Big Data Comes to Hiring

  • Comments posted to this topic are about the item Big Data Comes to Hiring

  • I have had a few contract opportunities come through what can be referred to as networking. Sometimes there are limits due to the global nature of my network (and presumably yours, fellow SSCer!!!) as I try and find local work.

    Gaz

    -- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

  • My resume is a patchwork of a broad spectrum of experience and training. I have a demonstrated history of being able to do a lot of things well, and to learn new skills quickly. However, most screening processes for jobs tend to only look for X number of years using Y technology, or holding Z position.

    I've always considered myself to be like a Swiss Army knife - full of lots of useful tools that will get you out of a jam. You can get a better knife/corkscrew/needle/bottle opener/etc. However, if you need one tool that can do more than one thing well, and your in the business jungle, wouldn't you want a versatile tool?

    Because of that, I have a hard time getting jobs that are challenging and satisfying. However, networking can help make up for that. When I use my network, I have someone actually saying, "Hey, this guy has skills, skills that don't show up in a format that your great file sifter in the sky is set up to recognize. You should interview/hire him." And that's why I don't send out a ton of resumes. That activity has hardly ever resulting in me getting a decent job.

    "I get by with a little help from my friends."

    [font="Verdana"]Please don't go. The drones need you. They look up to you.[/font]
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  • I thought the article (from the Atlantic) was both interesting and somewhat concerning. Companies like Gild are attempting to quantify how good a developer is based on social media. I imagine many of these information companies have better information on us than the NSA. Reminds me of Isaac Asimov's books about the Foundation.

  • Interesting article. I agree that networking is probably the best thing (it's never worked for me, but that's more likely because I'm not as good at it as I should be and also because I've been in my current position for a long time), but what I'd like to know is how do you network when you're looking for a position not in our local area?

    Rod

  • Doctor Who 2 (2/3/2014)


    Interesting article. I agree that networking is probably the best thing (it's never worked for me, but that's more likely because I'm not as good at it as I should be and also because I've been in my current position for a long time), but what I'd like to know is how do you network when you're looking for a position not in our local area?

    You're doing it now! 😉

    BTW - you are my favorite Dr. Who.

    [font="Verdana"]Please don't go. The drones need you. They look up to you.[/font]
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  • The Atlantic article is a fascinating piece on the introduction of "big data" analysis to the HR world, I was interested to read about the use of game apps "Dungeon Scrawl" and "Wasabi Waiter" as assessment tools ...

    .... "How long you hesitate before taking every action, the sequence of actions you take, how you solve problems—all of these factors and many mor are logged as you play, and then are used to analyze your creativity, your persistence, your capacity to learn quickly from mistakes, your ability to prioritize, and even your social intelligence and personality."

    While I have no empirical data to back up any conclusions, my experience of some years spent driving between work-sites with colleagues (and observing other drivers) led me to conclude that there is a potential link between driving styles, and how the driver approaches other aspects of their life and work. I'd be pretty confident that I could get a better idea of how a person will respond in a work situation after accompanying them across town in peak traffic. All of the above, plus how well they respond to unexpected situations, how closely they follow rules, courtesy, anger management, decision-making skills, attitude to deadlines (short term = redlights, long term = e.t.a.) ...and my biggest predictor, do they indicate their lane-changes and check before proceeding.

    I'd like to see an extension of the MIT/Sandy Pentland project to capture information about how people handle their daily commute.

    ... "Pentland has pioneered the use of specialized electronic “badges” that transmit data about employees’ interactions as they go about their days. The badges capture all sorts of information about formal and informal conversations: their length; the tone of voice and gestures of the people involved; how much those people talk, listen, and interrupt; the degree to which they demonstrate empathy and extroversion; and more."

    If it is not already a work in progress somewhere, it would seem to be a matter of time before we can combine the information from a set of "Google glasses", GPS/satnav, smartphone and car's on-board computer to come up with a personality profile.

    I had considered a more informal, low-tech solution - "I have to be at a meeting across town in an hour, but I still want to discuss your application ... would you be able to drive me and we can talk as we go?" - but could almost hear the lawyers rattling at the door. :ermm:

  • zerko (2/4/2014)


    ...

    While I have no empirical data to back up any conclusions, my experience of some years spent driving between work-sites with colleagues (and observing other drivers) led me to conclude that there is a potential link between driving styles, and how the driver approaches other aspects of their life and work. I'd be pretty confident that I could get a better idea of how a person will respond in a work situation after accompanying them across town in peak traffic. All of the above, plus how well they respond to unexpected situations, how closely they follow rules, courtesy, anger management, decision-making skills, attitude to deadlines (short term = redlights, long term = e.t.a.) ...and my biggest predictor, do they indicate their lane-changes and check before proceeding.

    ...

    My wife says that I am a changed person behind the wheel. I would agree. Ironically, how I approach domestic chores is probably more reflective of my working life i.e. how I deal with changes in priorities, organisation and prioritisation of tasks, work ethic, deferment, delegation etc.

    Having said that, I reckon that you are probably right in that for most people their driving style would reflect how they think.

    Gaz

    -- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

  • I almost solely rely on networking when changing jobs.

    When applying for my current jobs I few months back, I didn't even have an updated resume.

    It was quite an awkward moment in the interview though when they asked for my resume and I answered with: "Just check LinkedIn" 😀

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