Java Developer Interview Question

Question

I worked at a fortune 500 insurance company for almost 2 years. I worked on a reporting application that used Java, XML, XSLT, JavaScript, AJAX.

It was a J2EE application but it didn't use any of the major frameworks like Struts, Spring, EJB, any ORM, JAXP, JAXB.

But we developed our own software in house that could do that stuff. But now that I'm out of a job and searching I'm having trouble getting attention in the job market because I don't have experience with those frameworks at work even though I have been learning that stuff at home.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can spin it in my favor. Or am I just screwed?

Answer 1

I'd suggest carry on doing what you're doing and look into it on your own time, perhaps putting together some simple projects using the tech.

Then you can include the experience in your CV / cover letter which should be enough to get you in the door.

To me (in general) a developer that pursues new knowledge and experience in their own time is going to be much more of a priority to interview than one that doesn't.

Answer 2

Update your CV (there is always something that you did well and forgot to mention), create accounts on job searching/offering sites, more socializing...meeting new people there is always a chance something to come up. Good luck

Answer 3

I've found this to be an inherent problem when you go through the regular recruitment channels for large corporations (particularly in financial services).

I think hiring managers list as many technologies as possible to make the role seem sexy, then recruitment agents and HR see each technology as required and worse equal - for example Java and JAXB would be given an equal footing when the reality is that no knowing Java would likely exclude you from the role but not knowing JAXB shouldn't.

The first place you can address this is in your CV. Add a skill summary straight after minimal personal details (the agencies will likely block these out anyway) that contains a list of all the technologies you've used and the level of exposure to them - it doesn't matter where this exposure came from (include your efforts on home projects), just be sure to only add technologies you could competently answer questions in.

The one thing I'd say with gaining experience on you own is do it with a 'real-project', doesn't matter what that is just so long as you could reasonably expect to achieve something with it. If asked about a particular technology used in this way it makes you look good because you're taking an active interest in development and because you answer won't just be 'well I did the tutorials'. I once struck a cord (and got a job) because I'd been using ANTLR on a home project, even though it wasn't a requirement for the role.

For financial services also include business areas you've worked in, this like the technologies is important although the same bias occurs here, the downside being it's tough to really learn this stuff on your own.

Because agents and HR will rarely read past the skill summary your details should now make it to the hiring manager, which is where the description of previous roles becomes important. Make sure this easy to read and specific to what you did rather than the team as a whole - sure a search on Google will turn up tips for this.

And finally, possibly the biggest increases in responses I've noticed when looking for work was to include a email signature that contained my phone number. The sad reality is the agents probably don't even read your CV but go from your email and a phone call - so you've gotta make it as easy as possible for them to make that phone call.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You could add a section on technologies, evaluated and rejected. :)

[edit] That might even be not such a bad idea. It would trigger my attention. Just make sure you can explain clearly the evaluation criteria, where they failed, and why they might have been seen as a good choice (at the time) for the company you want to work for.

Answer 5

Just state JEE knowledge and put the "creation of a model-view-controller framework similar to whatever" as one of the bullets.

If you want to demonstrate you can learn, e.g. if you cannot immediately locate a new job, then consider getting a Sun certification. Those are non-trivial to get, and demonstrate either that you knew it already or that you can learn it reasonably fast.

Answer 6

@skaffman, It's a pity but the real world is like that. Even if people do understand that you might be able to get the job done or possibly will be able to, they usually avoid such things.

There's no point putting the job that is not done at work(Open Source, etc.) on the cv

You might call it employer caution or employer stupidity but still... Even if what you've done in your free time might be more advanced that people do at the company, it doesn't count. From "experience" it's just a waste of time, if you force yourself too much. Read about what interest you first, and try to improve your skills, one step at the time.

If you want to stay competitive in the job market

Avoid companies who are using Struts and all the legacy stuff. Those companies are usually getting nowhere, no they won't upgrade and no you won't introduce new things or use new technologies, so you basically don't learn much there.

Stay proud

I've been interviewed at many companies where people say "We use the greatest and latest technologies". You might not even worked with any technology that they use, but as soon as you start talking with the senior developers, you understand that they're not your match. Stay proud, keep applying to job, don't give up, value your skils.

The fact that you never used Hibernate doesn't matter. You weren't paid to use Hibernate, Struts, etc. If the employer annoys you with that tell him straight like that. If he keeps bothering you about technologies that you don't use, it means he wants to make you feel weak and later offer you a low salary. Stay firm, tell him the same thing and if he keeps on bothering you, just leave and keep applying.

Sooner or later someone will contact you, and hopefully with a decent offer.

Cheers