I should clarify this point since many people obviously misunderstood it. First of all, we don't rely exclusively on the buzz-word test. Screening resumes for the basics just makes sense. If we're looking for a senior mod_perl engineer, it would be ideal for "mod_perl", or any potential spelling variant, to appear somewhere in the resume. We do skim through the mass of resumes as they arrive, but will also do a quick index search for likely hot hits that require that we respond immediately. What constitutes a hot hit depends upon the specific needs for that role (e.g., location, skill level, specific skills, degree, etc.).
With regard to the H1-B issue this has nothing to do with compensation, not wanted to hire Americans, etc. It does have to do with bringing together the top people in a given area of expertise. A quick review of founders and committers to top open source projects (e.g., apache, mod_perl, etc.) will include people from just about every nation in the world. Believing that only Americans can lead and provide cutting-edge solutions to software development is simply xenophobic. The issue in question is bringing together the best in the field regardless of national barriers not taking jobs from equally qualified Americans.
With regard to your comment about recent college grads... We're talking at people who typically have different levels of expertise and experience. The H1-B applicant I was referring to, although I shouldn't limit this only to H1-B visas since there are a number of different work visa types, is normally more experienced than a recent graduate if applying for a senior-level position. If you recently graduated and are a proven open source guru, then great! Having a CS degree can provide a strong foundation in development and we do look for people with degrees for that reason. However, not having a CS degree doesn't restrict you from the pool of very talented open source visionaries. It does, unfortunately in my opinion, limit your ability to work in the States.
Clearly, all of these comments should be limited to a specific discussion on building a team of technology elites and not general hiring. Other complex issues regarding the general state of the market, the current availability (over availability?) of talent in certain technologies/career levels, just compensation, other visa issues (not just H1-B) etc. are a different matter and open to discussion.
Slashdot Mirror
You're right. The article was supposed to say ReserveAmerica.com! Good catch. Todd
With regard to the H1-B issue this has nothing to do with compensation, not wanted to hire Americans, etc. It does have to do with bringing together the top people in a given area of expertise. A quick review of founders and committers to top open source projects (e.g., apache, mod_perl, etc.) will include people from just about every nation in the world. Believing that only Americans can lead and provide cutting-edge solutions to software development is simply xenophobic. The issue in question is bringing together the best in the field regardless of national barriers not taking jobs from equally qualified Americans.
With regard to your comment about recent college grads... We're talking at people who typically have different levels of expertise and experience. The H1-B applicant I was referring to, although I shouldn't limit this only to H1-B visas since there are a number of different work visa types, is normally more experienced than a recent graduate if applying for a senior-level position. If you recently graduated and are a proven open source guru, then great! Having a CS degree can provide a strong foundation in development and we do look for people with degrees for that reason. However, not having a CS degree doesn't restrict you from the pool of very talented open source visionaries. It does, unfortunately in my opinion, limit your ability to work in the States.
Clearly, all of these comments should be limited to a specific discussion on building a team of technology elites and not general hiring. Other complex issues regarding the general state of the market, the current availability (over availability?) of talent in certain technologies/career levels, just compensation, other visa issues (not just H1-B) etc. are a different matter and open to discussion.