The biggest fallacy of "experience"

2008-10-23

Empty résumé filler. Let's talk about it.

You've almost certainly seen (or written) a bio where it says, "X years of experience in such-and-such skill" to sound impressive and establish authority and expertise in a field. (Step up, I've done it myself.)

Problem is, that's a rare type of unhelpful simplicity. Unhelpful because it doesn't call out details, and certainly doesn't go, "It wasn't all continuous! There were gaps where this person was doing absolutely nothing with this skill." Shamefully, it's… simpler to just write "X years" without calling out attention to your deficits, and call it a day.

Another problem: it's just a number which doesn't provide a measurement of what you learned and applied. Someone could have 10 years of experience making widgets, but basically be an automaton expressing no creativity. Compare that with someone else who makes widgets for 6 months, then gets bored and reads some books on how to make better widgets. This someone else then makes the best darn widgets for 1 year which moves hisher company ahead in the marketplace. Then, they get bored again. Finding they've hit the "widget ceiling", they move on, finishing their tour de widget with an overall superior mastery to the "10 years" widgetmaker.

Who would you rather have on your side? Even veteran entreprevangelist Guy Kawasaki enthuses in his new book which I'm reading, Reality Check:

I would pick an Apple II repair department engineer over a PhD from MIT if he "gets it," loves it, and wants to change the world with it.

A conjoined truth: it isn't just about education (or degrees). It's the sheer will to learn and do. Sure, it's normal for companies to put a minimum degree qualification in positions to deter a general swatch of unqualifieds, but that still won't stop someone who's doggedly determined and able to do what the job demands (and beyond). A few like Ooga Labs declare:

We really don't care about your degrees. We don't really care what programming languages you know. We just care that you're a great engineer or designer who loves to work hard & build stuff and who has a personality that fits with ours — you talk and communicate openly and you're honest with yourself. Personality is very important to us because culture is primary for us.

I've a lack of orthodox education on a number of fronts. I didn't go to college. Why the heck not? Because I'm an autodidact who knows better. Sounds arrogant if you haven't been there, perfectly understandable if you have. I wanted to spend that essential chunk of my life pouring my heart & soul into making music I wanted to hear and share. I did exactly that, before hyperacusis led me on a different path to Second Life, where I also excelled, thanks to people who believe in me.

Earlier in life, I also wanted to be a writer. My focus shifted from fiction to non-fiction, and I eventually became an acclaimed blogger. Did it take a degree? No, but it sure took a lot of writing. And not just an autocruise act, but consciously learning with each article and incrementally adding it up so it pays off in the long run. I call this knowledge compound interest.

This is not to gloat. As Shakespeare would say "Write what you know" and we should each know ourselves best. I'm here to show you what such dedicated passion can do for you, if you're willing to go beyond "experience" as a word and be relentless about exploring your potential.

It's beneficial to miss out on conventional expectations as long as you're doing what you really want to experience. And therein lies the truth, a life no one else can live for you.

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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

Toxic Menges 2008-10-24 at 2:44 AM UTC

What a great post Torley. After 5 years in a role where I excelled (running a community and volunteers, and working my tush off), I was told I would never progress within that companty as I didn't have a degree. I asked whether the previous 5 years experience in the company in the role I was in, excelling at it, and the previous 4 years I did as a volunteer building said community would count for anything, I was told no. I then asked whether if I had "any" degree, I would have any more chance. I was told yes. I then asked if someone with Golf Course Management, would be seen as more relevant than me. I was told yes. I thanked the HR person and left.

I have enthusiasm, intelligence, heaps of knowledge, love a challenge, and relish being given the chance to work on difficult projects that require specialist knowledge. I know I have an IQ of 136, and I know that for the majority of employers, this will never count for anything. But the ones that do take a chance on me – I certainly give them 110% back.

Shame on the firms who can't see past a degree.

Ari Blackthorne 2008-10-24 at 7:04 AM UTC

This is true.

