Do Excel qualifications help in the workplace?

DiscoPistol

F_T_Buyer wrote: »

When I [helped] interviewed people at my place I arranged a test in excel, I told everyone by phone there would be simple test and it was very very basic. The amount of people who said they could do excel at a very experienced level, then was totally stumped when they did the test

The bain of my life is people who say they are 'Experts' because they can do a vlookup :mad:

SandC wrote: »

I've found with most of the Office package that if you are already using them then an intro course teaches you nothing you can't teach yourself, but an intermediate or advanced probably teaches you loads of stuff you won't need and misses out things you will.

I've always wondered why so many intro courses offer nothing more than a certificate from Joe Bloggs training company when the MCAS (or MOS/MOUS) offer a genuine Microsoft Qualification for about same amount of knowledge.

I suppose one is to learn the stuff in the first place while the the other is to qualify what is already known.

KiKi

DiscoPistol wrote: »

That's a good point and I concur. But what if you were looking at CVs and they both said 'Used Excel in last job' (and listed a few functions) but one had got an MCAS Expert for instance. Would you be inclined to take one application further in this hypothetical world of mine.

It depends to what extent Excel has to be used. For everyday office work / admin etc, someone who can use it well - and also PRESENT it well would be much more important than a qualification.

I would pay no attention to a qualification in Excel unless it had already been established as a requirement for the role - in which case no-one without it should be applying anyway. If they can both use Excel, I would make a decision based on the other aspects such as competence and experience.

In my experience I'd rather have someone competent at Excel who can also make it look good than an expert who presents spreadsheets and schedules etc poorly. But that assumes a general admin role which doesn't require expertise.

HTH
KiKi

milfield

If you were looking at a general IT qualification to cover most office type roles, then a lot of employers like to see ECDL as a qualification which covers Word, Excel, Powerpoint and a few other things.

I agree that you shouldn't have to do this as experience of using IT is probably a better indication of your abilities, but it's playing the employer game I'm afraid.

A number of my colleagues are very proficient in IT up to high-level programming but have in the past been asked by prospective employers whether they have ECDL. They answered 'no' and that was that! No logic I'm afraid. Not all employers will be like this obviously.

Hammyman

DiscoPistol wrote: »

Do you think that employers look on candidates with a basic Excel qualification (assuming an office job) favourably or are they seen as largely irrelevant.

DP[/LEFT]

I doubt they're of any consequence to Doris who makes the tea and answers the phone.

Ihatecameron

A number of my colleagues are very proficient in IT up to high-level programming but have in the past been asked by prospective employers whether they have ECDL. They answered 'no' and that was that! No logic I'm afraid. Not all employers will be like this obviously.

OMG! don't they realise that ECDL is little more than numpty level, how fick are some people. :rotfl:

SandC

I've never heard of any of those quals you mention. When I've gone for jobs it's usually been asked that you have proficiency in Office apps and if they want any more they state it. I've only had one guy ask me a question related to that but in my type of job (PA) the boss couldn't ask the question cos they'd not know the answer anyway. All they are bothered about is 'can you do it, does it look professional'. Often you can't gauge this until the person is in the job and carrying out the work.