I recently just came across the article The Web Fundamentals Gap (FCC even gets namechecked). It was very timely as I’d just had my first coding challenge as part of a job interview. The quote,
I have had some trouble hiring a front-end person, basically a WP, Foundation, CSS, JS person to fill a low-level production role in the company. I can’t figure out what the deal is, all applicants have no “base knowledge” of the above, they can produce react or other JS framework sites, or create through the WP template system, but if I said, I need some straight CSS changes, blank stares…. or some vanilla JS stuff, nothing.
… rang especially true.
The coding challenge I’d had was to take their boilerplate code and make specified modifications to it. The boilerplate was basically a todo app, but was complex hive of React and Redux, with over 100 components/containers. The hiring guy was kind enough to give me an evaluation. He listed some of the things I’d done well and some things where I’d lacked. As I read over the list, everything I’d done well had to do with React, Redux, and JavaScript. Given the complexity of the boilerplate, that was the part that I was most worried about, but he complimented me on my handling of the React, Redux, and Sass. The parts where I was lacking? Nearly every one of them had to do with basic CSS – usually doing things in too complicated of a way or in a way that wasn’t the best practice, in one case using JS to get around and easier CSS solution.
Thinking back to the challenge, CSS was where I struggled. Sure, the React and Redux scared the bejesus out of me – I’ve been learning React, but never done anything this complex and I’ve only been working on Redux for a few weeks. But it was the basics of CSS where I’d struggled the most.
Too often with CSS, I just keep trying things until I get the result I need. I’m gradually getting better, but often I don’t truly understand what is happening, not on the same level that I understand JS.
So I need to spend some time learning basic/intermediate CSS. It wouldn’t hurt to strengthen my vanilla JS while I’m at it too.
This is in no way a criticism of FCC. They have given me an incredible framework of knowledge. Now I just need to go back and fill in some of the gaps.