Semi-Annual Reminder to Learn and Hire for Web Standards

Alex Russell wrote a four-part series a couple weeks ago arguing that modern JavaScript-first framework-focused front-end development is costing the industry and users. Part of his conclusion for organizations:

Never, ever hire for JavaScript framework skills. Instead, interview and hire only for fundamentals like web standards, accessibility, modern CSS, semantic HTML, and Web Components. This is doubly important if your system uses a framework.

Reckoning: Part 4 — The Way Out, Alex Russell, 16 August 2024

Marco Rogers made a similar case a couple months earlier, also aimed at developers:

I believe if you stick closer to core web technologies, you’ll be better able to hire capable engineers in the future without them convincing you they can’t do work without rewriting millions of lines of code.And if you’re an engineer, you will be able to retain much higher market value over time if you dig into and understand core web technologies. I was here before react, and I’ll be here after it dies.

The Frontend Treadmill, Marco Rogers, 18 June 2024

Source: Semi-Annual Reminder to Learn and Hire for Web Standards — Adrian Roselli