VB Jobs - what should I look for?

[billwagnon]

A guy I have known for a few years is now an IT director for an Internet company. His experiences at our former employer parallel mine - I'm not in the systems department, so most of what I do is taken as an attack on systems.

He said I should come by and sit with a couple of the VB programmers who work for him. I'm going to do it, but I would like to know what I should look for in the work environment.

I learn very quickly and I have taught myself a lot in two years. But so far I have just been in the shallow end of the VB pool.

What I want to avoid is starting a job without the resources I will need - I learn fast but I will still need to have the information available.

If you have been through a similar experience, and it turned out good or bad, please share.

Thanks for any advice!

[Edited by billwagnon on 06-26-2000 at 11:02 PM]

[Gen-X]

1. Get some existing code to look at if you need
2. Make sure MSDN is installed on the machine
3. TechNet would be helpful if you have it

4. Get a VB Programming book ("Advanced") if you feel you still want more


I have learnt probably 10-12 languages in my life and I found that as long as I had some code to see how people did things, a manual or reference guide (Or an online one like MSDN) and a book if all else failed then I was pretty much set.

People understand there is a learning curve... if you learn fast as you say then it will be evident to them you are picking it up quicker than other people and therefor they wont be upset about the downtime in learning....

[billwagnon]

Thanks, GenX. Anyone else?

[gfk]

Er.... make sure he pays you lots for not many hours work.

[Sheri]

I'm a newbie to the VB world myself but can tell you that even though it sounds corny, Sam's "Teach Yourself Visual Basic in 21 Days" has really been a lifesaver. I've written my first program and have a firm grasp on the basics.

A great way to build your knowledge is to practice your weak area's in VB, for example, if you are not too good in Data Management, you can try to build up on it. It's great to have at least some knowledge in every field. Even if it's very little.

[KGB]

Try to get hold of the Microsft Press books on VB development. There are two that is very good, one for Desktop Development and one for Distributed Development, they are aimed at the MCSD exams #70-175 and #70-176, which means that when you finished with them and maybe practiced your skills some more you can go and write the first two of the four required exams for your MCSD. Since you are a quick learner this should not be to hard. The Exams are tricky though. The MCSD is a good qualification that will really help you. The other two exams are #70-100 Analyzing Requirements and Defining Solution Architectures and then for the last one you'll have a choice between SQL,Interdev etc. which will also mean a lot for you in your work. So if you feel that you can fit it in I will strongly recomend it.

Have Fun!!

[Kyuss]

KGB

Disagree about getting those Microsoft Press Books. I used the Microsoft Press Exam 70-176 for self study and sat the Exam, well ended up failing cause the bloody book did'nt contain some topics that were on the exam.

[KGB]

The Microsoft Press books are good but they may not contain all detail for the exams. But so do all other books related to the exams. I have about four different sets and there are topics not included in some that are included in others. That is why you need to refine on your skills before attempting the exams. As staded by Gen-X the MSDN is also a good reference and is well worth looking at before attempting the exams. There is as far as I know not one book that covers all details/topics that will be required for the exams.