Nepotism in Dallas, have you seen it?

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by CallMeLaura

Part of what you might consider nepotism could be a different value system. As was mentioned earlier, some people don't hire for technical qualifications, but for 'soft' reasons, such as dependability and teamwork.

Not everyone is going to have strong technical skills AND good interpersonal skills and many hiring managers will favor one over the other. Depends on whether you fear a bunch of Type As bickering constantly or a cohesive group that can't find their butts with both hands more.

Some people would consider the latter group nepotism, but the former group could be just as ineffective in the long run.

I don't like nepotism. If you have the technical qualifications to work a job, you should get the job. I look at it as hiring someone who isn't totally qualified hurts YOUR chances of getting a job because that spot will be taken.

[Bjones1976]

Thanks for responding

Originally Posted by CallMeLaura

Part of what you might consider nepotism could be a different value system. As was mentioned earlier, some people don't hire for technical qualifications, but for 'soft' reasons, such as dependability and teamwork.

Not everyone is going to have strong technical skills AND good interpersonal skills and many hiring managers will favor one over the other. Depends on whether you fear a bunch of Type As bickering constantly or a cohesive group that can't find their butts with both hands more.

Some people would consider the latter group nepotism, but the former group could be just as ineffective in the long run.

[CallMeLaura]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

I don't like nepotism. If you have the technical qualifications to work a job, you should get the job. I look at it as hiring someone who isn't totally qualified hurts YOUR chances of getting a job because that spot will be taken.

I don't like nepotism, either.

But, I said that some hiring practices can appear as nepotism (meaning it wasn't nepotism, just looks that way). There are two main aspects to a job - performing the work and getting along with others. Requiring both for every job would result in a much higher unemployment rate.

So, assuming that the people who are already knowledgeable and have good interpersonal skills have already been hired, but you have spots left to fill, means you have to pick either people who aren't up to speed skill-wise or who don't play well with others.

Some people assume you can teach technical skills and some people assume you can teach personal skills. And some don't care if you ever pick up the skill you're lacking.

Having worked in 'teams' where very competent people tried to undermine others, I can see the value in hiring someone with soft skills and hoping to teach them technical ones. In my field, that's actually a better approach because the technology is constantly changing. What do you do in two years with out of date technical skills and no personal skills?

The problem is that not everyone IS teachable and you're left with whatever you hired. That is not the same as hiring someone with no intent of making them into a good employee, which is what nepotism is.

[Bjones1976]

I agree. It boils down to someone's personal preconceived opinion or feeling, which I'm not sure has a place when it comes to hiring practices. I think it's a good thing that there are laws set in place regarding if for nothing more than to hold employers accountable regarding their "reasons" for hiring or not hiring anyone.

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

I don't like nepotism. If you have the technical qualifications to work a job, you should get the job. I look at it as hiring someone who isn't totally qualified hurts YOUR chances of getting a job because that spot will be taken.

[rb4browns]

Originally Posted by Bjones1976

I agree. It boils down to someone's personal preconceived opinion or feeling, which I'm not sure has a place when it comes to hiring practices. I think it's a good thing that there are laws set in place regarding if for nothing more than to hold employers accountable regarding their "reasons" for hiring or not hiring anyone.

Bjones, that's kind of silly. Certainly a hiring authorities "feeling" should be factored in to a hiring decision. As I pointed out earlier, the basic ability to "do the job" is only one part of being qualified for a position. To pretend otherwise tells me you have never had to actually hire someone, have had trouble holding a job because you focus only on "doing the job" and not the other soft skills that go in to having a successful career, or both.

[lh_newbie]

I'm willing to put money that bjones doesn't realize he's the one with only the "technical" skills. (sorry, it's a cheap shot, but I had to say it)

[Bjones1976]

Originally Posted by rb4browns

Bjones, that's kind of silly. Certainly a hiring authorities "feeling" should be factored in to a hiring decision. As I pointed out earlier, the basic ability to "do the job" is only one part of being qualified for a position

Want to see a business go down in flames or suffer tremendously? put someone in place who makes business-decisions based on emotions or feelings. Pretending that nepotism is anything more than hiring people based on whether or not you can relate socially (non-work related) is bull. If you don't have a problem with it fine, just don't try to sugar coat itl

Originally Posted by rb4browns

To pretend otherwise tells me you have never had to actually hire someone, have had trouble holding a job because you focus only on "doing the job" and not the other soft skills that go in to having a successful career, or both.

One phrase "Preconcieved notions"

Thank you for illustrating some of my point.

[Bjones1976]

Cheap and shot....yes that would describe this response. However, you can still redeem yourself simply by doing a little research. That way the next time you make a statement you'll actually have some factual data to back it up!

See ya soon !

Originally Posted by lh_newbie

I'm willing to put money that bjones doesn't realize he's the one with only the "technical" skills. (sorry, it's a cheap shot, but I had to say it)