On Sat, 16 Dec 2006, Sue wrote: > Steve Holdoway wrote: > > Nick Rout <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> Christopher D Maher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi, My turn. The Jobs'R'Us type firms tend to be pattern matching firms. They take the list of skills required by the employer, and match that to the candidate. They have difficulty in matching the word "experience". Indeed, if you compare the list of candidates they supply, after placing an add with them, you will see a strong correlation between formal qualifications and ranking. In the 90's, American jobsRus firms sent all CV's through a OCR system and extracted key words. Those people who make it to the next stage matched the most number of key words - so yes, formal qualifications are important from this perspective. I expect this trend to be happening here, as we tend to follow the US. Many firms have taken on people who "said they had the experience" but who, in actual fact, didn't. Some formal qualification gives the employer some confidence the candidate does actually have the skill. A degree shows the candidate had the organisation/work ethic to overcome some obstacles and meet deadlines and targets. However, a bachelor's degree that took 10 years to get - I would say is a "bad look" A skills test in the interview is very common - it gives a clue as to the candidates real skill level and personality. The value of personality tests has been questioned. I have one colleague who says he knows the answers to put down in a personality test, and so can present to have any personality type. Derek. -- Derek Smithies Ph.D. IndraNet Technologies Ltd. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ph +64 3 365 6485 Web: http://www.indranet-technologies.com/
