Getting ahead...

What is the best training for becoming a hirable coldfusion developer? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective coldfusion developer?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

Strong skills in Java, Javascript, CSS, and SQL would be a good start. XML and AJAX wouldn't hurt either. As CF developer, know how to use web services and create CFC's. Knowing frameworks like Model Glue and Fusebox is pretty useful.

Knowing Java is really beneficial since you can call Java objects and methods in CF to extend the capabilities of CF. Many of the CF based software packages use Java. Definitely a good skill set to have.

While certification may look nice, I don't think they hold the same power as they used to. In the past decade, there were so many people who were paper [insert certification of choice] that they really became someonewhat useless. What is important is you knowedge and skill with CF and the ability to demonstrate it. This doesn't mean that certs are bad. One of these days I do plan on getting off my behind and earning my Advanced CF Developer cert ;-).

does anyone have a skills matrix for Coldfusion developers 3 through 5 (whats the criteria for each) what's the best way to tell if a candidate is a level 3 vs a level 4 or 5?