We recently came across the following in a job advert for a software developer:
- 4-8 Years in a highly reputable technology firm (i.e. Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc…)
- Candidates from start-ups are especially welcome.
- Can demonstrate extraordinary proficiency in either Java or C++.
- A PhD or MEng in Computer Science.
- Can exhibit a passion and enthusiasm for remarkable technology (i.e. blogs, awards etc..)
- You must be able to demonstrate you are highly competent in security. You must be comfortable that if given a piece of code, you can quickly and meticulously show areas of the code that are susceptible to exploitation.
- As an individual - it’s in your nature to question why things are the way they are.
Now this description could easily have come from a high-flying startup or major tech firm, what's suprising is that this ad was actually for a major investment bank (the advert doesn't identify the bank in question but from the description it seems likely that the firm in question is Goldman Sachs).
Historically banks have tended to focus on attracting developers from within the industry - the London financial sector employs tens of thousands of developers so there's no shortage of developers to go after. But in recent years more and more developers have left to found their own startups or been lured away by major tech companies like Google.
It looks like the banks have started to react and act to re-establish themself as the place for talented developers to work.
(the original advert or if you'd much rather work at a startup check out our listing of startup jobs)