Thursday, May 28, 2020

How Will AI Change the Hiring Industry

How Will AI Change the Hiring Industry Imagine you lose your job to a machine. One that takes mere hours to do what youd be stuck doing for days.One that doesnt need to rest.That never makes a mistake.The development of Artificial Intelligence has caused many professionals to fear such dramatic scenarios.You have to admitIts a truly disturbing thought.How much does it have to do with reality, then? Lets look into the issue.Using AI during the hiring process offers both benefits and potential pitfalls. On the one hand, it saves HR professionals time. On the otherSome have voiced concerns about the way AI could potentially screen out otherwise qualified candidates. That means hiring the wrong person. That, in turn, increases the employee turnover.What AI Has Already Done to Our JobsHeck, actually, this is already happening:In 2018, the giant online fashion retailer Zalando laid off 250 of their marketing staff in Europe to replace them with algorithms.A few years before, a study by Oxford economists Carl Benedikt Frey and M ichael A. Osborne estimated that as many as 702 specific job categories might be replaced by computerization.Is this a self-fulfilling prophecy?WellTwo websites willrobotstakemyjob.com and replacedbyrobot.info have been created to help people evaluate whether their careers are about to go extinct.Whether we like it or not, AI has been a sea change for many industries.True, the technology has rendered some positions obsolete, but in other ways, it has freed professionals from tedious, time-consuming tasks.One of the fields that has greatly benefited from the blessings of AI is the HR industry. Hiring professionals all over the world have begun using AI to streamline the recruitment process.What does that mean for you, though?Well That these little bots might not strip you of your job yet, but whether or not you even get employed is at their soulless mercy.How AI Influences Hiring DecisionsOne of the most tedious tasks HR personnel formerly had to tackle involvedgoing through hundreds of resumesto narrow the candidate pool.Using AI to do this task saves HR pros hours by eliminating candidates whose resumes do not meet the preliminary requirements of the open job.According to Haroon Mohamad, head of the data science team at Entelo, worlds leading recruitment software provider, his company's resume screening software can also determine how likely candidates are to change jobs within the first 90 days. How? By analyzing data about the length of time they have stayed with other positions.AI resume screening programs also allow recruitersto gather additional information about the candidatethat does not appear on their resumes. With these AI programs, HR professionals can measure metrics such as their ability to avoid grammatical errors and their technological savvy.In today's technology-driven workplace, AI screening software prevents HR representatives from spending valuable interview time on candidates who may have impressive pedigrees, butWho nevertheless lack the foundational computer literacy to perform specific tasks such as creating an Excel spreadsheet.Additionally, many screening software programs allow HR professionals to include a personality test to determine whether or not the candidates' characteristics mesh with the company culture before calling them in for an interview.Smart HR professionals understand that while a candidate may look good on paper and possess the right skills set, if their personality doesn't fit in with that of others in the workplace, they may start looking for greener pastures soon after getting hired.This will lead, again, to higher turnover and additional recruitment costs.NowThat candidates profiles in hiring portals are scrutinized by bots is becoming commonly accepted. But some AI software doesnt stop there.You might have heard that most recruiters will check your online presence before inviting you to an interview. Wellnowadays, recruitment AI can lend a hand with that as well.Believe it or not, hiring software has been programmed to identify candidates behaviors that may throw up red flags, such as online complaints about former employers indicating a candidate lacks loyalty and discretion.Obviously, for job seekers, this means they should take care not to publish content that makes potential employers question their integrity or motivation.Of courseyou wouldnt post a picture of yourself doing drugs in a VIP lounge of your friends club.But you should also avoid criticizing your employers publicly or discussing specific details of your work life. That could make you appear indiscreet or simply unable to maintain company confidentiality.Alright thenSo youve accepted that in this brave new world, you might have to endear the AI to get a stab at that dream job interview.Then, at last, you get actual living humans to evaluate how well you fit the job.Well. Not so fast.AI has now become so advanced that HR pros can conduct initial interview screenings using software.Some software prog rams nowuse facial recognition technologyto scan candidates' facial expressions while taking the AI interview, which can indicate whether they responded frankly and honestly.A polygraph scare on top of the regular interview anxietyhow about that?By allowing AI to conduct initial interviews, HR professionals save time and can narrow the candidate field further without ever speaking to potential new hires.Finally, AI allows HR pros to easily schedule in-person or internet-based interviews without picking up the phone:HR professionals can email candidates who pass the initial screening a link to a calendar page where they list their available interview times. Candidates merely need to click the interview time they prefer and instantly add the interview to their Outlook or Google calendars.Does AI Eliminate Bias?AI software offers many benefits, but does using AI eliminate bias or increase it?According to Entelo's Mohamad, their software decreases bias significantly by eliminating words and phrases that may cause a recruiter to subconsciously pass a candidate by for discriminatory reasons.Mohamad explained Entelo removes several features that could potentially bias HR professionals, including the candidates' name, gender and ethnicity.This practice allows far more diverse candidates to land interviews, as research from Harvard School of Business indicates African and Asian candidateshave a better chance of landing a job interviewif their names sound white versus sounding ethnic.Additionally, Mohamad pointed out Entelo omits lengthy career gaps, as women are 20 percent more likely to experience career gaps when taking time off to raise children.This feature also helps reduce recruiter bias by eliminating prejudice against women with children because caring for their kids may take them away from their work-related responsibilities.Entelo also deletes school information other than the degree earned to avoid bias against candidates who attended all-male or all-female educational institutions.However, critics of using AI in recruiting argue the use of such software may actually do the contrary.One argument against the use of AI for hiring purposes centers on the fact that any software program is only as good as the designers can make it, meaning poorly designed platforms may fail in their attempt to eliminate bias.The way some software searches social media profiles may likewise increase bias. People change over time, and posts from a decade ago may not accurately represent who the candidate is today.AI may potentially discriminate against candidates with scant economic means, or at the very least, may use this information to offer a starting salary far less than what they would offer a candidate whose job history indicates a higher salary level.In a live interview, candidates can evade the question about past compensation, but when AI discovers salary information online, this can potentially cost the candidates with poorer salary histories money .Finally, critics of using a primarily AI-based hiring process say no software can truly offer the kind of insight person-to-person discussions reveal.By taking human intuition out of the initial contact, quality candidates may never make it to the in-person interview stage where they could explain things such as career changes and frequent moves.Also, automating the hiring process leads to candidate frustration as they spend countless hours filling out job application after job application, only to receive this:A computer-generated rejection letter that tells them nothing except that the employer decided to pursue other candidates.(That is, if they receive a response at all.)While job seekers should expect to spend a significant amount of time finding the right position, relying solely on AI denies them the ability to ask the potential employer for valuable feedback that could improve their future chances.Like it or not, the use of AI for hiring will continue. Recent report has rev ealed that 75% of Talent Acquisition professionals claim technology will play a more significant role in their hiring processes in 2019.So, what do you think?Can you think of any aspects of recruiting we didnt cover and that could be affected by AI?Have you had an experience, as either a recruiter or a job applicant, in which you think artificial intelligence could have come in handy?Do you think there are any downsides to its integration in recruiting?Let us know in the comments! We cant wait to hear your thoughts.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Why Cheltenham Festival is One of the Best Horse Racing Events Around

