Something I just told a borkette

[ITWhore]

The borkette was asking for the standard impossible skill set (although I had some experience in one of the key ones, albeit not as much as the typically required 2 years) for a FTE in a small nearby city that I know does not have anyone with this skill set, and most probably not a place that anyone who would have that skill set would want to move to.  I mentioned that I would only be interested in contract, and that I didn't have the exact skills on the req.

She asked if I knew anyone that would be interested.  I suggested that she look at recruting an H1B .  I said that those people usually have very interesting skill sets, and probably someone could be found.

HEE HEE.  

[DG9]

She will have better luck there, as there is always someone with the "exact and verifiable  skill set" available at a better price.  Plus she has now has an American not able to fill the position (you).

I'm not sure what the gain is in pointing her to the H1B route?  Sounds a bit like like cutting off your nose to spite your face...

[DarkHumour]

I think the intent was that the H1-B would know everything "on paper" and have the mindset/culture of prefering to cut out their tongue before admitting they do not know something.  Eventually after they are hired is a smoldering data center, a borkery liable for this mess, and a pink slip for the borkette for "knowingly" providing such a lousy consultant. (This is true for any Bozo-tech, not just H1s I suppose).

Then there is another option that the H1B actually has all the skills. Performs the job well (or the client is ignorant of any skill deficit) and is so cheap that it encourages the borkery to bring over more.  Odds are that enough know what they are doing or have been skating by to not slow down this local citizen replacement program by very much.

Actually you could have told her the first story (spread FUD) before mentioning the option of an H1B.  Stress the convenience on how they will work with the recruiter (stifle sarcasm) by tailoring their resume on demand to fit the skill set desired by the client.   If they need an ant-farm engineer... voila... 4 years of experience.  

edit: spelling

[Jim in Chicago]

This is something I find insidious (sp?) about the I.T. culture.  The fact that everybody is afraid to ask for help or admit they don't know something.  Also, the fact that if you do admit you don't know something you are branded as a sub-standard consultant/employee.

After 10 plus years of doing this, there is one thing I know for sure, there is lots of stuff the experts and gurus don't know.

Not sure what can ever change this, the mindset of I.T. people is a real strange brew of ego, arrogance, and nerdiness, with a good splash of social ineptitude thrown in.

[The Original Dinosaur]

Quote:She asked if I knew anyone that would be interested.

Dino's stock response: Yes, I do know someone.  I'll give them your number and they will call you if interested.

IOW, I am not a source of "candidates" for the convenience of the Borque.

[codger]

Quote:Not sure what can ever change this, the mindset of I.T. people is a real strange brew of ego, arrogance, and nerdiness, with a good splash of social ineptitude thrown in.

Common IT traits indeed. I have worked in other areas of business (finance, accounting, auditing) and find that the typical practitioners were fairly normal. They have their share of head cases, but the head cases were identified as aberrant, and not lauded, as they often are in IT.

IT has long been the refuge of social cripples. I think it has gotten worse over time.

[I D Shukhov]

Some scientists don't bother to conceal their arrogance at all.  I've worked in shops where I was *not* a scientist and it's not a whole lot of fun.  It has taught me never to work in a professional practice, like a lawyer's office, though.

How about trying to talk to a doctor?  A recent book is out about how they make up their minds in a few seconds.

The list can go on and on. 

[The Gorn]

In IT, the arrogance is often applied to peers at the same level and creates a protective blanket of FUD. The superiority and attitude of entitlement is kind of a badge of honor.

In professional fields like law or medicine, the arrogance is applied to outsiders, typically clients, or those who are not participants in the process.

[I D Shukhov]

Remember all of Far Side cartoons about scientists?   It happens within their social groups too.

I know some people don't buy personality types, but INTJs tend to be a bit inflexible if they think they know something "for sure".

[David Cressey]

Quote:Dino's stock response: Yes, I do know someone. I'll give them your number and they will call you if interested.

IOW, I am not a source of "candidates" for the convenience of the Borque.

This is the way to go.

[David Cressey]

Things were very different 40 years ago.

Back then,  the first tier people were not afraid at all to admit to each other that there was something they didn't know.  Even the second tier people were pretty good at exposing their ignorance.

But then,  back then we were making history,  not just keeping up with it.