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Please see me in person

By Terri Morgan , Network World , 04/10/2008

First person account, special to Network World

"Well-qualified, capable, generalist with management, software development, Web programming, quality assurance, documentation, multiple languages and extensive China experience seeks interim or regular employment."

Problem is, no one wants me. I’m told I’m overqualified for this position or don’t have enough experience for that position or don’t have version 3.2.4.7 of Big Company’s software or ’I’m not a good fit or ’something. The excuses go on and on.

Pseudo-requirements are sliced and diced and assembled into lists of tasks that no one person could actually perform. It seems the real goal is to eliminate as many people as possible so recruiters don’t have to talk with all those pesky applicants, and then the company turns around and claims it can’t find anyone.

I was recently told by an IBM representative that "Your skills and experience are admirable, but they don’t matter.” She said the company uses a computer matching algorithm to search resumes for key words and proper formatting, then uses a random selection process to pick through the matched resumes. Translation: We ’’care more about formatting and keywords than people.


What to wear when the interviewer is a program?

Find out about the the ins and outs of recruitment software. 


KPMG takes a similar approach. I recently responded to a call for a senior project manager for the company’s China practice, preferably with language skills. With over 15 years in China, many business contacts, near-native fluency in Mandarin and 10-plus years project management, consulting, and business development experience, I thought I would be on the short list. I was wrong. My qualifications and skills did not matter. I was told I wasn’t wanted because I had not previously worked for a direct competitor.

Just recently I was told by a sympathetic recruiter (one of the good ones) that he thought I would be a good fit for a team developing requirements for a SAP implementation, but he wasn’t sure if the hiring manager would consider me because I didn’t have years of SAP experience. I reminded him I was experienced in gathering requirements, had worked with other ERP systems and that each installation is unique. I pointed out I learn quickly and can perform basic functions in any system within hours. He agreed I could probably do the job, but the hiring manager had an unrealistic expectation of the skills needed for the role.

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Comments (3)
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So called experienceBy Anonymous on April 16, 2008, 1:06 pmTell me about it. I can do all business analysis QA testing skills and be turned down because Idon't have experience in ver x of some software. For most people...

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AmenBy Anonymous on April 15, 2008, 12:13 pmIt is amazing how companies do not want to really make progress. They try to avoid hiring people that are really interested in moving the business forward in favor...

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Too much experience.By Anonymous on April 11, 2008, 1:56 pm"Conversely, I have been told I have too much experience (translation: we want someone younger *and cheaper*).

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