Too Many Filters

An AntiPattern candidate

Decision makers can become inundated with options, thus they employ filters to help winnow the solution space. This can be dangerous because current technology makes it nearly impossible to define a filter sophisticated to appropriately sift through the solutions. Consequently, any useful filter will eliminate high quality candidate solutions from the resulting pool of options.

Actually, I think this is one of the oldest documented management antipatterns. I seem to remember that JonathanSwift? documented this in GulliversTravels?. There was a land he visited where the nobles all had special servants who placed "bladders" over their eyes and ears when the servants decided that the nobles didn't need to see or hear what was happening. Likewise the servants would put the bladders over the nobles' mouths if they decided they didn't need to speak ... -- KyleBrown

Reference: http://www.jaffebros.com/lee/gulliver/bk3/chap3-2.html / http://www.switchboard.f2s.com/sllgt302.htm / http://www.bookrags.com/books/gltrv/PART18.htm

[Actual meaning is, unfortunately, the opposite of described: The flappers would tap one on the ear to remind one to listen, or on the mouth, to inform one that it's time for you to speak. Otherwise, their high minded leaders would generally be lost in thought, and oblivious to their surroundings. But, in a sense, this does mean that they filtered everthing out by habit -- which can be a problem.]

Although I've seen this AntiPattern in other contexts, it is particularly frustrating for me now in my current job search. A consequence of TheJobMarketSucks is the heavy use of recruiting firms to filter job applicants. Unfortunately for me, my recent experience is not heavy on the buzzwords often specified by employers to the recruiters (ie EJB, WebLogic, WebSphere). Therefore, in my estimation, I am eliminated from jobs at which I would otherwise be successful since picking up those technologies is merely an application of fundamental knowledge that I already have (DesignPatterns, project management, reading). Of course, effectively explaining that to a recruiter is not an easy task.

Of course, it's quite possible that prospective employers don't really care about any fundamental knowledge and all they really want is a BuzzwordCompliantCoder?. I certainly hope not.

But you wouldn't want to work for them anyway, so surely that's OK

Yes, early in my search I had the pride (and savings) to rely on the smug attitude, I wouldn't want to work for anyone who wouldn't hire me, anyway. I have since become less less smug and more discouraged. As DiscouragementLeadsToDespair, I've considered the Groucho Marx attitude, I wouldn't want to work for anyone who would hire me, anyway.

I'm thinking of putting a "Buzzwords to Trigger Your Résumé-Filtering Software" section on the bottom of my résumé. --NickBensema