working knowledge

Zaphan58 · 28 Apr 2006 at 12:08

If someoen says they have a working knowledge of someting what does it mean? May be a little stupid question that I am pretty sure I know the answer to but I just want to make sure.

Does it mean they have a knowledge of it enough to work with it or does it mean they are learning it while working with it?

AthlonTom · 28 Apr 2006 at 12:08

You need to know how to use it in the real world - IE not just from books?

Zaphan58 · 28 Apr 2006 at 12:12

Well what I am trying to say on my CV is that I have used PHP for Uni projects but I dont claim to be a pro or anything with it.

Would the correct way to say it be to say I have a working knowledge of PHP? :confused:

AthlonTom · 28 Apr 2006 at 12:14

Maybe you could downgrade "Working Knowledge" to "General Understanding"?

Zaphan58 · 28 Apr 2006 at 12:17

Understanding sounds better I shall use that, thanks.

gord · 28 Apr 2006 at 12:27

Understanding or experience with sounds better to me.

Working Knowledge reminds me of tacit knowledge, which isnt what your talking about.

Greenlizard0 · 28 Apr 2006 at 12:36

AthlonTom said:
You need to know how to use it in the real world - IE not just from books?

Aye that's what i thought it meant. A sort of integrated understanding of it allowing you to improvise in a sticky situation. (uhh I know what I mean)