When people use "minimum" or "maximum" and then follow that with a range. - eviltoast

I once applied for a job where one of the requirements was “minimum 5 to 10 years experience in X”. My friend told me to submit a CV saying I have 3 to 6 years experience in X and see if they shortlist me.

  • zaph@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    13
    ·
    8 months ago

    “5-10 years experience” is a range of time anyone can understand. “MINIMUM 5-10 years” is a range that makes absolutely no sense. Imagine if the speed limit signs in your area said “maximum 35-45 mph” and tell me how fast you’re allowed to drive.

    • hedgehog@ttrpg.network
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      8 months ago

      Speed limit signs with ranges would make sense if given some additional clarification by the issuing authority. For example:

      • The upper bound is the limit in perfect conditions; the lower bound is the limit when the weather is bad in any way
      • The upper bound is the limit when there’s no traffic. The lower bound is the limit when there’s substantial traffic.
      • The upper bound is the limit normally. The lower bound is the limit during school hours.

      Even without a clarification drivers could probably assume it’s some combination of the above.

      (A job description could have the same clarification but probably doesn’t, as “minimum” is just an error on the part of the person writing it. But they could say “5-10 years minimum experience, depending on level and nature of education,” and then a reader could infer that a person with a relevant Master’s degree might need 5 years of experience; a relevant Bachelor’s degree - 6 years minimum; a major in something else - 8 years minimum; only a high school diploma - 10 years minimum.)

      • ElderWendigo@sh.itjust.works
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        4
        ·
        8 months ago

        Those clarifications are in the driving manual you should have studied to get your license. The posted limit is only accurate under ideal conditions, often being affected by weather and local conditions. In most places you can be ticketed for speeding by driving at the limit during rain or other weather events. Posting a range of numbers would just add clutter and limit readability, the range is implicit on the road because it is explicitly laid out in elsewhere through regulation.