Yahoo! CEO! didn't! even! read! his! own! CV!
CompSci degree gaffe dates back to PayPal days
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Yahoo! CEO Scott Thompson has said that the fuss over his CV and the computer science degree that never was is totally not his fault - because he never gave the web firm his résumé or told them what qualifications he had.
Thompson is in hot water over a discrepancy in SEC-filed paperwork that stated he held a computing degree when he doesn't. The documents were drawn up and submitted after Yahoo! took him onboard.
According to Thompson, who has apologised for the gaffe, the error stems from an inaccurate biography that was written about him ages ago, back before he landed his previous role at PayPal.
He was interviewed by an executive placement firm for that job at the money-handling website - but it's claimed he didn't mention a computer science degree and that his interviewers put together his résumé on their own and he didn't bother to read it, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
This CV was later used for his online bio at PayPal, and then at Yahoo! and in drawing up paperwork about his appointment as CEO.
Irritated Yahoo! investor Third Point, which first pointed out Thompson actually has an accounting degree, also spotted the inaccuracy on his official bio at PayPal.
It's claimed that Thompson has suggested to his staff that the person who originally interviewed him might have been at a junior level - presumably implying if he or she had been more senior they would have stood over Thompson and made him read his own CV.
And the Yahoo! chief added that when he was asked about his degree in computer science during a chat with National Public Radio in the US, he didn't simply correct them because that would have been a bit awkward. ®
COMMENTS
Would it wash if they found one of their employees had an incorrect CV, and they said "I didn't bother to read it, and then when I was aware people had got the wrong idea, I didn't bother to correct them because it would be a bit awkward"?
I don't think so. It's about time the behaviour and pay of the folks holding jobs on this level were more closely regulated, cause they're getting paid ridiculous sums and getting away with things that would ensure the rest of us could never find another job again. It's getting out of hand.
On a side note, I wonder if correcting the interviewer would have been more awkward than all this?
Re: Lets be honest...
Let's be even more honest - the degree isn't as significant as the lack of of commitment to honesty and accuracy.
Just to clear things up, Mr. Thompson
We're not saying it's your fault. Not at all. We're just saying it's your RESPONSIBILITY.
Responsibility is what makes your pseudo-excuses even more lame than they already are. And the fact that someone apparently needs to explain this to you is what makes me believe that you are indeed not fit to run any company, even if it's naught but a bunch a Yahoos.
But don't worry, Mr. Thompson, you're not alone. There are plenty of CEOs like yourself who blame others and say "not my fault !" as soon as something goes wrong while pocketing plenty of dollars in "compensation" for the "heavy responsibilities" of their position.
Actually, it's the CEO who has the balls to step up to the plate and say "my bad, sorry for that, here's my resignation if you wish" who should be applauded for the proper interpretation of the word "responsibility". I'd even cut him some slack - once. And frankly, I find very surprising that there are so few CEOs who have taken this step, when - from what I've heard - they're all trying to position themselves as the unique swan in a sea of ducks.
But hey, what do I know ? I only have what I've actually done on my CV, so I'm clearly not CEO material.
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