Automated Computerized Hiring Systems
The internet changed everything, in many ways of course but I'm specifically referring to how people apply for jobs now. Until the internet came along people had two choices: go through the newspaper, call a company, then walk in their door or walk from block to block within your town filling out paper applications. The internet has made both those options disappear (almost) completely and ushered in the time of creating user id and passwords to upload or type in a cover letter, resume and other documents.
Is this better?
In some ways, absolutely. The ease and convenience of being able to search for jobs and contact people with only an email (Facebook post, Instagram or LinkedIn message) is terrific. How much easier and more convenient is it to be able to upload documents or type in your information? How much better is it to complete numerous applications in one day, it can feel like you've accomplished something. All these things have made the process of applying for a job deceptively easier.
At the same time applying for jobs through the internet where applications go through an automated computer system makes the application process very difficult and insanely unproductive in several ways.
1. User ID's and Passwords In 99.9% of web sites for job applications (whether generic like monster/indeed/ziprecruiter or a company website itself) the first thing you're asked to do is create or log in with a user name and password. In job searching you can end up with a list of them for numerous web sites. Many are getting more complex with some asking for security questions and answers or complex passwords.
2. Candidates don't always get to provide a cover letter. These days a cover letter is a debatable necessity (some argue, why bother since they may not even be read) but it is also the only way people have to distinguish, explain or sell themselves.
3. You are required to 'jump through any hoop' that is being asked of you in order to apply for the job. Don't want to supply every piece of personal information about yourself (SSN, middle name, birthday, salary history, references)? Too bad. Don't want to allow a company to check your credit history? Yeah, you don't get a choice if you want to apply to that job. This is just to apply. This is not, 'hey you got the job and we need to know more about you'. You are not even guaranteed an interview at this point.
4. Internet Black Hole Hello, anybody home? Hello?
The general scenario of the automated computer hiring system is a candidate takes the time to write/change a cover letter and resume, create/ log in to a website and submits an application.
From here there are three results:
1, the candidate gets no email, no call for an interview, no acknowledgment whatsoever that they applied (this happens more than you would think).
2, The candidate gets a generic form email;Thank you for applying, We'll be in touch if you meet the qualifications, blah, blah, blah". (This is fairly standard, I don't even bother to finish reading them anymore.)
3. You get an email/ a call for an interview.
Except for the last option the candidate (you and me) have no idea if a human being put their eyes on your resume at all. So if my resume is going into a computerized algorithm to be searched for keywords and only then does a person look at it, did I even get a chance? People just starting out don't get a chance for an interview with a human being because they have no experience yet. People switching careers don't get a chance because they probably don't have the 'right' type of experience.
Anybody who isn't 'the perfect candidate' on paper is overlooked in the application process and won't get an opportunity for an interview to sell themselves or explain why they would be qualified even if they aren't the “perfect” fit. For all of these reasons (and possibly others) this way of applying for jobs isn't working. I recently watched a 'Ted Talk' with the title, 'Looking for a job? Highlight you're ability, not your experience.' After watching it I read the comments, over 1,000 of them, many posts that read, "And there, right there, is where the whole issue lies. Why have a gatekeeper who doesn't see the big picture?" and "This stems from a huge problem though; Automatic Candidacy Screening (ACS). How can a potential employee illustrate their potential if they can’t even get a human eye to look at their resume? Let alone the sparse chance of landing an interview."
I recently found a website that you can read about what is the 'right' things to say on your resume to get your resume seen by a person but why are we accomodating the problem.
We need a new way to apply for open jobs, which begs the question, What is it? How about a few simple ideas like sending an application to a person directly or allowing job candidates send/upload any documents they would like in their application are good options to begin with. These two simple changes would give the candidate reassurance that a person actually saw their resume (this makes a big difference) as well as more control over how they are seen by a potential employer. These changes would also give an employer a better feel for candidates.
New ways to apply could bring in better candidates, new types of candidates to employers. This has the potential to bring new ideas, new products, higher earnings, a better way to do business. It is time for a change in how candidates apply.
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