Cisco Mulls Adding Verbal Interview To CCIE Exams

Julie188 writes "Here's a new idea to stop certification test-taking cheaters; Cisco is considering introducing a verbal interview portion to its CCIE lab exams across the world. Cisco confirmed that it is running a pilot in its exam lab in Beijing, China that involves candidates taking a 10-minute verbal interview as part of their lab exam. Cisco said that if the pilot is successful, the interview could be introduced as a requirement for CCIE Routing & Switching candidates worldwide. The company has been running the pilot since August."

Comments

Cisco should be careful

[bugs2squash]

To avoid bias against people who don't speak English as their mother tongue.

Re:Cisco should be careful

[phantomcircuit]

Well this sounds completely wrong but realistically the vast majority of the documentation is in english, just because it's a common language.

Re:Cisco should be careful

[hedwards]

Sigh, PC gone amok. If they're working in IT then they'd better speak English fairly well. Most users have to type commands in English, most documentation is in English, a significant number of fora are in English. If you're not able to communicate reasonably well in English you're going to be at a serious disadvantage, one serious enough that the CCIE isn't likely to save your butt.

At some point people need to realize that there's a difference between ideal and what we've got, most civil rights legislation does have loopholes for times when the applicant can't do the job. And it's not because bigots managed to sneak it in, at some point the job needs to get done.

Re:Who cares if CCIEs are good conversationalists?

[bugs2squash]

I have a feeling that the primary purpose for CCIE is not their ability to fix a network. After all, it should be a rare occurrence that the network needs fixing.

No - I think that ability to fix a network is low on the list, which is, to my mind, led by...

1) Generating sales and generally advocating for Cisco

2) Bolstering a companies IT credibility when bidding for business

3) raising the bar to exclude cheaper competitors by making access to certified staff a mandatory part of a bid.

4) Allow board level execs to think the've "done the right thing" by hiring certifed staff who fit the bill.

In these functions, the ability to fit the mental image of what a technical professional should look like seems to me to be a very strong factor and I think there's a real danger that Cisco will make the CCIE a screentest for the role.

Re:What about other certs?

[mazarin5]

So, essentially your reasoning is that it would be ludicrous for somebody to be offended by a simple, holiday-related sentiment offered in good spirit? Or at least, they shouldn't be nearly as offended by yours as you are by theirs?

Re:What about other certs?

[DeepHurtn!]

No no, in the USA only white, straight male Christians are persecuted. You have no right to be offended.

Re:What about other certs?

[Anonymous Coward]

What is wrong with saying the name of the holiday to make it more personal?
Alrighty then.

Happy Hanukkah.