Re: What would you do?

[Martha Jordan <marthaannjordan -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Thanks Steve. That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification. I was kind of
thinking more on the lines of counting yourself as proficient in Adobe (a hefty
program) when you haven't even used it before. That sets everyone up for failure
and frustration. But, you're right: learning a unique skill in a program you
already use is an entirely different scenario. I've experienced those who claim
to know programs well but when asked how to complete a specific task, are
unable/unwilling to share their knowledge. Martha  





On Thu, Feb 9, 2017 6:42 PM, Janoff, Steven Steven -dot- Janoff -at- hologic -dot- com  wrote:
Hi Martha, 

  

If you're reading anything nefarious into my post, I assure you that's wrong. 

  

I'm not suggesting anything illegal, immoral, or unethical. 

  

What I'm suggesting is, in the context of what is possible, hard work,
dedication, and initiative. 

  

By the way, I meant to say that this sounds like an IT or quasi-IT position. 

  

If some of the requirements are skill in and knowledge of things like Visual
Studio, TFS, programming in C#, and developer skills, and the applicant is not a
programmer, then it's a no-go. 

  

An example of a manageable skill is something like, "Can generate pivot tables
in Excel." 

  

If it were me and I didn't have this skill, but given I've got intermediate
skill in Excel (I think -- and I'd do this even if I had passing skills in
Excel), I'd hit the books, CDs, Web, online videos, trial software, and learn
everything and anything I can about how to generate pivot tables in Excel, so
that when I walk in that door for the interview, I might not have 3 years'
experience doing pivot tables (and if that's the way the skill is listed then I
wouldn't do it), but I could generate a pivot table, and I'd be willing to prove
it, on the spot. And I don't mean just functional but substantive. Give me the
data, and I'll give you a pivot table. 

  

But as I said earlier, the whole thing depends on (a) the particular skills they
want (how difficult, how easy to acquire), (b) the level of expertise they want
in each skill, (c) how plum the job is, and (d) how badly you want the job. For
example, if it's an entrÃe into a career change, and you really want to move
into that career, then it'd be a consideration. 

  

But if the skills or experience requested is out of your reach and you just
can't back it up no matter what you do, then obviously you're not going to apply
for the job. 

  

I don't know if I can dig any deeper than that. 

  

Thanks, 

  

Steve 

  

  

On Wednesday, February 08, 2017 8:50 PM, Martha Jordan wrote: 

  

Steve! What are you possibly thinking?

  

  

On Wed, Feb 8, 2017 7:51 PM, Janoff, Steven Steven -dot- Janoff -at- hologic -dot- com wrote: 

I agree with everyone that it sounds unscrupulous on the face of it. 

  

Having said that, though, it really depends on how easy or difficult these
skills are to pick up. 

  

SharePoint administrator is not rocket science, and InfoPath I'm guessing you
could pick up in a few days with hitting the books and the Web and downloading
trial versions of Office if you don't already have it. 

  

So it depends on the particular half-dozen skills, the level of expertise they
want, how good the job is, and how badly you want it. 

  

It's conceivable that you could become passably skilled at using all of the
tools before you walk into the interview. 

  

But if they want 3 years of DITA and a component CMS, then that's a different
story. 

  

If the recruiter didn't address this kind of thing (shoring up your skills as
opposed to just telling you to add them to your resume), then that's
irresponsible and I'd run. 

  

Steve 

  

On Wednesday, February 08, 2017 11:12 AM, Keith Hood wrote: 

  

I have been corresponding with a recruiting firm about a possible job as a
SharePoint administrator, and they asked me to change my resume. The job
description includes some things that I have never worked with, such as
Infopath. The recruiter asked me to edit my resume to show experience with about
half a dozen things I've never done, to match things in the description, and
email him that new version. 

  

I won't say what I've done or not done - I'm interested in your thoughts about
it.
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