Klarinet Archive - Posting 000888.txt from 1998/04

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Re: National Symphony 2nd Clarinet Job
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 06:05:09 -0400

Jonathan Cohler wrote:

> .....If people can't audition for jobs, and are going to be excluded arbitrarily
> based on what a paper resume says, then the system will be inherantly
> unfair and biased. Furthermore, it encourages (and essentially guarantees)
> that the vast majority of applicants will lie on their resumes in order to
> ensure themselves an audition spot.
>
> I am well aware that this is precisely what happens in the world of
> conductors where the number of audition slots is necessarily very limited.

Actually this is precisely what happens in many professional fields not just
music. People are selected for interviews (i.e. "audition") based on what is on
their paper resume. There are hundreds of applicants for all types of professional
positions who do not get in the door because their resume does not show what the
employer wants to see.

In my present position (I am an engineer), the company did not want to talk to
hundreds of people or even tens of people. When I submitted a resume, they were
mildly interested and asked me to expand upon it and send it in again. After I did
so, I had TWO lengthy phone interviews. Only after all this and taking time to
check my references, was I invited to interview at the company.

All one can do is keep trying.

Dee Hays
deerich@-----.net
Canton, SD