Hiring For IT: What We’re Doing Wrong & How To Fix It

Favourite quote is from the introductory paragraph:

“The key issue is that HR cannot realistically be expected to hold all the technical knowledge necessary to appropriately evaluate and filter applicants based on technical criteria. Many resumes are thus evaluated off keywords alone, or ridiculous automated online exams that supposedly quantify a candidates [sic] abilities based off asinine declarative factoids.”

‘Nuff said.

Update [16 Feb]: So I’ve been having a little more success with the hunting, and so my feelings towards HR people and/or recruiters are a little more tempered. Having said that, I don’t think my improved success rate invalidates any of Preston’s comments. Unfortunately, with the job market being the way it is at present, I can’t see any major “reforms” coming anytime soon – it’s an employer’s market at present.

I do know that wherever I end up…if that appointment comes via a recruiter, I will [a] be referring them to this article to see what they think, and [b] will also be keeping the recruiter and/or recruitment company in mind for when I need to hire teams of IT staff. That may be 3-4 years away…but I remember stuff like that.