I've hired a number of people. I'm usually not too picky about knowing a specific technology. I'm more interested in the soft skills, as well as proof they'd be able to pick things up quickly.
My reasons for NOT hiring someone:
- can't communicate well. I always ask them to draw something (like an ER diagram) and explain it.
- doesn't show examples of initiative
- doesn't seem passionate about career choice
- no examples of previous work
- (for recent CS graduates) can't explain something that should be part of standard CS study: eg NP completeness, what Big O notation means, etc.
My reasons for NOT hiring someone:
- can't communicate well. I always ask them to draw something (like an ER diagram) and explain it.
- doesn't show examples of initiative
- doesn't seem passionate about career choice
- no examples of previous work
- (for recent CS graduates) can't explain something that should be part of standard CS study: eg NP completeness, what Big O notation means, etc.