Companies asking too much these days?

fret_wimp2

5 years ago when i started working it seemed companies were willing to hire you based on your willingness to learn, as long as you had some experience in a field.

Eg - if you were a java dev with very limited .NET experience they would identify if you wanted to learn via the interview process and hire you with the intention that you would take a few months to ramp up.

Now days i see job spec's asking for a heap of technologies, huge number of years of experience, expecting you to hit the ground running and be independent in a week.

Do you think this is fair? Most people gain a particular skillset in a company and on moving to a new company will need to learn new skills. Also its a highly stressful event, to move jobs and some settling in time is required IMO.

Are companies now pigeonholing potential employees nowdays by asking for too many areas of experience and not allowing for people with potential to learn and grow into a role?

tenchi-fan

You should look at job specs as a wish list.

Trainees and graduates are taken on for their potential, often at terrible wages. The race is then on to specialise somehow to be attractive enough to potential employers - usually by obtaining experience but also by doing additional courses.

There are so many jobseekers and so few vacancies employers don't have to take on people lacking in experience.

fret_wimp2

IMO they are ruling out a huge number of excellent potential employees by excluding people who have 80% of the required qualifications and display initiave to learn the rest.

These people are highly motivated, as they have lots to gain, and potentially bring skills to the role that may not be on the spec, but turn out to be very valuable.

I guess its just the market we live in nowdays.

tenchi-fan

They're not necessarily ruling anyone out though.. you're still free to apply. If they like your cv they might give you a call. They might decide you're not the ideal candidate, but seeing as you have potential they will give you a lower starting salary.

I'm in Toronto and the agency I am with are putting me forward for a job where the spec is "ACCA/ACA qualified, management accounting experience, preferably some one Irish" (i know, right?!)

Except I have zero management accounting experience. Hopefully they will see "potential" and give me a chance.

fret_wimp2

tenchi-fan wrote: »

They're not necessarily ruling anyone out though.. you're still free to apply. If they like your cv they might give you a call. They might decide you're not the ideal candidate, but seeing as you have potential they will give you a lower starting salary.

Very good point.

mw3guc

It depends a lot on the position advertised, who is doing the shortlisting and how many have applied. I have seen examples of a 'jobsworth' approach to hiring where a tick box system is used to choose a final number for interview. If Qual A, for example, is a required specification and you don't have A but have all the rest of the alphabet from B to Z, your application hits the rejected pile long before anyone with any creative approach ever sees the pool

carbsy

I agree.It's very much a who you know ahead of what you know time in Ireland at present imho.Sad but true.

tenchi-fan

carbsy wrote: »

I agree.It's very much a who you know ahead of what you know time in Ireland at present imho.Sad but true.

:rolleyes:

Who are you agreeing with? No one said that!

The op said it's all about *what* you know.

As for "who you know". I got a call centre job by referral from a guy who also referred another person and got a €500 bonus each time. I also referred a friend and got €500. And I was promoted internally, too. It's called networking, and it happens all around the world.
I'm talking about private sector employment by the way.. as opposed to the health board.

carbsy

tenchi-fan wrote: »

:rolleyes:

Who are you agreeing with? No one said that!

The op said it's all about *what* you know.

As for "who you know". I got a call centre job by referral from a guy who also referred another person and got a €500 bonus each time. I also referred a friend and got €500. And I was promoted internally, too. It's called networking, and it happens all around the world.
I'm talking about private sector employment by the way.. as opposed to the health board.

Sorry.. I was agreeing with the previous poster, mw3guc.Then I added the bit about 'networking', as you put it.

Mr. Loverman

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

Do you think this is fair?

Yes it is fair, it is up to you to make sure you have the right skills.

Tougher job markets means tougher requirements!

Btw I've noticed a lot of employers are chancing their arm with their skills requirements. Just tailor your cover letter and CV so it's looks like you're up to it and hope for the best in the interview!

mood

There are so many unemployed and applying for job employers can hire someone on a junior salary with senior experience etc. They can afford to be fussy. This will change again when the economy improves.

Smoggy

I have no experience of this, but I hear the IT market is still fairly bouyant, maybe employers are chancing thier arm hoping they can drive down salaries when you dont meet all thier unrealistic requirements.

bryaner

I got offered a job driving 1000 miles a week in my own car for €280 a week recently (€200 for petrol) I turned it down as I am hoping to start my own small business from home soon.

I must say I felt really bad for turning a job down and only did cause I have my plan nearly in action, but €280 net for 40 hours is a bit mental anyone agree with me?

daenerysstormborn3

I actually find that employers are choosing a qualification over experience. I have had many interviewers comment on my lack of qualifications eventhough I have 6 years experience in my chosen field. The two interviewers that actually got back to me after an interview (very rare occurence) said they thought I had too much experience, eventhough they also said they were disappointed I had no qualifications. At my age, I'm only 23, it's fairly unrealistic to expect someone to have 6 years experience as well as the equivalent qualification which incidentally would take 2-3 years to get.

irishguy

As said above job ads are wish lists. I have interviewed people who only had a couple of things on the ad and we still hired them, it depends on companies and the person. You really need to stand out from the crowd if you dont have the experience contributing to opensource projects in the field your looking to work in looks really good also certification.

MysticalRain

I've noticed that trend as well. I've also noticed that there are not as many people bothering with a career in IT as there used to be.

RoisinDove

Yes, I agree. Some of the ads I see are just ludicrous. There is no point trying to BS, as you will not get called to interview. I think they do just strike you off the list for not meeting the requirements without even reading your cover letter and seeing that you have potential. I see so many ads asking for the sun, moon and stars and then offering to pay 15K a year, in London. I'm sick of older people (30's and above) giving me advice, as well. They have no idea. The jobs just aren't there anymore. You can be the most enthusiastic and charismatic person in the world, but if there are 3000 applicants, they will cut you for not being the perfect candidate.