Why do 'Fit' & 'Soft Skill' requirements only apply to American job applicants? (employee, applying)
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I have read countless threads on this site placing 'Fit' and 'Soft Skills' on a pedestal during the employment interview, some even stating that they are of the same importance as actually being able to do the job properly.
It is as if the corporate structure is some kind of inviolable religion where everyone must always be in agreement on all things.
In addition, every potential employee, from all levels of management, plus the technical, labor, and clerical ranks, must be able to prove their ability to 'think on their feet' and call up trivia pulled from their entire work history at the whim of any one of a dozen 'interviewers' that an applicant may have the misfortune of meeting while trying to achieve gainful employment.
It doesn't seem to matter what the wages, from minimum on up, every employee must be an effective presenter 'just in case', even if the position will never use those skills. Heaven help them if the haven't had a stint as a securities broker or used car salesman, because snake oil is the same as gold in these interviews.
Except...
Foreign workers. Suddenly, corporate culture goes out the window, the need to effectively present anywhere and to anyone is tossed by the wayside, concerns about gaps in employment or reasons for applying with your company or even requiring that they be easily understood by your co-workers or customers evaporates.
Does anyone believe the multitude of H-1B Visa techs, engineers, and programmers go through any of the hoops that are expected from their American born competitors? Companies don't care about anything but getting the work done when they can buy the labor at a discount on the world market.
How about foreign tech support and customer service lines for American customers? Does anyone believe that foreign level one or level two tech support and customer services representatives could get a job in an American company based in the USA? The same position here requires clear, concise diction, and at least a familiarity with the product or technologies being discussed.
How can people continue to defend the need for extremely high levels of soft skills that may only be needed on an occasional basis (and would then be within the employee's field of expertise) from Americans, when those same skills can be considered unnecessary if you get foreign employees at a large enough discount?
Foreign workers. Suddenly, corporate culture goes out the window, the need to effectively present anywhere and to anyone is tossed by the wayside, concerns about gaps in employment or reasons for applying with your company or even requiring that they be easily understood by your co-workers or customers evaporates.
Does anyone believe the multitude of H-1B Visa techs, engineers, and programmers go through any of the hoops that are expected from their American born competitors? Companies don't care about anything but getting the work done when they can buy the labor at a discount on the world market.
I hang out with software engineers all the time, even more before when I lived in Seattle. Yes, these foreign tech workers go through the exact same interview process as Americans, and get paid the same as their American counterparts.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AmFest
I hang out with software engineers all the time, even more before when I lived in Seattle. Yes, these foreign tech workers go through the exact same interview process as Americans, and get paid the same as their American counterparts.
Same here, and they are perfectly capable of making presentations, getting along with co-workers, and thinking on their feet, often more so than some of the native applicants.
Foreign workers. Suddenly, corporate culture goes out the window, the need to effectively present anywhere and to anyone is tossed by the wayside, concerns about gaps in employment or reasons for applying with your company or even requiring that they be easily understood by your co-workers or customers evaporates.
Does anyone believe the multitude of H-1B Visa techs, engineers, and programmers go through any of the hoops that are expected from their American born competitors? Companies don't care about anything but getting the work done when they can buy the labor at a discount on the world market.
To answer your question: Yes, I believe it, because I've witnessed it. At the tech company I'm familiar with, prospective H-1Bs are evaluated for communication skills, culture fit, etc., in exactly the same way American citizens are. And the idea that all H-1B recipients are paid a pittance is blatantly incorrect - again, speaking from personal experience.
I'm sure there are some bad apples in the bunch, but not every company that utilizes the H-1B system is running a giant scam operation. Far from it.
You clearly have an axe to grind, but unfortunately, in this instance, you're incorrect. Or you can try the Politics and other Controversies discussions. I'm sure you'll find lots of help in that echo chamber.
Nobody wants to work with someone they can't get along with. Foreign workers are from different cultures so we have different expectations of them and they can usually deliver in the specific niche they were hired for. If you grow up here you have the advantage of learning what is acceptable and what isn't. Stop looking for excuses for being a slob/unpleasant to be around at the workplace. Unless you are the top 1% of your field you won't get special treatment.
I don't know whether a candidate is an H1-B or not. Sometimes they put it on their resume. Otherwise, that's between them and HR. I'm pretty sure it's illegal to pay them less.
We don't evaluate any differently. If they can't communicate, or they're unpleasant, we still don't want to work with them.
Us Americans need to quit promoting that notion that H1-B's are paid less than we are. They are paid the same, that's the law and in some cases, some are paid more than we are.
In terms of a fit, nobody would want to work with them if they are not a fit. I have seen H1-B's "let go", just as I have American workers, for a poor fit.
There is a grain of truth to this, but also a lot of caveats. The H1B's we usually see have overwhelming technical skills that make up for deficiencies in their soft skills. I'd say the same applies to local people, but it's been a while since we went with a local based solely on over the top tech skills. To be honest, if their skills are that great, the fear is they won't hang around very long, or they will be prohibitively expensive to bring in. (aka, not a good fit). I work in a mature but dynamic corporate culture and for the true genius there are better places in our company than in my group. I'd refer that person to some other places.
Also, the lack of soft skills will hinder any person's ability to move on/up. So, while they can get hired, they may not be able to move to those "presenter" and management lead roles until their language, communication, etc., matches their technical skills.
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