Skills

Skill	Years
Web Development	10+

Application Development	7

C#	5+

ASP.Net	5+

SQL/MS-SQL Server/Stored Procedures	7

Java	2

VB/COM	1

ASP	8

Xml	5

Javascript	10

HTML	10

UML	2

Crystal Reports/Report Writing	2

Agile Methodologies - Feature Lists, small project iterations and Test Driven Development	5+

Waterfall Methodologies - Use Cases and non-iterative development	4

User Interaction Design	7

Working directly with stakeholders/clients/customers	7+

Deployment Management/Mentoring	3

Nant, Continuous Builds and Build Machines	2

Bug Tracking software and processes	7+

Teaching/Training/Mentoring junior staff	5

Photoshop/Illustrator/DreamWeaver	12

Graphic Design	12

What's special about me?

Below is a list my skills that distinguish me from other developers.

Small business experience

Running my own small web shop (David R Collett Enterprises) has allowed me to develop skills that other developers may not possess. These include managing finances and basic accounting, cost control, marketing and business strategy. My work has also enabled me to develop my skills in understanding client needs and creating personalised solutions for them, while remaining focused on the bottom line at all times.

Front end and back end skills

Having begun my web development career as a front-end developer and having progressed in to developing the back-end means that I can provide solutions in two different spheres in web development. It means I can generate a website from scratch (such as this one). I can talk to clients and gather requirements, create prototypes and the web/user interface, code up the HTML and javascript, design and cut the code, nUnits, interfaces and database schemas. Also, having worked for several rotations as a deployment manager at seek.com, I can also deploy the system.

Philosophy degree and IT degree

I have both a tertiary degree in IT and a tertiary degree in Philosophy. The IT degree (for which I got straight HDs) builds on my existing talents in IT. The Philosophy degree with its focus on logic, communication, discussion and understanding other's point of view allows me to see further and understand more than a person with only an IT background

Ability to learn and grow

Since high school, I have continued exploring new ideas and learning new skills. I have used a variety of resources, from courses, to books, to on the job, all of which have aided my growth. Furthermore, I can continue to use any of these methods to develop the new skills needed to provide business solutions. My ability to mentor and teach others also allows me to pass on my knowledge and expertise to others.

Highly adaptable to quickly changing conditions

Since 1997, I have worked for two different companies which have both achieved very fast growth. Both Advertising Energy and seek.com were listed either at or near the top of the BRW fastest growing companies. My ability to adapt to quickly changing conditions, my ability to learn new skills and create new processes, has allowed me to thrive in these constantly changing conditions.

Understanding existing processes and developing new processes where none exist

Working with start ups and quickly growing companies, and in my own enterprise, has demanded that I create my own or build on existing processes as the immature nature of the business meant that few existed. As well as building processes informally, I have held process building roles such as Deployment Manager and Snr Interaction Designer at seek.com.

Internally motivated to achieve

I enjoy learning and programming and growing and working with others and exploring new things. Some examples of interests I have followed outside work include practising yoga, starting a running group at seek.com and working with friends on their personal projects. Because my desire to explore comes from within, I am easier to manage and work with than a person who requires external motivations to perform.

A combination of creative skills and analytic skills

I have both creative skills, such as writing and graphic design, and analytic skills, such as computer programming and logic. This combination of skills allows me to see problems from several perspectives at once, allowing me to "think outside the box" and create innovative ideas.

Personal Achievements

Below is a list of personal achievements that I am especially proud of.

I was awarded the APESMA Connect Partnership 2008 professional development scholarship - 2008

I received straight HDs for all my subjects in my IT degree - 2005

I received first class honours in my philosophy degree - the highest possible mark for the honours year - 1995

I received highest achievable performance rating in my performance appraisals 2 years running at seek.com - 2003, 2004

I was awarded a $1000 bonus for leading the Interaction Design Team on the Classifications project at seek.com - 2004

I won "Best and Fairest" IT person in the company - the seek.com equivalent to IT employee of the quarter - 2003

I won $1000 in the Springvale Short Story contest - 1992