Caporegime
Looking for a bit of advice from people who are either part of the recruitment process at a company or those that have recently found jobs in this sector.
Basically I have been a web developer for the best part of 8 years now since I left university. Mainly php, mysql, javascript, html and css but I am fine with most aspects of server management etc. I am self employed at the moment but I think that in order to improve and work on better projects I need to work for a company that pushes me and actively tries to improve their staff.
Whenever I look at jobs in this sector I am amazed at what the job descriptions want. They appear to suggest that they want someone good at all of the skills above, all to a very high standard. I don't know if my version of expert is different to others but in my view there are very few people who are genuinely great at backend and front-end. Most of them require you to have a "flair for design" and know illustrator and photoshop. Again, I can use photoshop fine, Illustrator I can just about use ok. Design eye wise I can tweak and modify designs but don't ask me to design something from scratch without something to direct me massively.
Is this just recruiters being clueless idiots and using a default "web developer" job description they have written at some point or are actual firms writing this stuff themselves. I worry that I would go for an interview and they laugh at me for not being a world beater in all these areas or all the other candidates will have these skills and I won't get a look in.
What tips would you give to me when looking for jobs in this area and where is the best place to look for them? I live in south east london but I am happy to commute into the centre.
Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.
Basically I have been a web developer for the best part of 8 years now since I left university. Mainly php, mysql, javascript, html and css but I am fine with most aspects of server management etc. I am self employed at the moment but I think that in order to improve and work on better projects I need to work for a company that pushes me and actively tries to improve their staff.
Whenever I look at jobs in this sector I am amazed at what the job descriptions want. They appear to suggest that they want someone good at all of the skills above, all to a very high standard. I don't know if my version of expert is different to others but in my view there are very few people who are genuinely great at backend and front-end. Most of them require you to have a "flair for design" and know illustrator and photoshop. Again, I can use photoshop fine, Illustrator I can just about use ok. Design eye wise I can tweak and modify designs but don't ask me to design something from scratch without something to direct me massively.
Is this just recruiters being clueless idiots and using a default "web developer" job description they have written at some point or are actual firms writing this stuff themselves. I worry that I would go for an interview and they laugh at me for not being a world beater in all these areas or all the other candidates will have these skills and I won't get a look in.
What tips would you give to me when looking for jobs in this area and where is the best place to look for them? I live in south east london but I am happy to commute into the centre.
Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.