jobs based on knowledge or marks?

I've landed jobs through all three methods in the past: their tests, experience and education. I think it depends on what the job is and what the company's looking for. For starters, there's a huge difference between knowledge and experience. I have a degree in Computer Science - but the simple fact is that 80-90% of what I learned was out of date and/or useless as soon as I had the degree. Yes, there's some knowledge that is essential (of course) but I didn't need to have done a degree to learn it. Some companies want the knowledge because it's fundamental. Some want experience because having the knowledge doesn't mean you know how to use it in the real world. I mean, I can tell you about database analysis and requirements gathering (among other things) but if I don't know how they're actually done, the company's going to have to teach me. As for the tests, I think they're silly. I'm sure they can help with some basic checks (can you read, write and think) but apart from that, they're nonsense. The "psychological" test results are skewed because people answer what they think the company wants to hear. The purely mathematical or logical tests don't really indicate ability in anything except basic reasoning: I took one for a London job and scored 99.6% on it. Insanely easy if your brain works a certain way: the business analyst sitting next to me (and earning twice as much) had score 60-something. If it were me interviewing, I'd want to hear about the person. What drives them, what do they expect from the job, do they have basic skills are they flexible, will they call in sick all the time because they're lazy as hell and think the world owes them a living (which is often the case for students)? Most of that won't show up on paper.

In my field, Graphic Design, knowledge far out weighs marks. When I go in for an interview they don't care where I've been or if I got A's or B's. They want to see my portfolio. Look at my work. It speaks for itself. I think this should hold more weight in other fields too. What difference does a piece of paper with a better university name or a higher letter grade mean when compared to someone who can perform and show you their skills and abilities?

Knowledge is not the same thing as education. It doesn't mean that one with good grades or more education is smarter than one without. It doesn't even mean that they've actually understood the material, just that they have memorized what they were supposed to.

I depedns on the job position. Some jobs require skills and others require knowledge. Others have a need for socializing while others does not need it in the job description. Most jobs offers and positions are pretty specific on what kind of people are needed, it just depends on how the employer's impression of the applicants. If the emploters think that the applicant won't fit in, chances are that the applicant is not going to expect some calls or notification. Most of the time, employers want employees who are knowledgeable in the industry that they are in. You don't hire a chef with a degree in Nursing. But sometimes, some companies (and applicants) overlook this becuase they are in dire need of manpower and not too many applicants pass their expectations. In the side of the applicants, few job positions force them to apply to jobs that they are not trained in. There are consequences but the main goal is to get a job, any job. In a tight economy, nobody minds if your degree fits your work, as long as it feeds the family and provide money for the expenses.

If you base all your job selections on scores only then expect other problems to come up. A person can not be judged by his high scores but we have attitudes too to consider. That person maybe the most genius but he can not get along with others. Another is skills. Skills are very important especially when you are running a factory. So I say it is tough to decide but for sure our instincts as humans must be of help. Thanks for sharing.