The problem with...

The problem with working all weekend is by the time the work week officially starts you need a break. But looking at the workload for the next few weeks / months I need to work harder and smarter to keep everything going.

Following on from my post the other day on writing employment ads I was reviewing all the applications today and I wondered whether I was being racist.

One of the roles I am seeking is for a Junior Website Designer, they need to have DESIGN skills, not a Masters of Information Technology.

The majority of the responses were from candidates whose country of birth is not Australia, further their natural language is not English and it painfully shows in their application letters.

The use of 'Hey I wants applications to positions eligible' is not likely to do much for their interview prospects.

But does it make me racist?

I hope not, I just want someone with the required skills.

I think in future I will create an online application process that forces the applicants to detail the experience and skills I require and not the ones I don't.

Whilst I found some of the past work experience in all sorts of service industries fascinating I don't need four pages on that experience I need relevant experience.

Talking of which having some one state that they are Muslim on their job application is problematic. It would be a bit like me stating I am Gay on a job advertisement (unless it was relevant).

Number one I have a dog in the office (which many Muslims have issues with) (well there are two actually) and two most strict Muslims I have met have had significant issues with people who are Gay.

I suppose all you can do is be totally objective and use a score card for the required skills etc and match the requirements with the applicant.

It would be similar if someone put on their application that they are an active member of the Hillsong Church. Their beliefs and my beliefs would significantly conflict and they would therefore not have the required skills for the role.

Thus far though the only two people that even came close do not come close enough and so I am reticent to do any more with them than the initial telephone interviews I have done.

I'm off to the gym tonight for the first time in weeks and I am not looking forward to the wimpy workout I will end up doing tonight. But that's what happens when you don't work out with regularity.