This is suitable for someone with 0-3 years of software experience. By software I mean you’re comfortable with doing a bunch of technical computer stuff. I’m looking for someone who is a quick learner, a perpetual learner, and what they say as a “self-starter.” You also need to have the fundamentals for networking, programming, and software engineering concepts.

Major plus is if you can actually code. It’s not required, but it helps a lot. Most sought after skill would be one of a DBA’s, so if you’re comfortable with SQL that is pretty nice. But SQL is relatively easy to pick up, no biggie. I think if you’re handy with python or perl, that goes a much further way. By handy I mean it in the xkcd way, where I can throw you a problem and you can carve your way out with them. Obviously if you’re good with Java, well, that works even better because we also have opening for Java devs.

Since this is the QA posting I’m writing about, our main environment is on Unix. Our devs run Eclipse on ClearQuest, and uses windows PCs. QA now use AIX, Solaris and RHL! Because that’s what production runs on! There are also web GUI stuff, but that’s something anyone can do. Just like I don’t really care if you don’t know how to use MS Outlook.

Strong communication skills are not a must, but very important especially if you are inexperienced. My buddy Ivan is young and inexperienced and his communication skills are there, so he is doing well. Too bad he’s also not experienced at communicating technical things. Drives me insane~ Our oldest QA tester has probably the worst communication skills, but he’s actually quite sharp and very experienced, so he gets by. But he is incapable of doing a lot of the stuff I do despite being better at some other things. Well, teamwork works like that, right?

All that is truly required for this job degree-wise is a BS. We obviously strongly favor those with a technical degree like computer science, computer engineering, etc. Again, this is a tech job. And we can’t even pay you so-so pay if you don’t have the paper to show for.

How is the work? The worst part is that it’s in midtown, which means a long commute for me. But being comfortable in a city environment (a real city no less) I like the opportunities NYC brings you. Lots of great food, too. So it kind of balances out. The pay is not the greatest, but at least there’s a lot of opportunity to advance. I think it’s a great first job if you’re still looking for one, it’s a safe and comfortable, dynamic environment. You’re more likely to be left alone than to be over-nurtured, if you want some indication of how things are.

To apply, send me an email with your resume. It helps if I know you.