomplished skills in all these areas would be a most fearsome thing to behold (and in a comfortable, hard-won, six-figure position somewhere).
Great Post!
I’ve seen similar ones requesting high end design experience, b2b commerce experience, extensive programming experience, Info. Architect exp., Usability Research Experience and mobile app. experience for a 3-6 months CONTRACTORS position!
I’d really like to know who writes these job postings!
Yea, I liked the Job Title as well….
Entry Level Software Engineer……..
did I read that right? ENTRY LEVEL!!
http://jobsearch.money.cnn.com/a/all-jobs/list/q-Development+Engineer+-+Entry+Level/l-Pittsburgh,+PA
In 15 years of web development, working with some high end shops and clients, and many very skilled developers and designers, I can say I have never met this person and believe they don’t exist. If they do, they should be making a very comfortable 6 figures (200+?). If there is such a person, chances are that they haven’t seen the light of day in 10+ years.
Simply put, the vast amount of knowledge, and time required to gain that knowledge, and excel at these, would be incredible.
Hi Guys. Thanks for the heads up on our recent job postings… we understand we’re reaching a bit, but we’re simply looking for some applicants who possess a majority of the skills we’re looking for… whether they exist or not… testing the waters per-se. We appreciate your comments and honestly, we hope that by seeing them we’re able to refine our descriptions and actually find better suited candidates. In the meantime, we’ve taken the time to update both of our jobs posted on the Career Connector in terms of what we seem to think as more “realistic” skill requirements… BUT we would love to have your thoughts on the new postings… and we would love you and your readers’ help to make it the most realistic we can be. Thanks again.
Doesn’t seem that far off what a lot of people *claim* on their CVs, no?
Anyway, I’m not far off a full house…
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>> Understanding, Knowledge, and Experience with All (yes, indeedy, they said ALL)
>> Common Programming Languages (Java, C#, SQL, Visual Basic, HTML C++, Etc.)
Yep. I do Java, SQL, HTML, Etc regularly. I’ve written a couple of C# and C++ apps, and debugged VB apps.
>> Android Platform SDK Knowledge and Experience
Yep, I’ve fiddled with that. Yet to do anything useful with it.
>> Front-End and Back-End Database Knowledge
Easy.
>> Website Design and Development (Portfolio of Work Required)
A bit generic, but I’ve done plenty of both.
>> Excellent User Interface Development Experience and Knowledge
Yup.
>> Adobe Flash
I’ve used it. Not the latest version, but can feel my way around if I had to.
>> Adobe Dreamweaver
Fine.
>> Strong Graphic Design Understanding: Adobe Creative Suite
>> (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)
No problems here. Not done Illustrator, but plenty of similar apps.
>> eCommerce Knowledge and Experience
Yep.
>> SMS & MMS Knowledge and Experience
Yep. Don’t know *huge* amounts of the technical side, but I can use web services to send them.
>> Experience and Knowledge in Search Engine Optimization
Gah. Stupid term, but I certainly know all the relevant info.
>> iPhone SDK 3.0+ Knowledge and Experience (Portfolio of Work Desired)
Bugger. Nothing here, and would need a new Mac to get started.
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But yeah, if I was unemployed I could tick all those boxes in a few months; it’s not actually as hard as people seem to think.
Interestingly, the actual job posting has been refined – the “all” has been dropped from the languages, and the graphics stuff has been removed.
Meh.
Wow! Talk about shooting for the moon. I’ve read post like this too, where the company asks for everything and don’t want to pay (i.e probably why they only want 2-4 years experience). Because they know they could not sell the type of person who actually has those credentials (or something close) on the dream of making money, instead of actually paying them. All I can say is good luck with that.
@Peter: Exactly. Most people, myself included, could confidently say they have quality, production-level experience with several of the areas they mention. Even fewer could say they have solid experience with most. However, not all.
Except for Android development, I, too, could say I have limited experience with all of these. Could I confidently put them on my resume and say I’ve used them all regularly on live, supported projects. Absolutely not. That’s my point.
@cardeeoteam: I’m duly impressed. For someone to actually 1) be aware of the perception of an online job posting, and 2) respond appropriately is praiseworthy.
>> Could I confidently put them on my resume and say I’ve used them all
>> regularly on live, supported projects. Absolutely not. That’s my point.
But that’s not what they’re asking for.
My take is that they’re asking for knowledge and experience of them, to show you’re well rounded and have a good general understanding of relevant areas, rather than someone who’s been noodling away in a small niche for half a decade.
@cardeeoteam: Also, just to reflect what I hear over an over again from people in the industry. What’s the deal with requiring a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science?
From all accounts I’ve heard over the years, it has almost zero relevance. Sure it’s a nice to have, but if you put it down as a requirement, you are reducing your talent pool (and it’s usually the good talent) by a significant amount.
@Peter Boughton EXACTLY!! Obviously in a startup at the early stages we need people who can wear multiple hats, not simply proficient in one niche area. Unrealistic, maybe, but we want people who simply have some knowledge in how to start projects when we want to go in that direction without having to go back to school to learn how. We nimble, so when we decide to try and new products and have our users tell us what they like, we have some people on our team already who can pump out a prototype or beta just to see the response.
haha “we nimble”…”we’re nimble”… not hood.
@Steve Brownlee The requirement of a bachelor’s degree is simply our way of refining the search at the early stages. Yes, the true “genius” may be the self-taught drop-out at 14 to code, but for us, we need to be as efficient with our time and our money as we possibly can… simply requiring a degree helps us sift through the sea of resume submissions to find people that we know have had the “proper” training… agree?
@Steve Brownlee … I have a thought. Take it as you may, but why don’t we try and turn this into something really positive for both our company and your readers? This may be strange, or unheard of, by why don’t we get your readers involved in helping us refine our description and also in finding the right candidate? In a sense, we could involve your users as part of our HR team. Most people wouldn’t care, but some may be truly helpful… you already have been. We would be stupid to not take this as an opportunity to make this the best we possibly can. Listen, it is pretty obvious that we could use some help (we’ve used it already), and you’re a Pittsburgh guy… thoughts?
@ cardeeoteam:
Re: Degree requirement. I understand that some people feel that way, but it’s just a common misconception is all. All of the respected, efficient, talented folks I know have been properly trained – sans degree. However, you have a valid point in that it might help you weed out some of the chaff.
Re: Refinement/Search. I believe it’s an enlightened, and proactive approach. Most people who read me regularly are positive folks who are always willing to help out. Unfortunately, although I am a Pittsburgh (I will always bleed black & gold) guy, I am in Nashville now, but will put out the word to all my old contacts.
I’m one of the biggest advocates you’ll ever find for increasing the technical base in Pittsburgh. It’s the #1 reason I left. Other cities were offering far more promising career options.
I’m willing to put up another post with a more appropriate message, and a call to action to help find a great person for you.
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