The job market has seen substantial evolution in the last 20 years that is arguably as radical as the industrial revelation. The enormity of the world has shrunk in terms of connectivity both from a communication perspective as well as it has becoming easier to travel to international destinations physically. Technological advances have changed the way that we work, leading to benefits but also drawbacks.
Over the course of the 20th century there were multiple changes that began the technological revolution such as the mainstream use of the telephone in the 1930`s, the introduction of Telex in the 1970`s, the fax machine becoming widely used in the 1980`s and then the real game changer of the internet in the 1990`s.
Artificial intelligence (AI), is becoming more of a focal point for a lot of companies and decisions based on an individuals suitability for a job may soon be in the hands of a software programme rather than an individual. It may sound very futuristic, but some companies are already utilising this tech to streamline further recruitment efficiencies.
The dawn of the internet was not an overnight event and took many years to evolve and mature. Looking back over my lifetime I was fortunate to be growing up at a time that was not only exciting but ground breaking. I started working in the mid 1990`s and at the time my route to employment was reflective of the time. I went into all the shops on the high street, looking for application forms for casual work and enquiring in person if they were recruiting. Whilst this only resulted in a part time job for me, it was the norm for a large group of my peers. In today’s employment market there has been a shift away from this face-to-face contact and instead enquiring online to companies has become a preferred method of job hunting. Whilst this can mean instant access to contact multiple companies through ease to finding general company email addresses, it has lost the human touch and been replaced with less personal corridors of contact between a potential employee and employer, in which people can get lost in, i.e., an email is easier to be forgotten than a face.
Resource planning and our ability to work in real time, due to the internet has had a big impact on the employment sector. Historically there was a dependency on a nibble and re-active workforce (especially in the industrial/blue collar sectors), however it has impacted the job market on multiple levels. Time from order to delivery is shorter than it was 20 + years ago which has meant that businesses can focus on culture and their employee engagement initiatives rather than purely the mechanical output of a product. In other words efficiencies have driven costs down which has created budget for other areas of the business such as finance, HR, Marketing and other back office functions.
Looking at recruitment processes over the past 20 years, this has radically changed as well. CV`s have been a mainstay so far, but this will inevitably evolve and change in years to come. Interviews and the way we interview has changed as well. Employers are still interested in an individuals technical ability but over time personality competencies have become scrutinised far more. The use of psychometric testing, competency based interviews and now presentations have become far more common and relevant. The culture of a business has become more of a focal point and the workplace less draconian. This can never be a bad thing and adapting a recruitment process to enhance company culture is essential. Unfortunately, however there is a risk that `top talent` from a technical prospective can be lost due to not having the right personality traits. The risk/benefit line becomes grey and blurry.
There will be further developments in the recruitment sector that are facilitated by technology when it comes to the employment market. Artificial intelligence and computers reading CV`s are not far away, however I would urge a balance in how we do things. Technology has streamlined the way we do things and has driven some really important efficiencies, however it has removed elements of human interaction. We are social creatures and taking out direct contact with each other can create an element of apathy and enthusiasm. Common sense dictates that combining technology with a human touch makes sense. Next time you are looking to apply for a job, why not call the company that is recruiting or the consultant managing the process and introduce yourself in person.
If you want to have a conversation with one of the Able Bridge Recruitment team about this article or have a recruitment related query, please feel free to email us at info@ablebridge.co.uk or call 0131 202 3215 0141 739 7080.
