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mat
14,216 PointsDo job postings exaggerate their requirements?
Sometimes I look at job postings and I feel really discouraged. This is a typical example for a php programmer (This is average, but there are others that require even more things):
Mandatory Skills Excellent object oriented PHP 5.3+ Knowledge of design patterns and when (or not) to use them Strong MySQL JavaScript/AJAX/jQuery TDD/BDD experience Good knowledge of Linux
Desirable Skills Mobile web experience Experience with Symfony 2 components or other PHP frameworks Propel experience HTML5 technologies Experience with Git
Nice to Have JS frameworks - Angular, React etc. AWS experience Google App Engine NGINX experience Experience in an agile environment Another language - Java, Python, C++ etc
Even studying hard, how is possible to match these requirements? It's true probably, without real job experience, one should aim to an entry position, but honestly I don't see very often job postings for entry positions.
And even in this case which requirements are mandatory, for an entry position in PHP?
2 Answers
James Anwyl
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 49,960 PointsSome job postings definitely do exaggerate their requirements.
Some jobs are posted by recruiters with no experience in web development who may just add as many keywords as they can to the advert. Some are posted by companies with very specific requirements. Some are posted by companies who don't really know what they want.
Whether the requirements are mandatory or not depends entirely on who is offering the job. My idea of 'strong' PHP skills might be totally different to your idea.
It is possible to match all the requirements in the job you posted. But would take most people several years to get to that level. I hear what you're saying about there not being many entry level positions though.
A good way of showing your skills to prospective employers is by building a portfolio. This way they can assess your skills for themselves and decide if you fit the description. A CV or resume doesn't really tell you anything.
I would say if in doubt, apply anyway. What do you have to lose?
Sam Deacon
2,650 PointsThe thing that really throws me is the lack of entry level dev postings, yet quite a few 'developer' or 'junior developer' jobs. I have literally seen:
job position: junior php developer
salary: up to £25,000
required: 5 years OO PHP experience in a commercial setting
...what??
but then I did spot one position was like
junior developer
salary: up to £24,000
required: minimum 6 months experience html css javascript, php mysql ideally some experience