Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Is The Ability for Total Recall THAT important?



It’s really not whom you know, you still have to back it up with what you know.  I have come to understand this in my struggling search for a job opportunity.   The client only cares about NOW.  What is it NOW that you bring to the table, which will provide immediate gratification to the position?  I won’t go into the fact that many interviewers lack the skill for assessing an individuals ability, that’s a whole ‘nuther can o’ beans.

Your previous role activities and tasks are only relevant in getting the foot in the door.  They are not relevant to the immediate questioning or discussion if one is, like me, challenged when questions revolve around “how to” produce, execute, or tackle a specific operation/action on the spot.  Unless you are applying for a “mission critical role” i.e. ER medical practitioner, Airline Pilot, Police, Firefighter, Soldier etc., memorization should not be a requirement.  We’re in an age of digital referencing. The tool used to guide our minds when total-recall is not firing. 

I reference almost everything.  If individuals could recall with absolute regularity the broad spectrum of knowledge for their jobs, companies wouldn’t need policy/procedures/work instructions, would they?  They could just instruct and let people go on their way to complete the assignments/actions.

Maybe someone will recognize this fact and let people such as myself beyond the door to prove what I have proven throughout my successful career, that when given the opportunity I can succeed and make them look good in the process.

So, it’s more than total recall but, like in college, where can I go to get the information to complete the action(s)? “Never memorize something that you can look up.” Albert Einstein