|
|
| GeoCommunity Mailing List |
| |
| Mailing List Archives |
| Subject: | RE: GISList: ArcView/ArcInfo competency test |
| Date: |
08/06/2002 01:53:55 PM |
| From: |
Anthony Quartararo |
|
|
I would tend to agree with Gwen. Performance tests have a rather
limited value in the GIS industry, probably most applicable to a data
conversion operation where a benchmark can be used as a measuring tool
for efficiency, application knowledge, competency, etc. However, this
is usually a highly focused job requirement and really only demonstrates
the fact that the person is highly knowledgeable about software commands
and which one to use when.
Understanding the how and why is as, if not more important than
understanding software commands. The "Print" command in MS Word 1.0
does the same thing as "Print" does in MS Word XP, you just get the
privilege of paying a whole lot more for it in the latter version. Same
is true with GIS software: "Dissolve" in ArcInfo 1.0 would do the same
as in ArcInfo 8.2, but there are now many, many more commands to run in
the newer version, that yes, you get to pay more for. This is an
unfortunate cycle, but the point is that the job interview and relevant
evaluation criteria really needs to fit in context with the job
requirements.
You would be hard-pressed to find many Fortune 1000 CEOs that could
actually use or demonstrate their own products, and so their "interview"
criteria is not based on "How would you do ......" (perhaps it should
be, but nevertheless, it's not). Likewise, if the job requirement is to
scan, clean, digitize and separate the layers in raster topo maps, then
asking the candidate about Thiessen polygons or complex analytic
concepts is both irrelevant and unfair to the candidate, because it may
disqualify that person from getting a job they are perfectly suited for.
Rather than giving a multiple choice quiz, if the candidate cannot
articulate or convince you that s/he knows what they are doing either
over the phone or in person in 15 minutes, then perhaps you should move
to the next candidate. Happy hunting.
Best Regards,
Anthony Quartararo
Spatial NetWorks, Inc.
ajq3@spatialnetworks.com
www.spatialnetworks.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Gwen [mailto:graecawolph@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2002 2:12 PM
To: Glenn Letham (GeoCommunity): GIS List (Geocomm)
Subject: Re: GISList: ArcView/ArcInfo competency test
I've recently gone through several interviews (GIS Tech/Analyst), so I
can give my opinion as an applicant...all of my interviews have been
with government agencies (county and federal), and all but one were over
the phone.
Employers mostly seem interested in whether or not you
know the theory and general concepts or tasks that can
be done with a GIS. If you know these things, and
your latest experience is recent (so you know the
newest software), then they trust you will quickly
learn or re-learn the commands and procedures with
specific software to perform the specific task that
they have in mind. Since a GIS can accomplish a task
in several different ways (especially true with
ArcInfo), this makes sense to me--to hire somebody who
knows theory/general concepts (and has some
experience)and is a quick learner. That way the
employer knows that you can learn to do any project
they throw at you without alot of supervision.
As for specific questions, most employers are still
using a set of 9-10 general questions, without any
tests. They want to know that you know what a GIS is,
and what it can do. The most specific question I was
asked was to tell them (specifically, command by
command) how I would identify areas most sensitive to
erosion given certain coverages.
And for my final opinion about an actual sit-down test
using the software: unless the companies/agencies are
going to start paying for applicants to fly out for
the interviews (as opposed to phone interviews), a
test that requires the applicant to be on location
will either narrow the list of applicants to those who
can afford it (as opposed to those who are skilled) or
make the process unfair to those who use the phone
interview option.
-gwen
--- "Glenn Letham (GeoCommunity)" <editor@geocomm.com>
wrote:
> This is a very interesting subject and something I
> have often thought of.
>
> Has anyone actually had to perform a hands-on test
> of their skills to get a
> job. I'm sure most of us have been aked if we have
> certain skills and then
> have backed up our response by producing a
> certificate from a course etc...
> but what about actually proving that the knowledge
> exists.
>
> For example, years ago I was a user of SPANS, PAMAP,
> and PCIs geoimaging
> products. For me to come in to a job interview and
> boast that I have skills
> with these products would likely be considered
> stretching the truth. sure I
> used them a number of years ago, however, if I was
> to site down at a
> terminal and have to go through
|
|
Sponsored by:
For information
regarding
advertising rates
Click Here!
|
