4 ms·

Ask HN: What are the skills a web developer must have for a lead or senior role?

2 points by darth_coder 5y ago

gregjor 5y ago
If I was hiring someone for a senior/lead web developer job I would look for a history of increasing responsibility building web sites, especially something of similar scale to what I'm working on. Domain expertise (i.e. experience in my business domain or something similar) would be a big plus. I would want the candidate to demonstrate a solid understanding of front-end, back-end, databases, security, scaling, and hosting. I would also expect a lead/senior candidate to have experience leading teams and projects, and working constructively with stakeholders. When I have interviewed for or pitched myself (I freelance doing mostly web development and systems admin) I have focused on my experience, domain expertise, and understanding of core web technologies. I can point to multiple web sites I have written from scratch or done significant work on, and I can give references from customers, former managers, and people I have led/managed. I would expect a senior person to have similar experience, portfolio, and references.
- darth_coder 5y ago
  For developers working in web development companies, business domain knowledge is not going to a be strong point as they will be building web apps for multiple clients on different business domains.
  - gregjor 5y ago
    Business domain knowledge is always a big plus. It may not be a deal-breaker. Someone who works for a web development shop or an agency can't know in advance what domains they might work in, but if they can demonstrate domain expertise from previous jobs that at least shows they have the interest and ability to pick up new business domains. The least useful developers over the long term are those who focus solely on technical skills, willfully ignoring the business and its priorities and requirements.
stephenr 5y ago
IMO the most important skill is the ability to say "no" to flavour-of-the-week trends. And before people jump up and down, that doesn't mean avoiding any new technology invented after 2005.
ssss11 5y ago
When I was young I thought you should get promoted for being better than others at a particular thing but this is incorrect. To lead a group in anything you need to put the team before yourself, you need to want to (and be able to) guide individuals to improve themselves, you need to have the confidence to show them the way and you need to have the courage to protect them from being hounded by others so that they can get on with their job.

2 points by darth_coder 5y ago

If I was hiring someone for a senior/lead web developer job I would look for a history of increasing responsibility building web sites, especially something of similar scale to what I'm working on. Domain expertise (i.e. experience in my business domain or something similar) would be a big plus. I would want the candidate to demonstrate a solid understanding of front-end, back-end, databases, security, scaling, and hosting. I would also expect a lead/senior candidate to have experience leading teams and projects, and working constructively with stakeholders. When I have interviewed for or pitched myself (I freelance doing mostly web development and systems admin) I have focused on my experience, domain expertise, and understanding of core web technologies. I can point to multiple web sites I have written from scratch or done significant work on, and I can give references from customers, former managers, and people I have led/managed. I would expect a senior person to have similar experience, portfolio, and references.

darth_coder 5y ago
For developers working in web development companies, business domain knowledge is not going to a be strong point as they will be building web apps for multiple clients on different business domains.
- gregjor 5y ago
  Business domain knowledge is always a big plus. It may not be a deal-breaker. Someone who works for a web development shop or an agency can't know in advance what domains they might work in, but if they can demonstrate domain expertise from previous jobs that at least shows they have the interest and ability to pick up new business domains. The least useful developers over the long term are those who focus solely on technical skills, willfully ignoring the business and its priorities and requirements.

stephenr 5y ago

IMO the most important skill is the ability to say "no" to flavour-of-the-week trends. And before people jump up and down, that doesn't mean avoiding any new technology invented after 2005.

ssss11 5y ago

When I was young I thought you should get promoted for being better than others at a particular thing but this is incorrect. To lead a group in anything you need to put the team before yourself, you need to want to (and be able to) guide individuals to improve themselves, you need to have the confidence to show them the way and you need to have the courage to protect them from being hounded by others so that they can get on with their job.