Dear Bob ...Recently I interviewed a candidate that had potential. We hired him on a conditional basis. I threw a few tasks his way so that he could get an understanding of what we do and how we do it. I soon discovered his PC skills are almost nonexistent.Our department moved to storing almost all of our work on the company network some years ago and his lack of PC skills makes it very difficult to even determi Dear Bob …Recently I interviewed a candidate that had potential. We hired him on a conditional basis. I threw a few tasks his way so that he could get an understanding of what we do and how we do it. I soon discovered his PC skills are almost nonexistent.Our department moved to storing almost all of our work on the company network some years ago and his lack of PC skills makes it very difficult to even determine if he understands other aspects of the job. What I need is a test of common PC skills that I could give to future candidates. Simple stuff like creating network folders, searching the network for the files from a specific project, switching between the default printer and another network printer, etc. I don’t expect them to be able to assemble various Word and Excel files into a single coherent Acrobat file but it would be nice. Do you have any experience in tests for what I assumed were common PC skills? Everything I found on Google were associated with certification tests and specific to one program, i.e. Oracle, SAP, network administration, programming, etc.Which also brings up the question of what PC skills employers should expect a potential candidate to have when they are hired.– Testy Dear Testy …I don’t know of such a test, but I imagine it must exist. But I don’t know that it’s worth the time you’d spend searching for it. I figure an hour of brainstorming would be excessive for figuring out what you want someone to be able to do, and to turn that into a set of instructions any applicant could take to a PC standing in a test cubicle. For example:1. Create an MS Word document in a new folder called “WhyHireMe.” Use the standard template called “CompanyStdTemplate.” The document should contain three major subjects, each using the Heading 1 style; called “Work Habits,” “Learning Style,” and “Management Skills.” In each section, list at least three bullet points that fit the subject. The document should be given a running header called “Why You Should Hire Me” and a running footer that displays the page number. Store the file under the name “BasicPersonalFacts,” and print it using the network printer called “ApplicantPrinter.” 2. Create an Excel spreadsheet that lays out your expectations for salary, benefits, and annual bonus over the first five years of your career here. Store it under the name …And so on. With instructions like these, no applicant can fake the skills but any applicant possessing them can breeze through the test in no time at all.I imagine it would be fun to create the test, too. Different employers expect different levels of PC competence. What should they expect? That, sadly, is too-often an entirely different question. I figure that for anyone who works at a desk, these are the basic tools of the trade. Those who haven’t had the opportunity to learn them deserve sympathy. Those who have had the opportunity but refused to do so deserve to find work anyplace except where you and I work, just as a carpenter who refuses to learn to use a compound mitre saw isn’t one I’d want on my construction site.– Bob Technology Industry