<p>So basically the picture that emerges for me is this:</p>
<p>Big companies have developed “standards” for hiring that everyone has to meet–probably so that no one can ever sue them for discriminatory hiring practices–and they run all applicants through the same HR-generated credentials/numbers mill before they will let the managers actually see the applicants.</p>
<p>Smaller companies actually take the time to delve into how smart you really are, what you have really done, and what you will really be likely to be able to do in the future.</p>
<p>Not terribly surprising. As I mentioned in another thread, my management background is in technical communications, and I have always been astounded by the advertisements for technical writers that require knowledge of some particular word-processing or page prep package. (Not to mention degrees in specific subjects.) That’s paint by numbers hiring. Totally “safe,” totally unimaginative, not very effective in the long run.</p>