market

[BolshieBastard]

Yeah, I remember that one.

You are quite possibly correct in the roles not existing. I just find it strange that any client would go out to market for a skill they lack, yet prefer someone who has the subject matter knowledge they already have in bundles. Yes, its nice to have, but surely the missing skill set comes first?

I agree. But consider this, say you were an SME with the knowledge and applied. The response you'd have got is 'the client is really looking for someone who has the skills where they have the gap'!

If the role doesnt exist, they'll use any excuse why you arent suitable. They (the agent) got your cv out of it too.

BTW, I've never seen so many permie jobs on jobswerve.

Cynical? Me? Nah!

[GB9]

I agree. But consider this, say you were an SME with the knowledge and applied. The response you'd have got is 'the client is really looking for someone who has the skills where they have the gap'!

If the role doesnt exist, they'll use any excuse why you arent suitable. They (the agent) got your cv out of it too.

BTW, I've never seen so many permie jobs on jobswerve.

Cynical? Me? Nah!

Now up against agents who clearly don't understand the spec they have been given. Think I hit 9 out of 10 criteria but got ditched on the one that was non-sensical! Still, at least he provided feedback.

[The Spartan]

Hahaha I find most specs are BS when you turn up at the interview they're generally keen to know how good you are at a handful of what was specified.

[BolshieBastard]

Hahaha I find most specs are BS when you turn up at the interview they're generally keen to know how good you are at a handful of what was specified.

This!

[SandyD]

Am finding the market really crap



btw: am a returning old member, but couldn't remember my old user name/password, Jacko tried to PM you to let you know, but don't have privileges yet.

[Wanderer]

Hahaha I find most specs are BS when you turn up at the interview they're generally keen to know how good you are at a handful of what was specified.

Yep. Even from the inside looking out, HR go and pile on 30 "essential skills" to go into the job ad. I think they are sometimes fishing to fill multiple positions with the one job ad but it causes confusion and pisses people off.

[GB9]

Question: Do I need good understanding of investment bank processes before I can model investment bank data?

[BolshieBastard]

Yep. Even from the inside looking out, HR go and pile on 30 "essential skills" to go into the job ad. I think they are sometimes fishing to fill multiple positions with the one job ad but it causes confusion and pisses people off.

Have you ever seen a contract spec for one large part publically owned UK bank? The following is supposedly for a contract position;

Senior Test Analyst

A Senior Test Analyst manages a team to deliver the business testing for a small project or workstream within a larger project. They are responsible for ensuring that the solution achieves the outcome defined by the project scope, requirements and business solution design.
A Senior Test Analyst has previous experience of change project delivery and will have been involved in multiple stages of the project lifecycle including business testing. They will be competent in the basic skills of project management and will have strong stakeholder management skills.
A Senior Test Analyst will have knowledge of banking and financial products and associated legislation and regulation.

Core Responsibilities

 Attends requirements and design workshops in order to understand the proposed business solution and the requirements it is intended to deliver
 Understands the overall project benefits and desired outcomes and how their area of responsibility contributes to these
 Produces or contributes to the overall test strategy and master test plan for the project and reviewer of all testing documentation.
 Supports the Test Manager in managing the testing process from project initiation to post implementation review and extended wellness
 Ensures there is a clearly defined testing approach for their area of responsibility and ensures that this is aligned to the overall test strategy and master test plan
 Understands different approaches to testing and the associated benefits and selects most appropriate.
 Ensures that their test team clearly understand their roles and responsibilities
 Translates process models, business requirements and IT documentation into UAT scope and overall test plans.
 Works with business representatives ensure that all test preparation deliverable are on track –e.g conditions and scripts and incorporates these into an overall milestone plan.
 Works with IT department to resolves issue around the technical solution delivered into the business test environment
 Coordinates and executes wellness checks post live and during the warranty period support alongside the project team.
 Understands their involvement in the cut-over approach and contributes to the go/ no-go decision making process
 Able to use an automated approach to testing (using test tools) when appropriate and engage the right supplier where one is not available in house
 Monitors progress against the test deliverables plan, identifies slippage and develops strategies to recover
 Monitors & Reports progress and status to the appropriate stakeholders (including the Test Manager and Project Manager) on a timely basis including the identification and escalation of key risks and issues and recommends appropriate test solutions
 Ensures that stakeholder sign-off is gained for all accountable test deliverables
 Works collaboratively with their IT and business counterparts to ensure successful delivery

Technical Competencies
 Experienced in the application of the xyz change management approach . Understands the project delivery lifecycle and testing life cycle and has detailed knowledge of associated deliverables
 Has detailed knowledge of at least one of the core Banking , Savings & Investments systems or collateral.
 ISEB ISTQB Foundation & Intermediate Certificate in Software Testing and working towards practitioner level.
 Able to use Quality Centre to produce management information on the progress of testing
 Knowledge of automated test tools such as QTP.
 Knowledge of MS-Project – able to produce a deliverables based plan
 Able to use the xyz Change Management Toolkit (CMT)
 Good presentation skills – able to present complex ideas in a simple way to a diverse range of stakeholders
 Takes responsibility for writing Test Strategy/Test plans and provides input to Environment strategies
 Reviews all testing documentation for required test phases

Behavioural Competencies
 Takes accountability for their own work and that of their team to ensure delivery against priorities .
 Allocates responsibility to their team members, sets clear goals and objectives and takes personal responsibility for the team performance
 Makes commitments and delivers against them – re-negotiating and managing expectations when appropriate
 Adapts their own personal style to suit the situation and the needs of their team and their stakeholders
 Facilitates and challenges others to develop their thinking and build upon their ideas and reviews suggestions in a positive and constructive manner
 Thinks laterally in order to identify solutions to problems
 Makes suggestions to influence and develop departmental direction and plans
 Exercises good judgement and makes responsible decisions; taking into account both facts and the feelings of others
 Seeks out coaching and mentoring to progress their own development
 Seeks out opportunities for assignments and learning interventions which progress their own skills and knowledge
 Identifies their particular areas of interest and looks to become a potential subject matter expert e.g. automated test tools
 Minimises impact on customers through effective/controlled testing
 Maintains agreed service levels, managing, defects, issues and risks
 Ensures levels of testing undertaken are appropriate to the size/complexity of the change
 Completes and passes all regulatory and mandatory training courses

[The Spartan]

Hahahahaha why do they care about the foundation cert if they're asking for the intermediate, biggest load of tulipe ever ISEB. I worked with people who have the Practitioner cert and have danced rings around them in my pink shirt of course.

I got exhausted reading that rubbish

[GB9]

Hahahahaha why do they care about the foundation cert if they're asking for the intermediate, biggest load of tulipe ever ISEB. I worked with people who have the Practitioner cert and have danced rings around them in my pink shirt of course.

I got exhausted reading that rubbish

ISEB is a joke amongst people I know. It is like a beginner's introductory course. Yet still I see ads stating its a 'must have'. All that says to me is that whoever has written the ad doesn't understand the subject matter.