Testing IT Professionals On Job Interviews? 1057
An anonymous reader writes "After having my university degrees, a couple of IT certifications, and over ten years of work experience in the industry, with 2-4 years of verifiable employment with each employer, working with a wide range of technologies, is it reasonable to ask me to take some test on a job interview? The same companies don't ask other professionals (lawyer, accountant, sales, HR, etc.) to submit to any kind of in-house tests when they are hired. Why are IT professionals treated differently and in such a paternalistic way? More importantly, why do IT professionals accept being treated less favorably than members of other professions? Should IT professionals start to refuse to be treated as not real professionals?"
Sheesh (Score:2, Funny)
ten years in the industry and you have to ask?
The why... (Score:5, Funny)
Because unlike Accountants, Lawyers, etc we actually have to work for a living...
If we're bad then stuff just doesn't get done. If an accountant is bad they still get $100k a year.
Doctors still have to prove themselves multiple times just to be able to get into the interview. Years and training and testing.
I like to think of us more like Doctors than professional bureaucrats.
Re:Careful there.. (Score:5, Funny)
As a consultant, I consider myself part of the world's oldest profession. After all:
I charge an extortionate rate
I'll be whatever you want me to be
I spend a lot of time in hotel rooms
I have a pimp that gives me a fraction of what I make and sends me to do things that I really don't want to do
Re:Blame it on the idiots who can sell themselves (Score:0, Funny)
Spelling should be tested too.
Re:Sheesh (Score:3, Funny)
Re:The underlying assumption is not true (Score:1, Funny)
I myself did Job interviews with certified whatevers, who applied for a sysadmin position and couldn't tell me what information a notation like "192.168.38.1/24" provides.
I have no idea either, perhaps you mean "192.168.38.0/24"?
Re:No, it is not reasonable. (Score:5, Funny)
What is the difference between an Apple and a Pear?! You have Ten seconds to answer! Go!
Re:Good Testing == Getting Paid. (Score:4, Funny)
Thank you, NEXT!
You'd rather your company didn't test them...? (Score:5, Funny)
How 'bout we start employing people based on what they claim, not what they can do? Sounds good to me.
Re:No, it is not reasonable. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:No, it is not reasonable. (Score:4, Funny)
"However, I'm sure I'd fail on any Java test or C test."
I thought that, too, but now I'm convinced you'd do okay. I took a test recently for Java (the company insisted, even though Java wasn't on my resume at all, and I relented), and I scored "Master - Can mentor others" even though I've never done anything serious in Java (maybe played around with it a few years ago). For someone who knows C-family languages, the tests are cake. I guess they're only intended to weed out those who truly know nothing at all.
Re:No, it is not reasonable. (Score:4, Funny)
Even worse, he didn't even see if his code would compile (preview) before checking in (submitting) his work. Tisk tisk tisk.
Re:No, it is not reasonable. (Score:5, Funny)
So you're saying she'll be an average lawyer?
Re:If doctors were that bad, it would be manslaugh (Score:4, Funny)
Re:If doctors were that bad, it would be manslaugh (Score:3, Funny)
I would much rather take my PC to a IT guy who cheated, then be represented by the lawyer/Accountant, etc that cheated.
Why? Law and Accounting are probably the two professions where you most want a cheater on your side.
As far as lawyers go, they're kind of hard to avoid ...
I kid, I kid. I know that it's only 99% of the lawyers make the other 1% look bad.
Re:I sufffer test anxienty. (Score:3, Funny)
Two beers and you're drunk?
Re:If doctors were that bad, it would be manslaugh (Score:4, Funny)
Re:If doctors were that bad, it would be manslaugh (Score:1, Funny)
I used to get it, but now what I get isn't it and what's it is weird and scary to me.
Re:No, it is not reasonable. (Score:3, Funny)
So right! The COJ test is so entry level. Hell, my 8 yr old daughter could be a Certified Oracle Joiner.
Anyone worth their salt knows that being certified for Oracle Decodes is where the true talent lies.
Re:No, it is not reasonable. (Score:4, Funny)
Correct. And any test that doesn't accept pseudocode is retarded.
Re:No, it is not reasonable. (Score:3, Funny)
So wait, you are saying that MCSE and CCNE certifications have no merit? The test facilities are run independently by a recognized organization. Why did we spend all that time and money and study so hard? Have you ever taken one of the test?
I hope you're kidding. Firstly, a CCNA qualifies you to be a tape switcher, a CCNP combined with atleast 4+ years of experience qualifies you to administer a network segment and if you're presenting a CCIE certificate number to me you'd best have 10+ years worth of relevant experience.
(Note that little qualifier word stuck in there; "experience".)
As for an MCSE certs they're not even good as toilet paper due to the rough edges.
You haven't lived until you've spoken to a MCSE cert holder who informs you that they'd like a $100k/year salary to start. Experience? Why yes, I have my MCSE!
Forehead, meet keyboard.
Re:No, it is not reasonable. (Score:3, Funny)
Sorry, we're a lincoln logs shop.
Re:No, it is not reasonable. (Score:2, Funny)
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