turnstep has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

This is not really a question about how to do something in perl, but nonetheless:

I find myself once again in job hunting mode, and specifically for something perl-related, of course. My problem is, how do I demonstrate perl skills to recruiters? There is no standardized test or certification that I know of (my opinion of most certification programs is low anyway). I cannot show example code, for the recruiters have NO technical knowledge (they are just now learning that is a language, like C and Java, and sometimes spell it "pearl"). I consider myself to be good at perl, but how can I demonstrate this to others? One is asking for a list of my "perl skills". TIA

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
RE: Demonstrating Perl nonetheless. Experience
by neshura (Chaplain) on May 03, 2000 at 01:51 UTC
    Hmmm...Marburg posted the last ref to this that I remember... http://www.activestate.com/reference/perl_mastery.htm

    Here's what I would do with it:

    1. Print it out
    2. In the margin, estimate the number of people that have reached each level (eg, 800,000, 400,000, 50,000, 100, 20, 1-3 -- you could use Perl monks as a subsample)
    3. Put a big red X where you think you stand.
    4. Put in envelope, seal, and snail mail.

    That should get the point across even to a non-technical person.

    e-mail neshura

[reply]
      I forgot about that link. neshura's idea is great. I am planning to do that for my next job hunt.
[reply]
Re: Demonstrating Perl nonetheless. Experience
by chromatic (Archbishop) on May 03, 2000 at 01:22 UTC
    I'd just make a list of some of the projects you've worked on -- it helps if you can point to them, saying something like "I've submitted Hash::Browner and Array::OfHope to CPAN, patched Slash which runs these websites, and hooked up a database running on the Mars probe to a web server on this Palm Pilot right here."

    That depends on your experience, though -- if your examples are all hidden away under NDA somewhere, then ask for a technical interview. Couldn't hurt.

    (There's no reason not to mention Perl Monks.)

[reply]
RE: Demonstrating Perl nonetheless. Experience
by Adam (Vicar) on May 03, 2000 at 01:21 UTC
    Damn good question. I've often wondered that myself. In fact, how do you demonstrate any of your skills to an inept recruiter. My answer is you don't. Find a technical head hunter and make it their problem. Thats what they live for. A good recruiter could do your job, they just don't like to. (Yes, I have met recruiters of that caliber... I got my current job through one.)

    One idea I had was to make a complex web site that used cgi scripting, perl, html, dhtml, xml, etc... only, the web site would be your resume. Then, when you go to an interview you tote your laptop with you and show off your work. Of course, thats only good if you have a laptop. After all, you want to be able to show off the source material for everything.

[reply]
Re: Demonstrating Perl nonetheless. Experience
by perlmonkey (Hermit) on May 03, 2000 at 01:41 UTC
    Recruiters are looking for buzzwords, so give them that (ie OOP, data structure, database, CGI). But more importantly they are looking for *people*. Explain to them the reasons why you want to be a perl programmer, and why you are a good perl programmer. I am not only a good perl programmer because I have submitted X module to Y site, I am a good programmer because I have a passion for perl and it is what I live for. I may not know everything, but dammit, I am *going* to know everyting.

    Basically my advice is try to connect on a human level, rather than a technical level. The recruiter will understand passion, and they know what skills they are looking for, so express your passion for the skills they want.

    Of course you should have a decent resume, and probably bring along some perl program printed out to submit that with your resume. The recruiter wont care about the code, but they know you have passion, so they will pass your resume on to someone who will care about the code. The content of the code is also not relevent, but make sure it is damn clean. Comment it so someone else can figure out what it does if they wanted to.

    chromatic is right, mention this site. I mean, we all read and comment on perl code for *fun*, that takes a very unique individual. And your reputation here is great.
[reply]
RE: Demonstrating Perl nonetheless. Experience
by cciulla (Friar) on May 03, 2000 at 02:35 UTC
    BrainBench has a certification for perl developers.

    I took it a couple of weeks ago and found it to be fairly tough. But, then again, I haven't done any production (read "real") perl development.

    Hope this helps.

[reply]
      I took that BrainBench certification exam as well. I must say that it's got some difficult questions. No, of course it doesn't test your skills usefully -- that would take a sample program -- but it covers a fair spread of data. I got a 3.72 out of a possible 5 (4 being 'master level') with my weak point identified as modules. I have decided to start hacking on the Net::ICQ module to improve my skills in this area.
[reply]
RE: Demonstrating Perl Experience
by wdr1 (Initiate) on May 03, 2000 at 09:23 UTC
    Kinda a Catch-22... I want to impress the recuiter with my skill set, but the recruiter doesn't understand my skill. I wouldn't worry too much about the recuiter. They tend to be easier to impress than employers. Have the buzzwords in there that most are looking for. To impress employers, sample code is the best way to go. It gives you a chance not only to show your knowledge of Perl, but you skill & styler as a developer as well. My 2 cents, -Bill
[reply]
      Thes last few job interviews I went on (October 2000, December 2000) both places had me write code on the spot. For one they gave me a half-hour to write a rudimentary web-server. Another asked me to do my own implmentation of hashes. It was kind of cool, much better than just having some schmuck from HR asking me what various things are.

      --
      perl -p -e "s/(?:\w);([st])/'\$1/mg"

[reply]

Back to Seekers of Perl Wisdom