Mon 23 Mar 2009
I’ve been interviewing technical people for an open support engineer position these last few weeks. As a consequence, I’ve scanned through at least a hundred resumes, searching for good candidates. Today I found these two lines on a resume and I thought I’d include them below for your benefit:
(under Expertise/Certifications)
- Programming Languages: BASIC (similar to C++), PERL, C++, ObjectRexx
- Database web programming (WEBWIZARD)
Thoughts?
ObjectRexx and WEBWIZARD? What the…
Oh, and in case you didn’t know, BASIC is “similar” to C++…
BASIC is totally similar to C++. They both have goto statements. What else do you need?
I’d have him code you up a web framework in BASIC and WEBWIZARD. If he can do that in an hour…
Well, BASIC also has the CONT command … That’s all you need to resume.
As far as BASIC belonging on a résumé … No, on a résumé you only include relevant experience and education. From the sound of it, who cares whether he knows BASIC? It is not going to be relevant to the position for which he is applying.
On a Curriculum Vitae you would, on the other hand, include not only BASIC, but also any pottery experience you might have.
Now, if I should critique his choice of words …
“Programming Languages: BASIC (similar to C++), PERL, C++, ObjectRexx”
First of all, Perl is a proper noun, not an abbreviation or acronym. One could also argue whether it is truly a “programming” language, and not simply a scripting language. The same consideration should be applied to the other languages as well.
“Database web programming (WEBWIZARD)”
Come again? That is the stupidest description I have heard. HTML is not programming. And, it does not immediately imply any database connectivity.
Meh … I am unimpressed and would not bring the guy/gal in for an interview.