Thoughts on pro-actively seeking employment

Skeeter · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:31

To be honest, if I was a web developer seeking work, the first thing I would do is make a nice looking fully functional personal website...

A plain white boring looking site with little information and links that don't work isn't a good starting point.

Just a suggestion...

Wicksta · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:42

Skeeter said:
To be honest, if I was a web developer seeking work, the first thing I would do is make a nice looking fully functional personal website...

A plain white boring looking site with little information and links that don't work isn't a good starting point.

Just a suggestion...

Wow, definitely this. I just had a look at the link and if I was looking for a web developer I wouldn't be impressed that they hadn't even developed their own website or had made it look like that. The content appears to be recycled HOWTOs of the most basic of tasks as well. I'm sure your skills have improved a lot since you created that site Mike but for now I'd remove it, or at least any reference to the mike-hughes.net domain from your CV because that's exactly what people will be checking.

Ev0 · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:46

[TW]Fox;18531073 said:
If I wanted a web developer I'd be nervous about hiring somebody who said:

I wouldn't be particulay worried depending on what he's being hired for, web development and web design in a lot of places are pretty different things.

For instance our web dev isn't particularly design savvy, but he can code like anything.

Then it's over to the web designer to make it all look pretty on the screen

MikeHiow · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:51

[TW]Fox;18531073 said:
Because you'd potentially hire MikeHiow is his point I think

If I wanted a web developer I'd be nervous about hiring somebody who said:

You're on a roll with these ridiculous statements recently, aren't you?

Why does a web developer need any design skills?

Wicksta said:
Wow, definitely this. I just had a look at the link and if I was looking for a web developer I wouldn't be impressed that they hadn't even developed their own website or had made it look like that. The content appears to be recycled HOWTOs of the most basic of tasks as well. I'm sure your skills have improved a lot since you created that site Mike but for now I'd remove it, or at least any reference to the mike-hughes.net domain from your CV because that's exactly what people will be checking.

You have a good point, but I really have no desire to have a personal website which is blatantly obvious from the lack of articles on there.

Perhaps I'll just add some contact details and stick my portfolio there, instead.

MikeHiow · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:55

Ev0 said:
For instance our web dev isn't particularly design savvy, but he can code like anything.

Then it's over to the web designer to make it all look pretty on the screen

This. Take the current project I'm working on for example. I get given the main design to HTML/CSS, once I've done this I start coding and any design stuff is structured properly in terms of HTML with a rough layout knock up CSS wise and then when it's done, our design guy comes in and makes it all look pretty.

Quite often though, I don't even write any HTML/CSS stuff as it is provided by the design and then HTML/CSS guys.

Gustov · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:06

I've got a degree in Film and Television and have completed 2 x work experiences (1 abroad) and 2 x Internships at BFI and Premier PR and still can't get a job...

I've gotta say though, if I had a vagina, I'm pretty sure I'd have a job in PR by now.

Skeeter · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:08

MikeHiow said:
You have a good point, but I really have no desire to have a personal website which is blatantly obvious from the lack of articles on there.

Perhaps I'll just add some contact details and stick my portfolio there, instead.

Seriously? The only thing worse than a web developer with a poor personal website is a web developer with no website at all!

Its a fundamental basic requirement. Without one you would be like a painter and decorator with no brushes, or a lorry driver with no license!

Surely if your a competent web developer it cant be difficult for you to build something simple yet decent looking in no time?

RickST · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:10

I agree, In my place Designers and Developers are totally separate. Designers produce graphics, developers produce the code. Although I would expect Developers to be able to produce all of their own xhtml and css.

MikeHiow · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:11

Skeeter said:
Seriously? The only thing worse than a web developer with a poor personal website is a web developer with no website at all!

Its a fundamental basic requirement. Without one you would be like a painter and decorator with no brushes, or a lorry driver with no license!

Surely if your a competent web developer it cant be difficult for you to build something simple yet decent looking in no time?

No website is better than a pointless one. I've worked with several freelancers over the last few years, and only one had their own website. The rest had various random holding pages if they had a domain.

I'm not sure your analogy works, they are tools of their trade, I do not need a personal website to develop sites.

It isn't a case of competence or even time, it is all about interest - I have nothing interesting to create a website about, and have no interest in putting up my personal life on a website. If anything goes there, it will be my portfolio.

RickST · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:13

Skeeter said:
Seriously? The only thing worse than a web developer with a poor personal website is a web developer with no website at all!

Its a fundamental basic requirement. Without one you would be like a painter and decorator with no brushes, or a lorry driver with no license!

Surely if your a competent web developer it cant be difficult for you to build something simple yet decent looking in no time?

I don't agree, I am much more interested in the work they have done in the past. I don't have a personal website because I just don't have time around my 9-5 job, freelance work and social life.

Skeeter · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:15

MikeHiow said:
It isn't a case of competence or even time, it is all about interest - I have nothing interesting to create a website about, and have no interest in putting up my personal life on a website. If anything goes there, it will be my portfolio.

If you are interested in getting a job, and a website will help you get that job, then surely you should be interested in building a website? Its some simple advertising of yourself.

At least put up something useful though, like links to your portfolio and contact details and your CV. Anything is better than what is there now. Its not like its going to take you more than a few minutes is it?

MikeHiow · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:24

Skeeter said:
If you are interested in getting a job, and a website will help you get that job, then surely you should be interested in building a website? Its some simple advertising of yourself.

At least put up something useful though, like links to your portfolio and contact details and your CV. Anything is better than what is there now. Its not like its going to take you more than a few minutes is it?

I've already stated that I'm probably going to replace the site with my portfolio?

Skeeter · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:29

MikeHiow said:
I've already stated that I'm probably going to replace the site with my portfolio?

You've also stated that you'd rather not have a site at all :confused:

Apologies that I appear unable to keep up with your constant changing of mind or opinion. God forbid anyone actually posts their opinion in a thread asking for peoples opinions.

Just keep going as you are, its clearly working out fine for you...

hurfdurf · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:31

Gustov said:
I've got a degree in Film and Television and have completed 2 x work experiences (1 abroad) and 2 x Internships at BFI and Premier PR and still can't get a job...

I've gotta say though, if I had a vagina, I'm pretty sure I'd have a job in PR by now.

Where is your degree from and what grade did you get?

MikeHiow · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:32

MikeHiow said:
You have a good point, but I really have no desire to have a personal website which is blatantly obvious from the lack of articles on there.

Perhaps I'll just add some contact details and stick my portfolio there, instead.

Sorry, but I thought that post was pretty clear?

I am not criticising you offering your opinion, even though I don't believe a web developer needs a personal website, I've taken it on board and decided to take action on it, I think we've just got our wires crossed.

GolfNovember90 · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:42

i thought job hunting by its very nature was 'pro-active' ?

shifty_uk · 23 Feb 2011 at 15:50

It's funny when the Motors regulars pro-actively seek out MikeHiow threads to jump in and aimlessly criticise everything he says.

Gustov · 23 Feb 2011 at 16:52

hurfdurf said:
Where is your degree from and what grade did you get?

University of Hertfordshire, missed a first by 1/2%

MikeHiow · 3 Mar 2011 at 19:31

Well, I had an interview at Rick's place today, it went well and I received really positive feedback. The only voiced concern was the commute.

I find out Tomorrow or Monday.

[TW]Fox · 3 Mar 2011 at 19:33

Good luck