I know we're in an economic downturn, but...
I received an unsolicited job advert today displaying an unbelievable amount of arrogance from the company concerned. Edited highlights and my reaction in the reply.
( Kroney, Thu 30 Oct 2008, 20:06, 4 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

*bing* Kroney has mail
"We are looking for blah blah blah...it is a requirement that you live no further than 30 minutes journey from our offices in ***. Applicants must have at least 3-4 years working experience within the business IT field; you will underpin this real world experience with a MINIMUM accreditation equaling AT LEAST Microsoft MCSE status.

Interview process:
Telephone Interview (10 mins)
Practical Test (30 mins)
Written Test (1 hour)
Interview (1 hour)"

(all emphasis mine)

Now. The issues I take with this are many. For context, I am an IT professional with the requisite 3 years of experience.

First of all, minimum of MCSE level accreditation? That's one of the highest Microsoft certifications you can get. It takes a minimum of 9 exams (off the top of my head) and around a grand of usually your own money to get one of those and they want it as a minimum? For the offered 28k a year? Not only that but they then expect you to sit a further hour's test, presumably because they don't actually trust the Microsoft certification enough to gauge your skill and require their own proof.

I have some idea of my worth in the market place and there's no way I'd stoop to the grovelling that appears to be required to get this job. If that's the kind of attitude they take when attempting to entice people to apply, what are they going to be like if they ever need to tell you off? The funny thing is that further down they say:

"We pride ourselves on team work and a friendly atmosphere"

If this advert is any indication of what they consider to be a friendly atmosphere, I think I'd rather go on a camping trip with Fred and Mae West.

The actual technical examples they've given in the advert are, by the way "installing Server 2000/2003 to domain level"; "designing Active Directory groups"; troubleshooting blah blah blah. Hardly deserving of the kind of God-like being they appear to want to employ for under 30 grand a year. They don't even offer a company motor: "own car is essential". And just what damned business is it of theirs where I live? If I say I can get to that job, I will get there and it's my look-out if I don't.

Anybody get job adverts which managed to mildly insult them recently?
( Kroney, Thu 30 Oct 2008, 20:07, Reply)

Yep
I got one a few weeks ago...

Monster advertised a role in Orpington, Kent. I'm looking to relocate closer to a certain lady of our acquaintance, so I was considering applying. I checked the job spec.

I have ten years of experience in my field. In every published criteria I exceeded the required standards by a considerable margin.

Anyway, before I applied I was contacted by the company who'd seen my CV on Monster.

They offered me £28k, £2k below the published salary.

I turned it down, explaining that I didn't want to take a pay cut.

They contacted me again:

"Although the role we offer is less than your existing salary, do remember that your travelling expenses may well be reduced, as a result you will be better off working for us".

I tersely replied that I live ten miles from my current workplace and cycle to work every day.

The role is still waiting to be filled, three months on.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Thu 30 Oct 2008, 20:25, Reply)

@ kroney
I don't think its unreasonable for an employer to expect a qualification. Otherwise anyone could claim to be an IT "professional".
(The Archduke of South London I'm in your Girlfriend eating her organs, Fri 31 Oct 2008, 10:30, Reply)

@bugger it kev
you've missed the point, old chap
( Kroney, Fri 31 Oct 2008, 11:38, Reply)