Re. Certification anecdote

[Geoff Hart <geoff-h -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA>]

 This thread reminded me that if we had required
 certification ten years ago, I'd never have gotten my first
 job and probably wouldn't be writing this right now.

 I applied for a writing job at IBM way back when, and after
 the requisite delay, got a generic "don't call us, we'll
 call you" form letter. At the very instant (really!) I was
 filing this away in my desk, the phone rang. A manager from
 IBM was on the phone, and politely said something to the
 effect of "your resume crossed my desk this morning, and
 quite frankly, I can't imagine why you ever thought you
 could work at IBM... you're completely unqualified, and
 this piqued my curiosity".

 Not being one to let such a comment pass unchallenged, I
 spent five minutes explaining why I felt that my training
 qualified me for the job. I had an interview an hour later
 (barely time enough to iron a shirt, hop on the subway and
 get to his door), and I had a job before I went home that
 afternoon. A few morals:

 1. Yes, the truth is occasionally stranger than fiction.
 2. Learn to write a good cover letter that explains why
 someone would want to read your resume (something I hadn't
 learned at that time).
 3. Don't rely on "qualifications", including certification;
 you'll get some bozos that way, and you'll also rule out
 good candidates.
 4. Even if you look like me (see sig!), you can still get a
 job with IBM.

 --Geoff Hart    @8^{)}
 geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca

 Disclaimer: If I didn't commit it in print in one of our
 reports, it don't represent FERIC's opinion.