Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

I encounter this situation often when reading the Help Wanted ads (the kind we have today online). The job description and requirements are far too specific.

I have experience being unemployed and trying to find a new job. I don’t like the experience, but I learn a few things now and then.

One learned item is to note when someone is trying to hire someone who already works there or here. Under Job Requirements, they list a dozen specific tools in combination. If you don’t know every one of those tools in that specific combination, you are unqualified for the job.

If you do know every one of those tools in that specific combination, you are already working in the job. The specific combination of every one of those tools is unique to the job. Only those already working the job has that.

I’m going around in circles trying to describe this. I have gone around in circles trying to dissuade those who write such job descriptions. They want someone to walk in, sit down, and perform the job instantly. Sorry, only someone who is already performing the job can do so.

This is yet another example of being too specific. I like precise, concrete, and specific. There are situations, however, where this just doesn’t work. Sigh. We can do better.