TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Re: Last Laugh! Telecom New Zealand Tells Woman Her Name is Gay

Re: Last Laugh! Telecom New Zealand Tells Woman Her Name is Gay

hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com
2 May 2007 13:49:00 -0700

On May 2, 10:06 am, mc <l...@www.ai.uga.edu.for.address> wrote:

> What this *really* is, is inept linguistics. Some people don't seem
> to have the ability to look at their native language and ask
> themselves whether a word has more than one use. When people with
> tiny vocabularies start implementing "bad language filters," a lot of
> good language gets filtered out.

Very true.

Years ago, before computers were used to review resumes, they had
clerks do it. The clerks, not knowing anything about technical
positions, would simply scan the resume for certain buzzwords. You
had to have the buzzword exactly right to be called in for an
interview, a slight variation caused a rejection. I applied for a job
I was well qualified for but rejected. I called the company and
discussed it and learned that's what they did. I got an interview.

The flip side of this was that I was invited in for interviews for
jobs I was not at all qualified, again because I included a desired
buzzword. I said "limited experience in XYZ" and the clerk flagged
the XYZ, ignoring the fact they were actually seeking an expert level,
not junior level. That was an annoying waste of time. I leanred to
ask some questions first before making an appointment for an
interview, although some personnel people were very offended by that*.

A famous (infamous?) example of automatic filtering screwup was a
small mostly female college known as Beaver College. When computers
became widely used, they found their applications way down because
filters rejected the name. Also, apparently more kids knew of the
shady meaning. The school finally changed its long standing name and
applications shot up.

*I found some personnel people welcomed a few reasonable questions,
they considered that a plus. But others took an attitude that they
were doing a favor to you by having you there and you better be quiet
and do what you're told, and they resented any questions. Ironically,
they seemed to be the worst payers. I learned early on that jobs
varied greatly by work hours and benefits; some companies might say "9
to 5" but really mean 8 to 6 and no lunch.

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