Why Cheltenham Festival is One of the Best Horse Racing Events Around With the countdown to Cheltenham back on for this year’s exciting event in March, the excitement is building. Cheltenham Festival has become a fixture of the horse racing calendar and is one of the most prestigious events in the world. It’s a passionate four-day meeting that serves as an emotional rollercoaster for all involved, bringing us famous names like Arkle, Kauto Star, Best Mate and Golden Miller, and some of the most exciting moments in racing. But what is it that makes this event so popular, even with those who are new to the sport? Honour and Prestige Britain has a long history of great racing, from Royal Ascot to Newmarket dating back to Queen Anne and James I. Compared to meetings like these, Cheltenham is a newcomer that only started up in 1911. For jockeys and their horses, a victory at Cheltenham is a rite of passage where an accolade places them among the finest in racing. It’s the shining showpiece of the National Hunt season, with only the finest jumps horses of Britain and Ireland taking place. From the Champions Hurdle to the Festival Trophy, there are various intense races over the course of the festival. But the most highly sought-after prize is the Gold Cup â€" a race that’s run over three miles, with two and a half furlongs and 22 fences to tackle on the way. Cheltenham is the home of jumps racing and it’s a truly unmissable event, with thousands attending every year and millions more around the world tuning in to watch it on TV. And from one year to the next, those numbers only increase. Even the Jockey Club has spent over £80 million on the facilities for this event in the last 30 years alone in order to meet the demands of the crowds. While British entrants dominate this event, Irish raiders have also played a crucial role in shaping the Festival. An Adrenalin Rush for Visitors Cheltenham doesn’t just offer possibilities to the riders, but also to those watching the event. Visitors to Cheltenham have more to enjoy than just racing and betting  using timeform â€" the festival also has food and drink to appreciate, with several restaurants and bars on site, entertainment in the form of live music, and hospitality options with boxes in the main stand. In terms of a spectator sport, Cheltenham has long felt more inclusive than some other racing events, giving it a fun atmosphere. The festival is even known for the ‘Cheltenham Roar’, referring to the immense amount of noise the crowds make as the starter raises the tape for the initial race. The real joy of Cheltenham and the reason why it’s been such a popular event for so long is that it’s a meeting where it feels possible for anyone to enjoy success. After all, back in 1990, a 100 to one outsider won the Gold Cup â€" even gifted amateurs can win if they have the skill and talent, as the history books can attest to.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

