Cracking the Code: A Guide to Demystifying Tech Job Posting Jargon
Job descriptions and requirements in the tech industry often read like an inscrutable cipher to the uninitiated. They frequently contain a slew of buzzwords like "PKI", "transclusion", and "IaC" that may sound impressive yet remain opaque to many applicants.
This comprehensive guide aims to decode these cryptic technology terms to upgrade your lingo literacy. We will shed light on 10 salient concepts frequently featured in modern tech job postings so you can converse fluently and flaunt relevant skills during interviews. Let's unravel the riddles!
PKI refers to the framework enabling secure communications over public networks using digital certificates and encryption. PKI underpins website security (HTTPS), secure emails, document signing, and more.
Key PKI components:
Skills in cryptographic concepts, TLS/SSL, and certificate lifecycle management are valued. Employers want PKI expertise to securely authenticate users and devices, encrypt data, and ensure integrity.
2. CI/CD - Continuous Integration / Continuous Delivery
CI/CD combines continuous integration and continuous delivery practices to automate the building, testing, and deployment of applications. This enables rapid, reliable releases.
CI stages:
CD stages:
Expertise in CI/CD tools like Jenkins, CircleCI, TravisCI, and release orchestration tools like Spinnaker is attractive. Employers want CI/CD skills to ship code quickly and sustainably.
3. Transclusion
Transclusion allows content to be embedded dynamically from its original source into new contexts. Updates surface everywhere content is transcluded. Useful for integrating modular content at scale.
Common forms:
Skills in architectures like microfrontends, headless CMSs, and distributed data approaches are relevant for implementing transclusion capabilities. Employers want to adopt transclusion for reusing content, decoupling systems, and managing changes globally.
4. DepSys - Deployment System
DepSys tools provide consistent, automated application deployment capabilities, including release planning, environment provisioning, deployment, validation, and rollbacks.
Benefits of homegrown solutions:
- Configuration management - Infrastructure as code
- Environment management - Dev, test, stage, prod
- Artifact management - Build outputs, packages
- Deployment automation - Orchestration workflows
- Validation - Testing, monitoring, gates
- Rollbacks - Fix issues quickly
Skills in DepSys tools like Octopus Deploy, Harness, and DeployBot are prized by employers looking to standardize and scale application deployment.
5. DAG - Directed Acyclic Graph
A DAG represents a series of computational steps where edges denote step dependencies that must follow in sequence. Steps with satisfied incoming edges can run concurrently. Used to model workflows and parallelism.
Applications of DAGs:
Experience with distributed execution engines like Apache Airflow, modeling dependencies, and scheduling workflows is attractive. Employers want DAG skills to orchestrate complex systems and scale processes.
6. SDL - Security Development Lifecycle
The SDL incorporates security practices into the entire phases of the development lifecycle, from design to deployment. This minimizes the costs of addressing vulnerabilities later.
Typical SDL phases:
Expertise in tools like static code analyzers, fuzzers, and secret scanners is key. Employers want SDL know-how to release secure products in alignment with Zero Trust models.
7. NBIC - Nanotech, Biotech, Information tech, Cognitive tech
NBIC refers to the intersection of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science to enhance human performance. This includes artificial organs, brain-computer interfaces, exoskeletons, and pharmaceuticals.
Relevant skills:
Employers seek NBIC expertise to design augmentations and human-machine convergence driven by exponential technological growth.
8. Swimlanes
Swimlanes are visual elements used in diagrams like RACI charts and BPMN to distinguish responsibilities and workflows among different entities like individuals, teams, or systems.
Benefits:
Skills in diagramming conventions and tools like Visio, and Lucidchart are useful. Employers adopt swimlanes to streamline cross-functional cooperation for key initiatives.
9. Transducers
Transducers convert energy from one form to another. This enables building blocks to transfer power flexibly across electrical, mechanical, and electromagnetic domains as needed.
Applications:
Expertise in electrical/mechanical engineering principles and physics is key. Employers utilize transducers ubiquitously to drive automation and enable intelligent systems.
10. CQRS - Command Query Responsibility Segregation
CQRS separates read and write operations between two models - a Command model for writes and a Query model for reads. This isolates concerns for scaling and performance.
Benefits:
Skills in eventual consistency approaches are important. CQRS experience highlights your ability to design high-performance systems that scale.
Crack the Code and Launch Your Tech Career
This guide covered 10 key concepts frequently featured in modern tech job postings across engineering, infrastructure, data, and other domains. Understanding this terminology will help you discuss roles fluently, relate your experience, and think critically about systems. Leverage these concepts to propel your technology career today!
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