The other day I joined one of these online job services, I don’t want to publicly trash talk any one but this companies initials are CareerBuilder.com. You simply send them a resume` and they use their vast database of open positions and their "patent-pending recommendation engine" to match your qualifications with an appropriate job.
Let me give you some background here, I have worked in the trade show/exhibit industry for the past 20 years and before that I had a construction/mechanical background. My talents are cabinet making, machining and fabricating along with installation and supervision.
OK, I was pretty stoked about this job service, it’s a great idea, but as I will explain, it seems the actual application of the concept to the real world leaves a bit to be desired. After joining the service I immediately received an email from them with a list of ‘matching’ job openings, I’m thinking WOW! This is awesome, I open the email and the first job listed…the best possible match is… ‘Mammogram Technician’ WTF?!?! Ok, being a heterosexual male, I like boobs, and having worked in a shop for my whole life, I know how to operate a vise AND, I own a digital camera, but matching my qualifications to this job is a stretch no matter how you look at it, not to mention I think I’d have a hard time explaining to my wife my sudden interest in other women’s breasts!! Alright, I’ll chalk that up to a computer glitch, next match… the second most likely position I qualify for? ‘Medical Administrative Assistant’ hmmm, I’m beginning to see a pattern develop. OK, my Mom was a nurse, I have a sister who IS a Medical Administative Assistant and having ridden motorcycles since I was 7, I have had more than my share of injuries, including 20 broken bones….some of which I’ve even set myself. However, I didn’t mention any of these things in my resume and am a little freaked out that they could somehow make the connection that I am a good match for a job in the medical field. Third on the list, let me guess…Obstetrician?? Nope, Deputy Sheriff...uh-huh, I have had quite a bit of experience in roadside negotiations with deputy sheriffs, state troopers and the local constabulary. To this day when I see a police car on the road my heart skips a beat and I do a mental inventory of all the things I might possibly get pulled over for, speeding, inspection sticker, lights not working, loud pipes, pony-tail sticking out from my helmet, I've been pretty legal as of late but old habits do die hard. How any of this could make me a good candidate for a position in law enforcement baffles me. On to number four on my list of jobs created by CareerBuilder.com’s ‘patent-pending recommendation engine’‘Pharmacy Technician’ - ummm....we’ll just leave that one alone.
Thanks CareerBuilder, for wasting my time. What, you may ask, do any of these jobs have to do with me? After investigating a bit I discovered that the only thing that would remotely associate my resume with these jobs is location, they are all within 50 miles of my house…is that how your “patent-pending recommendation engine” works? You might want to fine tune it a bit more before you go any further with the patent, those things can be pretty pricey.
The Path We Have Chosen (Updated)
12 years ago
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