Re: Testing job applicants

[hnlute@optcamel.com (Howard N. Lute)]

In article <37d7cf96.175975182@mindmeld.idcomm.com>, edick@hotmail.com 
says...
> On Tue, 7 Sep 1999 19:48:30 -0500, William Hamblen
> <bud@mycomputer.invalid.us> wrote:
> 
> >In alt.folklore.computers Steven R. Wheeler <swheeler@xpert.net> wrote:
> >: ... (or no degrees but a music/languages background) ...
> >Didn't IBM once upon a time actively recruit musicians as trainee
> >programmers?
> >
> ======================================================
> Yes, IBM did, back in the early '60's seek out people with
> personalitites and backgrounds imphasising their "imaginative" side
> with little or now emphasis on their formal education.  Things have
> changed, apparently.
> 
> Today's college student, in general, can barely read and comprehend a
> piece of prose which would have fallen well within the capabilities of
> a 14-year old back in the '60's.  What's more, today's graduate, again
> in general, has no notion whatsoever of sentence structure, as it was
> taught by sentence diagramming, etc, back in the '50's and early
> '60's, particularly as a tool for grammatical/syntactical analysis for
> the purpose of understanding a difficult sentence.  Today's graduate
> blames the writer for his inability to understand.  I blame the
> graduate, since he's unwilling to put in the time and effort to learn
> this most basic of tools.
> 
> When I engage the services of, or hire, an individual, I want to know
> how well he can do things.  This is measured by accomplishment.  How
> "smart" he/she is doesn't mean anything if what's lacking is
> application.  The most important criteria are (1) ability to
> understand what's required/specified to get a job ccompleted, and (2)
> the willingness to do whatever it takes to get it done.  
> 
> This means no whining about the tools, language, schedule, etc.  It
> just requires application of available resources.  
> 
> If a person writes badly, it's because he didn't read enough.  Correct
> grammar, syntax, and orthography are the mark of a person who's
> interested in getting the job done right.  Sloppy handwriting, poorly
> constructed sentences, "flow-of-consciousness" writing style, and
> frequent syntax errors (seldom detected by a spelling checker) are
> clear marks of an intellect lacking in the discipline to perform well
> at anything over the long haul. 
> 
> Imagination is a vital problem solving tool. It is necessary though
> not sufficient.  The ability to get a job done is learned slowly by
> repeated successful exercises, like getting the work in school done on
> time and to specifications, learning to listen carefully to
> instructions so the "right" job gets done, and working methodically to
> prepare a decent workpiece.  
> 
Jeez...you sure have EXPECTATIONS, don't you?!
I copied your diatribe...8-) and gave it to a teacher friend to read to 
his wood shop/drafting classes, you are RIGHT ON!
friend,
Lute

-- 
He:	Electronics Instructor, Terrible Mechanic, Worse Plumber!
She:	Patient		eBay Name: kell
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