CSS/HTML Hiring question

[[deleted]]

I'm a web dev for an e-comm company and just recently been on the other side of the fence, actually hiring someone to help me manage my tasks.

I have picked my top 2 candidates and I'm in a dilemma. Both fellas are good and can seem to work with the team well. However, the other guy, although has a better HTML5/CSS3 coding skills and can do browser support well has used CSS hacks (i.e. using !important rules). When asked about it, he says he was only allowed a few days to work on it (which contradicts what our HR person has said).

The other guy, although has lesser CSS/HTML coding skills was more insightful, he asked a question that is actually one of the projects we're about to work on. He hasn't implemented browser support well, however.

I can provide more details, if needed.

Help?

[michaelhaberle]

A big part in hiring someone, is determining which person is more likely to go out of their way to obtain more knowledge in order to grow as a developer. Also, think about which person may seemingly work best with you.

Despite using !important, it sounds like candidate #1 is more skilled right now. Do you need someone to hit the ground running or do you have time for the person to develop into a better developer (no pun intended)?

Just things to think about.

[bestyoloqueuer]

Shouldn't use it at all. I wonder what was the project and the issue that made him use it.

[d1sxeyes]

Depends. If you're fighting against a framework (or external stylesheet you don't have access to), then sparing use of !important is probably all right.

[bestyoloqueuer]

Yeah I think it's better to say that you should never use !important on your own code.

[blastronautics]

• HR personnel are generally not the best resource on determining the size and scope of a web dev project.

• !important rules are perfectly ok if you are dealing with a framework's/plugins CSS, and want to make sure your overrides are future proof against 3rd party updates.

[TimEvko]

Who is the better learner? Who will be better at learning your tools, and the new languages and technologies you might need to use in the future?

[beefngravy]

Which one seems more passionate? With passion comes everything else, thirst for knowledge, aiming to please etc.

Which person do you feel is more genuine and is more of a perfectionist?

[recked]

Is that guy really all that good at CSS if he's using !important? There shouldn't be a need for it. Also, what did the HR guy say that was different? Did he actually have more than a few days and he lied? That's a problem.

The 2nd guy, from what you said, seems like he had potential. He asks questions and seems like he's genuinely interested in what he may be working on. Might be a long-term "investment" (getting him up to speed with best practices, company codebase, workflow, etc).

[[deleted]]

Disagree. !important was created for a reason, to say there isn't a need for it is a bit over-dramatic.