What do employers look for in a Web Developer?

(pdf download) 2009-06-02 10:25:34

The Web Development market is saturated, even with new languages coming into play all the time. What is the best language to learn to make you more in employable? I will address at a later date. Putting the languages aside for now, employers also look at the candidates from various other angles. Are they team players? Can they collaborate? Are they continuously learning?

In our industry the tools of our trade are constantly changing and improving - a developer with 20 years experience who uses the same technology and techniques all the time without learning and using anything new may as well only have 1 year experience. Whereas a developer with 5 years experience who continually keeps up with the cutting edge technologies and skills are second to none, could be worth more than 10 years - this would still be increasing at an exponential rate.

How do employers know how to tell the difference between a Web Developer and a Dedicated Web Enthusiast? The candidates will say just about anything to get the job and definitely say what the employer would like to hear. When I was interviewing candidates in my previous roles, I had a few questions which would shed some light on that area:

1. What forums do you belong too?
2. What other projects have you worked on besides the ones in your 9-5 role?
3. What books/blogs do you read/follow?

If the answer to any of the above question is none, then I would be a little concerned If the candidate answered none to all the questions, then alarm bells start ringing!