What is the point of professional qualifications?

[Old Hack]

Here's another issue; HR numpties trying to pretend that their job is a 'profession' and grabbing newfangled tricks to try and make themselves look like serious, objective professionals in the hope of impressing senior management (who are sometimes just as clueless).

Couldn't be more true unfortunately.

What Spelling Bee said is also true, moreso in when you get extensions.

What HR should be doing, is looking for the 3 month contracts on peoples CV's, as this is what alerts me if I am looking. You can quickly see from the CV and references if they have the skill, you have met them so can guage the personality, the fit, but the only thing which worries me is 3 month stints.

[nomadd]

My degree < fck all

Online applications > 5 pages = binned

If a CV + references doesn't cut it and a 20 minute tech interview I don't want to work for them.

Carry on

+1

Far, far too much time-wasting going on in the industry these days. I've cut several (telephone) interviews short in recent weeks when it was clear the interviewer hadn't read my c.v., couldn't be bothered doing so, and the role was non-existent or had already gone to a "far cheaper" resource.

[Lockhouse]

I've got no academic qualifications apart from a couple of O levels (no jokes please) and I work in front office IB. I've ever been asked about them in 25 years of contracting.

Technical qualifications are of more use as they get you through the buzzword filter at HR or agency level. The rest is up to you.

[The Spartan]

It's a game. Play it well and you'll win. Sometimes.

Sure is Mich, that's why I started using opensource test tools seems they're gaining in popularity lately and the plus side is no licences to pay for to use them or learn how to use them

[Mich the Tester]

I've got no academic qualifications apart from a couple of O levels (no jokes please) and I work in front office IB. I've ever been asked about them in 25 years of contracting.

Technical qualifications are of more use as they get you through the buzzword filter at HR or agency level. The rest is up to you.

Better than a degree in Media Studies.

[Mich the Tester]

Sure is Mich, that's why I started using opensource test tools seems they're gaining in popularity lately and the plus side is no licences to pay for to use them or learn how to use them

Yep, incredible that corporates piss money down the drain on stuff like Quality Centre or ALM or whatever it's called now, but that's why they demand experience with CrapTool version 6.7.1, and it has to be 6.7.1, 6.6.9 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!; they've spent wagonloads of money on a tool and now they need a fool to operate it otherwise some dickhead middle manager who should never have been hired anyway will get the sack. JIRA, Selenium, Behat and Firebug are all you really need and they're freeeeeee. Avoid firms who demand x years of experience with a crappy corporate tool; it'll be boring and of no benefit to your CV in the long run.

[The Spartan]

I also find it to limiting if you specialise in paid commercial tools you kind of get pigeon holed as a QC or MS Visual Studio guy not to mention the cost of courses and licences if you want to develop your skills on them

[stek]

I've just had one along with all the Tech skills they are also insisting on fluent English, French and Flemish. I'm from Bolton, I don't even have the first one.......

[speling bee]

I've just had one along with all the Tech skills they are also insisting on fluent English, French and Flemish. I'm from Bolton, I don't even have the first one.......

Bolton! I used to work at thospicle.

[stek]

Bolton! I used to work at thospicle.

Townleys? In Farnworth, or the old Infirmary in Town which was demolished and became a David Lloyd?