As someone who has had to sit and interview countless applicants and eventually whittle down the list and make the recommendation, I always have looked carefully at the hands-on aspect of a person's experience.

I was hiring for the networking department of the computer retailer I worked for (no, not some big name – but a mom-and-pop-shop before all the Best Buys and Circuit City's came along).

These were applicants who pulled wire and fiber, but also completely assembled and configured brand new LANs in commercial environments on bid.

I always went with hands-on and practically never with "textbook theory-only" applicants, unless it was a simpler job, like warehouse assistant LOL

I once hired an ex-convict (it was something simple, like tax evasion or whatever) – and the poor guy was looking for work for something like six-months.

I decided what the hell. I need muscle and brain together.

He turned out to be the hardet worker, fastrst learner and most dedicated. I often look closely at anyone from the gay/lesbian community. and not for what might be obvious reasons.

I am so NOT politically correct (but you know that, Torley, just from parusing some of my rants on either of my blogs) – I looked at these groups because of one simple undeniable truth:

They feel a need to "prove" themselves, and thus, often turn-out to be the more dedicated people in work and responsibilities.

Good subject line, this post of yours.
I am amazed at the amount of "wierd truth" you always seem to come up with. maybe all us weirdos just gravitate to each other?

:)

theBlackUrchin Night 2008-10-24 at 8:03 AM UTC

I like to look at college as a tool. Like any tool it both extends and amputates. I agree that it is not for everyone and should not be a requirement for most jobs. What is most important is who you are and what you can do, your real experience, not a piece of paper.

College can be very beneficial though. I majored in multimedia and I found that just being around so many other artists was very educational and inspiring. I found it invaluable to learn and collaborate with a diverse group of artists from various majors such as dancers, musicians, actors, etc.

Some professors, students and readings opened up my mind to key things to explore that on my own I probably would have missed.

Now for the bad. When I signed up for the major I was given the impression it was very open and that we would be learning skills that we could apply to fine art, game design, etc. Then they began to really focus on and push commercial web design. I felt like I was being forced to fit in but I pushed and fought it the entire way. Not just for me but for the entire major.

Currently I am an autodidact, learning a new field. I enjoy the freedom to create my own path. Both forms of education can be ideal depending on the person and circumstances.

Torley 2008-10-24 at 6:36 PM UTC

@Ari: Great story — and I'm not concerned with being politically correct. I'd rather we simply be… correct. I'm often reminded of how people with unconventional backgrounds do exceptional things. A disproportionate amount of people I admire have either had a lot of travel in their youth (being exposed to diverse cultures) or were put through a hell of a lot of adversity.

Weirdo gravitational field FTW! ;D

@theBlackUrchin: For sure, just like on a more granular level, there are helpful and non-helpful teachers. And amongst schools, some are bound to benefit you far more than others. The problems happen when someone's forced into a situation not because of their own life goals, but parental pressure, old-school corporate mentality, or another flawed, awful way of crushing dreams.

In that, I'm glad to hear that your experiences were positive but that you could learn from "the bad", too. Some people never get out and suffer the rest of their lives (or for too long). Great perspectives.

Torley 2008-10-24 at 6:44 PM UTC

@Toxic: Sorry, your comment initially got stuck in my spam queue. Thanx for sharing your experiences — and indeed, shame on those who are inflexible about policies and rules. They're just hurting themselves and others in the end, and perpetuating such foolishness.

Lisa 2008-10-28 at 4:10 PM UTC

There's a fantastic essay I just ran across on the topic of college and experience you might enjoy: http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/susan/joke/essay.htm

I agree, employers who judge based on a college degree alone are misguided at best. College certainly has worth, but it is not a replacement for real-world experience. Some things you can only learn by doing.

Torley 2008-11-01 at 11:19 AM UTC

@Lisa: Thanks! I skimmed the first few sentences and think this is going to benefit from a deep peruse.

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