4 Oct
2011
4 Oct
'11
4:21 a.m.
All,
On 4 October 2011 15:37, Dave Caroline <dave.thearchivist at gmail.com> wrote:
On Tue, Oct 4, 2011 at 8:12 AM, Simon Fryer <fryers
at gmail.com> wrote:
Given that the job isn't for a MS Exchange / helpdesk role, I would
interpret that requirement as, "you are expected to be able to use
email, and we use outlook." Personally, I would pay token note to this
but wouldn't read too much into this requirement. If I was addressing
the requirement, while being a happy gmail / eudora / insert graphical
mail application of choice user, I would refer to the fact that I
regularly use email clients and expand on it some more to give the
impression you have used outlook, but stop short of actually saying
that you have, and certainly don't say that you haven't.
I find most jobs have some core requirements that you must know in
order to carry out the work. There are quite a few others where you
will have done something similar and will pick up the specifics fast
enough... And there will often be training etc on the side. Being able
to read through the advertisement, work out what the job will involve
and what the key skills are is important.
Generally the list is for some mythical person that does not exist. If
you can do all of it, you are probably not going to find the job
challenging and be on your way in a matter of months. The trick is to
tick off the key ones that they are looking for.
I have a horrible feeling I am going to regret
adding my 2c to this argument.
On 4 October 2011 14:40, Dave Caroline <dave.thearchivist at gmail.com> wrote:
It is a trivial requirement but cuts me out from applying at all, it
trumps skills I do have. You really think not using outlook makes me fit
the asshole category!
No. But getting up tight/argumentative over a trivial piece of the job
description would certainly make you a candidate.
Like I said it would be a dream job but being in the
wrong country for
me I cannot apply.
I am in Australia so I don't qualify either.
Aside, when reviewing or writing job specifications I have never
bothered to list MS Office or a specific email client. I take it for
granted that everyone knows MS Office and can pick up an email client
quickly enough. And before anyone commits fingers to keyboards over MS
Office, I hate it too and would much rather use LaTeX. However, in my
15 years of working history through a number of different jobs and
fields, all my company supplied PC's have had Office installed and the
expectation is that any documentation will be produced in Word.
As for software packages in general, I find it is more useful to
concentrate on underlying skills that can be applied rather than an
ability to use a software package without the underlying knowledge.
Simon
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Well, an engineer is not concerned with the truth; that is left to
philosophers and theologians: the prime concern of an engineer is
the utility of the final product."
Lectures on the Electrical Properties of Materials, L.Solymar, D.Walsh