3 ms·

Couldn't you say something like we're hiring one person and we're open to many experience levels but here's the grades: New Grad (Software Developer I):X-Y Sr

Couldn't you say something like we're hiring one person and we're open to many experience levels but here's the grades: New Grad (Software Developer I):X-Y Sr. (Software Developer II): Y-Z 10+ Yrs Experience or whatever (Software Developer III): Z-ZZ

freedomben 5y ago
Yes kind of, but it's a matrix of variables and level is only one column. Breadth and depth of technology is also a factor. For example, a hastily written description: Looking for smart, motivated people of varying skill levels and expertise who want to make an actual difference in the world using technology to improve lives. Technologies particularly desired are typescript, react, php, laravel, elixir, kubernetes app dev, kubernetes infra (especially linkerd, logging, monitoring), terraform, cloud infra, ansible, web app security, infra security, experience with SOC2 requirements. Prefer senior candidates but open to less experienced but motivated people. If we get a seasoned pro with experience in many of those, it could mean we only have to hire one or two people and the budget can go to salary. If we have to hire 4 to 5 new grads and train them, there's a whole lot less available for salary.
- jnwatson 5y ago
  It is clear to me a lot of folks posting haven’t tried to hire a developer lately. The tack you’re taking is the only one I’ve found that works for small orgs: be flexible about experience and try to build a team around whom you can find.
  - freedomben 5y ago
    Yes, exactly my feeling as well.
- tehjoker 5y ago
  That seems reasonable, but at the same time it does sound like there would just be a disproportionate difference between the bottom and top levels. I can see how gray area mixes would require more careful calibration. One way to do this would be to look at your best and worst (group) cases and set the ranges according to those numbers. Having a fixed budget makes planning a lot easier. Probably more difficult if the budget is more fuzzy.

freedomben 5y ago

Yes kind of, but it's a matrix of variables and level is only one column. Breadth and depth of technology is also a factor. For example, a hastily written description: Looking for smart, motivated people of varying skill levels and expertise who want to make an actual difference in the world using technology to improve lives. Technologies particularly desired are typescript, react, php, laravel, elixir, kubernetes app dev, kubernetes infra (especially linkerd, logging, monitoring), terraform, cloud infra, ansible, web app security, infra security, experience with SOC2 requirements. Prefer senior candidates but open to less experienced but motivated people. If we get a seasoned pro with experience in many of those, it could mean we only have to hire one or two people and the budget can go to salary. If we have to hire 4 to 5 new grads and train them, there's a whole lot less available for salary.

jnwatson 5y ago
It is clear to me a lot of folks posting haven’t tried to hire a developer lately. The tack you’re taking is the only one I’ve found that works for small orgs: be flexible about experience and try to build a team around whom you can find.
- freedomben 5y ago
  Yes, exactly my feeling as well.
tehjoker 5y ago
That seems reasonable, but at the same time it does sound like there would just be a disproportionate difference between the bottom and top levels. I can see how gray area mixes would require more careful calibration. One way to do this would be to look at your best and worst (group) cases and set the ranges according to those numbers. Having a fixed budget makes planning a lot easier. Probably more difficult if the budget is more fuzzy.