Please Don’t Screen Me Out By Eric Hartwell – March 2005

Eric Hartwell of 14 Our Situation We are looking for great people to join our team dpe = new MicrosoftCanada.Position(); dpe.greatopportunity = true; if (You.HavePassion) { resume.submit(); // } resume.submit();

Eric Hartwell of 14 Our Situation dpe = new MicrosoftCanada.Position(); dpe.greatopportunity = true; if (You.HavePassion) { resume.submit(); // }  STOP: 0x TRAP_CAUSE_UNKNOWN  STOP: 0x TRAP_CAUSE_UNKNOWN After careful consideration and assessment, your profile was not selected for participation in the interview process as we have identified other applicants whose skills and experience are more aligned to the specific requirements of this position.

Eric Hartwell of 14 Our Problem Automated online screening: “Your profile was not selected for participation in the interview process” My problem: –I expected an interview with Microsoft Microsoft’s problem: –Microsoft may or may not want an interview with me, but they’re not getting the chance to decide. –Is this an isolated case?

Eric Hartwell of 14 How Did This Happen? Web Based Application System –Microsoft Canada currently outsources the management and hosting of the Microsoft Canada web based Recruitment Management System. Over 40% of hires actually come from web site applications –“We are incredibly proud of the fact that our numbers of hires are so high from applications through the web and it is our desire to keep this number as high as it is.”

Eric Hartwell of 14 Objective Find the right person

Eric Hartwell of 14 Problem Computers are stupid

Eric Hartwell of 14 Problem Over 40% of hires actually come from web site applications This means up to 60% of hires don’t come from web site applicationsThis means up to 60% of hires don’t come from web site applications Why not? –not working? –process broken? Why direct applicants to use web site when it’s likely to fail?

Eric Hartwell of 14 Alternatives Considered Give up Gripe Hack –Tweak application to “beat” filter Bypass Bypass –Go for the 60% that don’t apply through the web Fix Fix

Eric Hartwell of 14 Alternatives Considered Fix: Bring In-House? –Is it Microsoft’s business to write software? YES. –Is it Microsoft’s business to write HR software? NO (currently, except for demos). MAYBE after future acquisitions for MBS. –Will bringing it in-house give Microsoft a competitive advantage? PROBABLY NOT. Do not bring in-house  Conclusion: Do not bring in-house

Eric Hartwell of 14 Alternatives Considered Fix: Outsourcing –Will improving the outsourced application give Microsoft a competitive advantage? YES –Will it help Microsoft partners? YES (if they use the same service) SolutionSimplifyWrap Refactor Review outsourced application Conclusion: Review outsourced application

Eric Hartwell of 14 Alternatives Considered Fix: Improved technology?.NET 2.0 Web Services HR-XML Microsoft Office Solution Accelerator for Recruiting Improving only the technology will still make the same mistakes, but faster and better Need to fix the business rules first Conclusion: Need to fix the business rules first

Eric Hartwell of 14 Recommendations Fix: Review Business Rules –Web form fields Redundant, obsolete skills –Rules for filtering Validate resume parsing Check weighting system Exceptions for certain keywords? –Process Better feedback! Instant, or by ? –Testing Try your own resume; Regional Directors; MVPs

Eric Hartwell of 14 Next Steps Eric HartwellEric Hartwell (416)  -  This slide show, complete with gratuitous graphics, effects, and copyrighted media, brought to you by Eric Hartwell. No rights reserved. PowerPoint is not evil, any more than C pointers are; it’s just the way some people use it that’s evil. With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.evil