You don't find "Superstars" -- you meet them and work or have
worked with them at some point in time.
It is not that difficult to figure out who they are,
things which are immediately apparent are: Their thinking
process is well defined, almost like a mathematical
theorem, layered, clear, defined; They always go the extra
mile, they always create and invent, code related to the
project, tools to help them in their process of their work
(i.e. things they aren't really required to do as part
of their work). They normally put things down on paper
before they put a single line of code. They try to "prove"
the design is correct before writing the code.
They aren't a programmer-of-all-trades. They are normally
dedicated to an industry, for example: security, networking,
filesystems, storage, etc. They are an expert in that field.
They have a university degree or two in related field:
mathematics, cs, eeng, physics, etc.
They've been tinkering with computers ever since they
remember themselves. All these factors tell you something.
Most importantly, really, is the word-of-mouth and/or
the experience working with them. It's an absolute
pleasure.
Many employers say: "We need the superstars", but beware:
"Superstars" have their opinions, which become immediately
apparent at an interview. It really turns out that
the employers aren't a match for the "superstars",
not that there aren't any "superstars" out there.
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You don't find "Superstars" -- you meet them and work or have worked with them at some point in time.
It is not that difficult to figure out who they are, things which are immediately apparent are: Their thinking process is well defined, almost like a mathematical theorem, layered, clear, defined; They always go the extra mile, they always create and invent, code related to the project, tools to help them in their process of their work (i.e. things they aren't really required to do as part of their work). They normally put things down on paper before they put a single line of code. They try to "prove" the design is correct before writing the code. They aren't a programmer-of-all-trades. They are normally dedicated to an industry, for example: security, networking, filesystems, storage, etc. They are an expert in that field. They have a university degree or two in related field: mathematics, cs, eeng, physics, etc. They've been tinkering with computers ever since they remember themselves. All these factors tell you something.
Most importantly, really, is the word-of-mouth and/or the experience working with them. It's an absolute pleasure.
Many employers say: "We need the superstars", but beware: "Superstars" have their opinions, which become immediately apparent at an interview. It really turns out that the employers aren't a match for the "superstars", not that there aren't any "superstars" out there.