Can’t think of a good title, since what I originally thought of putting was waaaaay too long.
Anyhow…I’m going to give two examples to make what I’m asking a bit clearer.
Job Searching
On a website I’m browsing through, there’s a “Skills and Occupational Certifications” section. In there, you basically have a huge list of skill groups and skills within those skill groups that you can check off if you have knowledge in that subject.
Examples:
Agriculture - Knowledge of soil analysis methods
Design & Programming - Knowledge of 3D model texture process
Electrical Engineering - Knowledge of electromagnetic wave propagation and transmission principles Mathematics - Knowledge of integral calculus principles
Focusing on that last one to further my example, I technically know the basics of integration (first year university course), but can I really deem myself knowing enough to check that box off? I mean, I don’t really know how to do complicated integration with like hyperbolic multiple variable functions or the likes, so in that sense, I don’t really “know” integral calculus.
The same thought process can be applied to pretty much EVERYTHING. I know how to use Microsoft Excel sure, but I don’t memorize the advanced formulas, or know squat about macros. Therefore, I don’t really “know” Microsoft Excel.
Therefore, I can’t confidently check any box, and I feel dumb now for not knowing anything. If I DO check it off, I feel like I’m lying.
Tutoring
I’ve strayed away from ever actually tutoring other students although it’s been brought up a few times, as I’m afraid I won’t know or remember all the concepts that I was supposed to learn back then. I learnt that stuff in the past; I should know it! I’m probably gonna come across as stupid and a liar if I say I know this stuff when I apparently actually don’t (remember), and that of course will make me look unethical and whatnot…
Am I really doomed because I don’t 100% know the fields I study?
It’s a judgement call. You can also try yourself out in some cases, such as trying to help people with their homework for free and seeing how it goes before you advertise yourself as a professional tutor.
Context can matter. In the integral calculus example, without knowing why they are asking, I would guess that what you describe knowing counts as “knowledge of the principles”. But, if I understood that they were hiring professors and were trying to figure out whether teaching the calculus class was one of the things they could assign you, I’d think again.
I generally take those questions to mean “I could, in theory, use my knowledge of this subject to identify and solve a problem with reference materials.”
Nobody knows everything about a field, except for perhaps very, very narrow subfields. Hell, in Machine Learning there are nearly dead subfields. However, you’d be daft to say a math professor doesn’t know “math” just because his specialty lies in computational geometry and thus is perhaps a bit fuzzy on abstract algebra.
However, this only applies to language like “fundamentals”, “principles”, “working knowledge” etc. I would feel comfortable saying I know the “fundamentals” of integral calculus. I would not feel comfortable identifying myself as an “expert”. I wouldn’t feel comfortable identifying myself as an expert unless I had extensive professional (or very extensive hobbyist/amateur) experience with it.
I agree - I would happily check a box to say I had knowledge of the “principles” of integral calculus, from the study I did a few years ago at school and university. But if the question related to the ability to apply these principles, I would not check the box as for me to do this would require some considerable revision/reference texts. In fact, if the question just said “knowledge of integral calculus”, I would not check the box, as although I have knowledge of the principles, I don’t really know enough about the detail.
Similarly, like the OP I would check a box that asked for “knowledge and experience of using Microsoft Excel”, because I use it on a daily basis and can make simple formulas and graphs work. But I wouldn’t know how to construct a macro or complex formula without referring to the help function. For most jobs, the former is all they are looking for, to weed out the people who have never seen the program before and would need assistance just with basic tasks.
I would also say that all of these things can and will be clarified at the interview stage, if it’s not clear from context. So I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
However, when job hunting I happily give myself the benefit of *every *doubt. Experience with Stochastic Chemical Kinetics? Sure, why not? Hand me pliers, a mixing bowl, three albino typists and a trampoline.
It’s fair to claim knowledge of an area even at some minimal level, if you make that clear later on in the process. You’ll have plenty of time to explain that you only took one course in Integral Calculus long ago during the interview. If you impress them enough that might be good enough for the job. If it was a critical skill requiring in depth knowledge and experience before they’d consider an applicant, then they should have said so.
Congratulations on being the millionth person to use that joke! You win a toaster.
Anyway, there’s obviously wiggle room, but I have “knowledge of” the principles of integral calculus in the sense that I know they exist. Bear in mind that the OP is just checking boxes on a list, not filing an actual application. Any employer that cares whether he knows integral calculus principles is going to expect more than a five year old intro course.
If he’s the millionth person in “only” c47,000 posts to point this out, maybe there’s something in it :).
On topic: it seems to me there is a difference between knowing the principles of integral calculus exist, and being aware of some of those principles and how to apply them in simple situations requiring their use (and of course another difference between that and being able to do so without any reference materials, and maybe another level still where you could be considered an expert in the subject). That’s why I would check the box. If they wanted someone who was “proficient in integral calculus problem-solving”, they should have said so. I would not check a box worded in this way.
Also, in my (admittedly limited) experience employers tend to pitch for more than what they think they can get. A large number of the attributes they ask for may well be desirable rather than essential.
I used to be knowledgeable in many areas. Until I joined this MB. Now I read more and post less. Back to the OP. I think their intent is to discover if you are scared, and can you learn?
My state’s employment website has an online application that you use to apply for all state jobs. One page is just what you described. You have to check off all different areas of knowledge/experience/skills. Well, I filled out the application (more on the conservative side) and applied for all kinds of low-level entry type positions. All came back as “failed prescreening”. I got discouraged and stopped applying for stuff.
Recently, I became acquanted with a guy who is employeed by the state and we got to talking about the whole hiring process. He told me to go back and check any box I knew the *slightest thing *about. Ever fix a leak? You have plumbing knowledge. Ever change a lightbulb? Physical Plant maintenance and repair!
You get the idea. He tells me its all part of the process, and everybody does it and everybody expects it.
So, I go back and redo my application, and check every box that I have *any *knowledge or experience in, and re-apply to a whole shit-tons of jobs. All came back as “qualified”! Got invited to take several exams, all of which I passed with flying colors, and now am near the top of several lists for upcoming job openings.
None of which I’ll get, because I don’t have connections.
I don’t know, but I guessed a job relying on you ticking boxes is probably only looking for knowing how to integrate at all, not looking for someone who can write a textbook on differential manifolds.
Based on your described knowledge I think you can check the box. They didn’t say “expertise” or “extensive experience” or any qualifier other than knowledge of. If you can at least speak intelligently to a topic and have done it, I think that qualifies as knowledge of.
On my resume’s skills section I use gradual descriptors such as the above, and also “familiarity with,” to differentiate my extensive experience from what I’ve studied or have limited experience with.
They are the ones who want “knowledge of.” Check Yes.
