Need Advice for Hiring an employee w/ SQL and/or ASP exp

[Rexolio]

Hi all,

I've been doing the majority of the work for my company web site for the past 3 years. Our web site is very large, supported by a SQL Server 2000 backend and scripted predominately in ASP.

We've grown to the point that running the site, doing database administration and adding new features is more than I can handle. Therefore I've been given the authority (and the budget) to hire our first employee for the internet department.

I could use your input, as this is new for me. I'm mostly self-taught and frequent this site a LOT. In addition, because I've been doing everything myself over the last 3 years, I've become a HUGE paranoid control freak! Figuring out what to turn over to someone is driving me nuts. The employee will have to work at home (like me) which makes supervising hard. I'm also afraid of turning over too much control and access of the web site to someone I barely know.

And advise you could give in regards to searching for, reviewing resumes (what to look for), hiring, supervising and administrating our internet program would be a HUGE help to me. If you need anymore info from me, let me know.

Thanks everyone!

rexolio@bellsouth.net
"I'm not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." - Calvin, of Calvin and Hobbes

 

[onpnt]

Where are you I'm available
Have them bring a portfolio of work.
When I go to an interview I have a small but complete binder of past work I've done. I include examples of scripts I've written for DB's and function examples of retime interactions with in a user.

I also bring references to what I've done for the one seeking a employee can see live online app's

Schooling is a high priority.
Look for not so much a typical degree in CS but specialized cert's and degrees in either an associate in programming/development including courses in regards to web envelopment and the cert's on ASP development, Internet technologies etc.

All of these things can and most often are required with a submission of a resume for qualifications

References: ask for past employers and clients for references.

Of course you're not going to know the individual but that is where the interview is critical. Get to know them as much as you can in that short time period and you should be able to tell if that person can bring improvement and energy to your company.

The great thing about this field is if you land a good programmer which more then likely from my past co-workers are down to earth good people that do not need the high supervision and managing. They will know what they have to do and they will do it timely.

Hiring someone always has the possibility of getting a person that is going to be a bad choice and that's just part of the game, so make certain that you chose carefully.

In my opinion the best candidate is going to have good training and something to bring to the table to show of their knowledge and or competencies

Hope that helps
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ptr = /sleep/gi;Nstr = str.replace(ptr,"coffee"alert(Nstr); }

http://www.onpntwebdesigns.com

 

[Rexolio]

Thanks a lot for the info!!!

Anyone else have any input? I'd like to hear from as many people as possible. There's so many things to keep in mind:

- Do I want to hire a full time DBA to handle the database? But if I do, what if there turns out not to be enough work for them to do?

- Do I want to hire an ASP guru? But then, I'm scared to give them full FTP access?

Obviously there's so many things I could ask. Bottom line is, I just need to soul search and figure out what it is exactly I need and what will benefit the progress of our site more.

Your input is appreciated!!!
rexolio@bellsouth.net
"I'm not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." - Calvin, of Calvin and Hobbes

 

[Tarwn]

You may want to sit down and decide exactly what portions of your work you are willing to delagate to someone else. Being able to draw some somewhat firm boundries will help you make more specific demands and decisons during the process. Perhaps you want to only turn over the DB maintenance to someone, but continue to do regular page maintenance and feature addition (as well as creating new DB designs/alterarions that the DBA can handle) or perhaps you want someone to work more side-by-side with you, where they won't necessarally be working on the same projects as you are, but will be an all-rounder, helping withthe maintenance, but also taking care of their own portion of new features.

To answer your question concerning ftp access, it is not difficult to set up a duplicate "development" machine for the person that will be in every way a mirror image of the "production" machine. True it's a machine that someone has to setup and pay for, but then you only have to give ftp access to the development machine. Of course, if you can't trust them with ftp access, should they be working for you? If it's a general security issue concerning people intercepting passwords and such I would consider looking into VPN software or SSH.

I think onpnt definately had a good list up there that I can't think of anything else to add to.

Hey onpnt, your hired $1/year if you can find a way to make me that much in profit and do all the work for me...and not claim it on your taxes...

-Tarwn --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
No more vacation for me

FAQ FAQ20-2863
= new Forums.Posting.General.GettingAnswers()

 

[onpnt]

$1 a year. hmm..

does it have to be in writing

I don't think I could handle a 25 cent decrease from what they give me now. But if you didn't add all the extras there I might have thought about it.


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{ str = "sleep is good for you. sleep gives you the energy you need to function";
ptr = /sleep/gi;Nstr = str.replace(ptr,"coffee"alert(Nstr); }

http://www.onpntwebdesigns.com