I am not currently hiring. But when I am, I look for the following, in order:
1. Intelligence. This should be obvious. Smart people, even if they are not currently competent in a given technology, business domain, or platform, are capable of becoming competent in it.
2. Interest in the job. I want people in my employ to enjoy what they do, and derive personal satisfaction from it. I don't abide clock-punchers who got a CS degree solely because there's good money in it.
3. Good work ethic. This is almost always unnecessary if #2 is met, but sometimes you will encounter candidates who love writing software, yet for some reason they choose to browse the web all day instead.
Right before I left my last job they were looking for interns, and I interviewed a few of them. I was absolutely looking for all 3 of those qualities, not any particular skills. If you had existing skills that was a bonus, but we were primarily looking to train people to do the job considering it was an intern position targeting college sophomores.
1. Intelligence. This should be obvious. Smart people, even if they are not currently competent in a given technology, business domain, or platform, are capable of becoming competent in it.
2. Interest in the job. I want people in my employ to enjoy what they do, and derive personal satisfaction from it. I don't abide clock-punchers who got a CS degree solely because there's good money in it.
3. Good work ethic. This is almost always unnecessary if #2 is met, but sometimes you will encounter candidates who love writing software, yet for some reason they choose to browse the web all day instead.