February 29, 2024
Who is James Kemp?
James Kemp, a prominent figure in the world of eCommerce and digital innovation, is a Product Lead at WooCommerce. With over a decade of experience in WordPress and WooCommerce, James has been instrumental in reshaping the eCommerce landscape. Hailing from the quaint Midlands of England, James has seamlessly blended his passion for technology with his love for creativity, finding the perfect backdrop for both living and creating in his local community.
James’ journey into the digital world began in 2009 at a UK web design agency, marking the beginning of his deep dive into WordPress. His expertise soon led him to seamlessly blend eCommerce with creativity, culminating in the development of a groundbreaking plugin that bridged Magento and WordPress. This milestone steered his path towards WooCommerce, where he created WooThumbs, a plugin that revolutionized product imagery in WooCommerce stores.
Always looking for the next adventure, James founded Iconic, a company dedicated to pioneering WooCommerce plugins that pushed the boundaries of what was possible within the eCommerce platform. The success of Iconic, including its acquisition and the subsequent launch of Orderable into the Iconic family, stands as proof of James’ unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence.
Currently, at Automattic, James is using his passion and expertise to make a significant impact on WooCommerce directly. His goal is not just to enhance the product but also to empower the countless businesses it supports. For James, it’s about crafting experiences that resonate with users and empower entrepreneurs worldwide, transcending mere plugins and platforms.
Beyond his professional endeavors, James is an avid gamer, photographer, and lover of the great outdoors. His passion for exploration and capturing moments comes to life through his photography shared on Unsplash, where landscapes and wildlife are vividly portrayed.
From piecing together intricate puzzles in games to crafting innovative solutions in eCommerce, James thrives on challenges and the joy of creation. His blog serves as a window into his world, where technology meets creativity, and each day presents an opportunity to innovate and inspire.
1. What key skills and qualities do successful WordPress professionals possess, and how can job seekers develop or demonstrate these traits?
James Kemp:
It depends on which area they want to apply for. There are numerous types of WordPress people; marketing, content, plugin developers, frontend developer, site builders, product managers, development leads, strategy, etc. My advice would be to choose a focus area and learn everything you can about it. When I was hiring for Iconic, it was highly appealing to have someone specialise in a specific area, but with an awareness and interest in the other areas. I.e. a developer who was familiar with design, including UX/UI, was a massive plus.
2. Can you share a personal or professional setback you faced in your WordPress career, and how you overcame it? What lessons did you learn from that experience?
James Kemp:
Back in 2013-2015, I was running a website agency with a friend, primarily focussed on WordPress websites. By the end of 2015, we were both massively burnt out and not enjoying it anymore. We made the decision to end the company and I put my focus into my plugins. These plugins ended up becoming IconicWP and were subsequently acquired in 2021. Stepping away from what I thought was the right path at the time allowed me to focus on the work I enjoyed, even if it meant struggling for a while during the initial stages.
3. What advice do you have for job seekers who feel discouraged or overwhelmed during their job search? How can they stay motivated and maintain a positive mindset?
James Kemp:
Do what you can to stand out among the other candidates. Make real connections with others throughout your career, as one day those connections may open new doors. Know that progressing in your career takes time and there’s no magic button which gets you to where you want to be instantly. Make yourself known to the community by providing value and genuine connections, and good things will come!
4. How can job seekers differentiate themselves in a competitive job market? Are there any unique approaches or strategies that you recommend?
James Kemp:
Pay attention to the details. It’s obvious when an application has been slightly modified to cater for multiple roles. It’s even more obvious when AI has been used!
5. What are the emerging trends or areas of growth in the WordPress industry, and how can job seekers align themselves with these opportunities?
James Kemp:
AI is an obvious trend, but it’s too early to say how that will settle in the future. Right now, everything is gearing towards the site editor and, subsequently JavaScript/React.
Thank you, James!
For more insights and updates, you can find James Kemp on Twitter, LinkedIn, and his blog.
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