Reports would have you think the Silicon Valley
job market is roaring back. Santa Clara county added roughly 4,000 jobs in May and June! (Oops, in a universe of ~815,000).
I missed the May breakdown but 75% of the new jobs in June were in retail, construction or temp jobs (~1Ku each).
The past-bubble Silicon Valley experience has been companies hiring only for exact
skill sets or direct customer or competitor knowledge. Generalists need not apply.
Outside
of growing demand for new CEO's, one area of some strength has been low-end jobs suitable for people with training and/or
education but without a lot of work experience. After all, they tend to work for less than well-experienced professionals. Lowering the pay scale for the "middle" can help preserve the pay scale at
the top.
Below is an actual job description which, I hope, represents a new low in how companies are shopping
for specific employee characteristics. Having gone this far, I'm surprised there wasn't a height/weight or other appearance
requirement.
I thought it was actually illegal to describe the job requirements as listed below but what do I know:
*
* * *
Field Sales Representatives – Outside Sales
Well established Manufacturers Representative for
Semiconductor and Electronic Suppliers for Northern California and Northern Nevada territories. XXX is a California Corporation
and has been in business since 19XX. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley with quick access to Hwy xxx, xxx and xxx.
JOB
DESCRIPTION: Conduct Direct sales for Various Suppliers of Power Supplies, Liquid Crystal Displays, I/O Controllers, DRAM,
SDRAM, Memory Modules, Capacitors, Resistors, Transistors, etc.
Ability to cold call Customers, make customer visits,
develop design wins, and close new business opportunities.
Assist Supplier and customer with problem solving of technical
issues regarding system function and application within the context of customer requirements.
Interface with Inside
Sales Support to coordinate pricing, quotes, customer sales orders and follow up.
Project Supplier forecasts, and complete
monthly opportunity reports.
QUALIFICATIONS: Female Field Sales Representative: Seeking
a driven and energetic woman with a minimum two (2) years prior Sales Experience required of commission-based
sales of Semiconductor products and/or Contract Manufacturing services.
§ Excellent oral, written and presentation
skills. § Must have strong attention to detail and follow up skills, and the ability to work effectively fast paced environment. §
Demonstrate an ability to communicate technical concepts. § Possess determination and flexibility to adapt to a variety
of adverse sales conditions. § Desire a long-term career in sales. § Professional demeanor. § Working experience
with Word and Excel.
COMPENSTATION: Commission based sales 401K Plan Disability Insurance ST/LT Medical,
Dental and Vision benefits available
I
thought this was a fluke and somebody would quickly retract it or amend the description. However, it was still posted
a week after I first saw it suggesting there may be there is a lawyer somewhere
who is advising the company this is OK.
I have
to wonder what types of "adverse sales conditions" this woman can be expected to tolerate and overcome.
Or maybe
it's just me and this is the wave of the future.
