Count the times...
I'm running interviews for an entry-level position that has opened up in my business.
"So... are you pretty confident with your math skills?"
"Well, I do okay. Not great, but fairly good."
"Ok. Let me try to get an idea. What is 82% of 100?"
"..*awkard pause*.."
"..."
"Um... I don't know."
Three candidates, zero correct answers. Although one brave applicant did fire off a shot in the dark, she missed (points for courage?).
Am I expecting too much here? That seems like a pretty basic question to me. My office partner said his son who is in fifth grade would know the answer off the top of his head. And this last candidate was just two years shy of a college degree from a local city college! I could see if I was asking 35% of 200... or how a 20% discount would affect a $500 annual premium ...
Help me out here. What level math would you consider this? Basic? Intermediate? Advanced?
"So... are you pretty confident with your math skills?"
"Well, I do okay. Not great, but fairly good."
"Ok. Let me try to get an idea. What is 82% of 100?"
"..*awkard pause*.."
"..."
"Um... I don't know."
Three candidates, zero correct answers. Although one brave applicant did fire off a shot in the dark, she missed (points for courage?).
Am I expecting too much here? That seems like a pretty basic question to me. My office partner said his son who is in fifth grade would know the answer off the top of his head. And this last candidate was just two years shy of a college degree from a local city college! I could see if I was asking 35% of 200... or how a 20% discount would affect a $500 annual premium ...
Help me out here. What level math would you consider this? Basic? Intermediate? Advanced?
posted by Miroslav at 3:51 PM
11 Comments:
I always read stories about how employers are having trouble finding qualified job applicants. It is sobering to read a specific real-world example. As a schoolteacher, I am mortified at the shockingly low aptitudes of our youth. At least I am not a math teacher.
Well, Christian is 8 and he figured it out.
It took a little thinking -- first he said, "About 80%" but got the correct answer with in his next thought :)
I'll soon be out of work so here goes nothing....carry the 2, divide by 3.2, round to the nearest thousand..uh...18! That wasn't so tough.
Basic, shmasic.
lol, Miroslav,
it is basic sixth grade math. Most of my fourth grade gifted would get it, though not 1/3. Especially this year, sigh. Why are we going through courts about basic ed requirements for a hs dimploma? I do not get it.
Pat
Ooooh, will there be a post about opinions on the high school exit exam requirements? All those crazy people out there who are resisting getting students really educated tick me off (that's a nice variation of pee-o'd that you can use, Miro). mr. d inspired me here.
Can you axe me that again?
Oh, Anonymous--that's one that I get PO'd over!
Speaking of math, let me know what you think of this. If you were to knock a third off of that "food" bill of yours, you could send $333.33 to fund a great cause. The Howler going to bible college fund. The benifets overshadow the cons. I doubt that you'll starve and you might even lighten up around the mid area. Not to mention that there's that good feeling that comes along with helping out a fellow christian who's dedicating his life to follow after the Lord. How cool is that! It is truly a win win situation. What say you.
Chanman,
The qualified candidate hunt continues. To no avail... :(
Deborah,
Is he looking for work?
Sidewards8,
Yes well. Nobody said tile layers were the smartest guys on the block.
Dashboard,
Uh huh. And what do YOU do for a living?
Mr. D,
So many kids with so few real parents. That is the most core issue in my book.
Auntie Lamb,
Um... no post forthcoming about exit exams. Sorry to say, I have no real opinion or thoughts on the subject. Sorry.
Anonymous,
You Racist.
;)
Sidewards8,
Unfortunately, based on your prior demonstration ofmath skills , I can't take your advice on personal budgeting to heart.
This is so pathetic. Do you blame our state for wanting our high school graduates to be able to pass an exit exam? Our state can't produce high school graduates that can do 4th grade Math. I am so pissed off!
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