CSS: Old Skill, New Demand

Everyone knows that Java and .Net are hot – nearly every article about IT mentions how desperately employers need candidates with those skills. But a not-so-new technology is pushing its way to the top of the “most-wanted” list as well. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), created in 1997, has finally come into its own. Employers now prize it as part of the developer “dream trifecta” of CSS, HTML and Java.

“You can’t be competitive online these days if you are weak in the CSS department. It is absolutely critical,” warns Donald DeSantis, partner at Seattle-area consulting firm LIFFFT. Otherwise, it “limits your ability to deliver these rich, aesthetically pleasing, well-designed Web experiences that now are a criterion to be competitive in the market.”

In simple terms, CSS is a file included along with a web page, that control the page’s appearance. Unlike old-school styles where elements like boldface or color were defined in line, CSS allows these elements to be managed from a centralized location. CSS offers both superior control of element styles and increased time savings when it comes to maintaining or editing elements. While the basics of both CSS and HTML are pretty easily grasped, it takes time and practice to master them.

Of course, anyone can claim to be a CSS expert, so expect an organization to check up on the knowledge you claim to have. According to Dice.com, here are 5 common interview questions about CSS that hiring managers are asking right now:

1. What is the difference between display, block, block-inline and inline? CSS operates on a box model, and a discussion of these differences will reveal how much you understand that model.
2. What is the priority order of CSS style definitions? CSS can be defined in a variety of places, so this question can reveal whether or not a candidate has a deeper knowledge of CSS and the best practices for using it.
3. How would you design a grid system with CSS? Savvy users would offer up using SASS or LESS, according to Desantis. This “shorthand stuff” shows both an understanding of the specific language as well as programming basics.
4. How do CSS and HTML work together? This question helps gauge an applicant’s web design experience, as experienced professionals know that CSS is used a layout framework for, and styling of, HTML elements.
5. How do you test CSS layouts? Jon Walker, director of New Media Services at Nashville-based web development firm AristoWorks, firmly believes in value of a solid testing strategy. “I will take a programmer that is a little less knowledgeable with futuristic tricks and techniques (but) has a solid testing regime that helps keep the angry customer emails and embarrassing issues at bay,” reveals Walker.

The IT staffing experts at Triumph Services can help you prepare for these or other tough interview questions. We’ve been helping IT professionals find the best technology job opportunities for more than 15 years, so talk to us today!