Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Is "with experience in" == "mandatory"

In my mind, when an employer says "Linux Admin resource with experience in Cloud / Docker / Kubernetes area" then Cloud / Docker and Kubernetes are required or mandatory skills in order to be considered for such a job. But apparently not for recruiters. Maybe it's just Indian recruiters or recruiters for whom English is not their native language. Personally, I don't see how one could make this error.
From: Anil Sing <anil.singh@q1tech.com> 
Hi,Hope you are doing well!!                           
We currently have an exciting opportunity with a great client; you’ll find details of the position below, even if you’re not a fit for this particular position, we welcome a current copy of your resume and look forward to working together on future positions 
Job Title: Linux AdminLocation: Phoenix, AZDuration: Long termNote:- Only GC,TN and USC only Description: 
Linux Admin resource with experience in Cloud / Docker / Kubernetes area 
Thanks & Regards,
Anil Singh
Technical Recruiter,
Email Id :- Anil.singh@q1tech.com
Contact No. :- 6305368202 Ext - 5522 
 So I responded with:
Do you think I have Cloud / Docker / Kubernetes experience?
To my surprise Anil responded with:
These skills are not mandatory ,  only linux administration was 
At this point I decided to respond with:
They specifically asked for EXPERIENCE with those technologies!
Look at it this way - let's say you have a rare heart condition. You find out that this is your surgen's first operation. But you requested somebody with experience not only with operating on hearts, but with experience with your specific rare heart condition. Do you let him operate? 
I thought this would adequately explain how, at least in English, when somebody is saying something like "with experience in X, Y and Z" that a native English speaker would take that to mean that X, Y, and Z are required skills to possess.  I thought my example was personal and should resonate with the recruiter, even a non-English speaking person. But I got the following back:
I got you but the thing is that one out of 3 skills will do the task . That’s why I was saying those are not mandatory.
Anyway Thanks for your concern and I do appreciate it.
And sorry it was my mistake.
I think you are AWS certified developer , Right ?
So I responded:
I got you but the thing is that one out of 3 skills will do the task . That’s why I was saying those are not mandatory.
That's not how it works. All three items were requested. Again, to my example - you have a person who is trained in the field of medicine. He has, one out of 3 skills. Do tell him, "No problem doc - open me up"? I think not.
Anyway Thanks for your concern and I do appreciate it.
I have no such concern that you think I have.
And sorry it was my mistake.
So then now you admit that you're wrong?
I think you are AWS certified developer , Right ?
No, I have an AWS Solutions Architect certificate. And as is stated plainly on my resume: 
Important Note: While I am AWS certified, I currently do not have actual on the job experience with AWS. Training for obtaining an AWS Certificate does require hands on with various AWS services as listed above in order to properly prepare for the test. I have been working in the computer field all my life and specialize in coming up to speed with new technologies very quickly and feel confident that I can learn any AWS services in use at your company in a short period of time. Please take this into account while evaluating my skills. Thanks. 
Of course being the consummate professional that you are you did read and understand that right?
Be very careful with recruiters as they know not what they are doing!