DISQUS

Ask a Manager: how much does industry knowledge matter? (not at all)

  • Lisa Allender · 1 year ago
    Hi there.Read on my Yahoo! page news your "Signs An Interview Went Well" article, and followed-up by clicking on your Askamanager blog.
    Really sure, sound advice.
    I have a theatre background, and work as a writer too, and now work in a third career in retail. Jewelry. Love it, and have learned a great dealthrough on my own initiative, and with tremedous support from the huge retailer for whom I work. Keep up the great work, and feel free to Google me and click on my website, and then one of my blogs....
    Peace,
    Lisa Allender, Atlanta, GA.
  • Lisa Allender · 1 year ago
    OOPS!A few errors in my earlier post. Sorry 'bout that!
    Peace,
    Lisa Allender
  • HR Maven · 1 year ago
    I have hired the last four people in HR who have had no direct HR experience. Each brought such an incredible skill set - people, technical, communication and financial experience that it was easy to 'see' them in their respective positions. With the right combo of mentoring, training, education and experience, they have been (and are) exceptional employees.

    I frequently encourage hiring departments to see beyond the concrete. We do and it has paid off handsomely.
  • Wally Bock · 1 year ago
    A fine, well-reasoned post Alison, but I disagree. I think that you have to ask for every position if there is indeed specific experience (industry, specialty, relationship, whatever) that a person needs to bring to the party. I've also come to think that the "industry-specific" experience is more likely to be important, the higher up in the organization the position to be filled is located. The more experience people have, the more likely they are to see the world through the lens of that experience.
  • Rich Milgram · 1 year ago
    I agree with your article that hiring decisions should not be based on industry knowledge and skills alone. At Beyond.com, we look for candidates that would be a good fit within our corporate culture and team environment. Although skills and qualifications are important, these attributes can be learned, but the ability to work well in a team is more difficult to find. We believe that team collaboration is major factor to our company’s success. Every level of our organization (from new-hires to senior management) comes to build friendships, grow professionally and contribute to Beyond.com, which has allowed us to quickly expand our operations and position ourselves for future growth.
  • Rachel Robbins · 1 year ago
    I think if i you're in HR it matters because the environment can be so different. For example I went from manufacturing to a non-profit in human services. HR is HR however these two environments are completely different.