How To Use LinkedIn Advice From A Recruiter - VocationVillage

How To Use LinkedIn Advice From A Recruiter - VocationVillage Job seekers, recruiter Bruce Hurwitz has advice on how to use LinkedIn: Focus on keywords and make your availability clear! He explains,I use LinkedIn to find candidates. I do a search in the geographic area of my client, filtering by industry, and I send a message through LinkedIn to everyone in my network who appears in the search results. Before I contact candidates, I dont actually read any profiles. Who has the time and what do I care if they are qualified or not? If they are qualified and interested, theyll follow-up with me. If they are qualified and not interested, or if they are unqualified, they may know someone and forward my message on to them. I probably close 90% of my searches in this way.When Hurwitzs first LinkedIn account reached 30,000 connections, he started a second one that is now up to 9,000 connections. He accepts all connection requests if the profile has a professional photo and heading and the industry is not sketchy. He has successfully conducted searches in a very diverse array of industries for many different types of jobs, from administrative assistants to neuroscientists to fundraisers to executive directors.Hurwitz advises job seekers to put Open to new opportunities in their profiles. I asked him to describe some LinkedIn recruiting success stories. He provided these examples:LinkedIn Success Story: Executive AssistantUsing LinkedIn, Hurwitz searched for an executive assistant for a real estate development company in Brooklyn, NY. He contacted everyone in Greater New York City who was either in administration, real estate or had executive assistant or administrative assistant in their profile. He found one candidate and contacted him. The man said he was not interested in the job but said his wife was. This was on a Monday. On Tuesday, she sent her resume to Hurwitz. He interviewed her on Wednesday. On Friday, she met with Hurwitzs client and she landed the job. She started work on the following Monday.LinkedIn Success Story: C all Center DirectorFor a publishing company. Hurwitz did a LinkedIn search on call center. In 10 minutes, he identified a candidate. He submitted the candidate to the client for consideration and the candidate became a finalist for the job. Could social media be any more fast and effective?LinkedIn Success Story: National Sales DirectorSurprisingly, LinkedIn does not have an industry category for sales, so Hurwitz sent a message to everyone in his network who listed marketing and advertising. In six hours, he started to receive resumes. Out of the five candidates he submitted to the client for consideration, three were interviewed and two were finalists. A win for the candidates and for the employer.Hurwitz concludes,The key is to make certain that you use keywords that fit your career goal. If, for example, you are an accountant in real estate, dont put real estate as your industry, use accountant or financial services or something that indicates WHAT you do not WHERE you do it. Th at way, you might get lucky and be able to make an industry change if thats your objective.. Bruce Hurwitz is the founder of HSS Staffing, a boutique executive recruiting and career counseling services firm. Founded in 2009 with the mission of promoting the hiring of veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and Merchant Marine, HSS serves everyone regardless of veteran status. HSS works with small non-profits to multinational corporations, as well as individuals from college graduates to seasoned executives.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

6 Ways to Beat Stress at Work

6 Ways to Beat Stress at Work Everyone suffers with the feeling of stress from time to time, but if its interfering with your productivity, then it may be time to take a step back and try and work out its route cause. Work shouldnt drive you crazy, even if your boss thinks otherwise. Weve put together a list of our top tips on how to defeat stress and put the enjoyment back into work. 1)  Sleeping Getting the right amount of sleep can work wonders for your stress levels. Its definitely easier said than done however, as most experts recommend 8 hours each night which can be near impossible when you have a busy lifestyle. If you find it hard to get enough sleep, each night try and go to bed a little earlier than the previous one. Every little helps! 2) Cut back Its genuinely true what they say a cluttered desk is a cluttered mind. Clearing out your desk will be both very satisfying and also beneficial to your stress levels. 3) Work life balance Having an equal work life balance can work wonders for your stress levels. Turn off emails and work notifications on the weekends and evenings. Basically, leave work at work. Enjoy your time away from work as it will refresh you and boost your productivity when you are at work. 4) Talk about it Whether its with your manager, a colleague or even family/friends, if youre feeling overwhelmed and stressed out it always makes a difference if you talk about it. 5) Exercise Aim to exercise for at least half an hour, 3 times a week. Not only  does it  release endorphins to help you feel good, but its also great for helping your mind feel fresher. 6) Make sensible food choices What you eat can really have an effect on stress and productivity levels. If you eat healthy food at regular intervals your mind is more likely to stay alert. What are you top tips on staying cool at work? Let us know in the comments below! Main image credit: Shutterstock

Thursday, May 14, 2020

7 ways you can make a barista job look good on your CV - Debut

7 ways you can make a barista job look good on your CV - Debut This post was written by a member of the Debut Student Publisher Network. Working in Starbucks isnt the death knell for your career. In fact, quite the opposite. Sonali Gidwani tells us why. A job as a barista always seemed to me like a good way to make some extra pocket money, get free coffee and learn how to orchestrate perfect coffee architect. Upon further pondering, I realised that working in a coffee shop, or any FB and retail role, does wonders for your personal skillset and career prospects. Also, don’t worry if you’re unable to get a highly competitive spring or summer internship, you’re not settling for anything less by taking up a barista job. In fact, you might learn much more than your corporate peers. Customer service   With firm strategies becoming more customer-focused then ever before, customer service is key. How do you deal with a customer’s requirements? Whether it’s catering to a person’s usual coffee or food allergies of someone who’s visiting your store for the first time, proactive and genuine service is key. Communication and working under pressure This goes hand in hand with customer service. Good communication is key to great service. Moreover, being able to quickly coordinate with colleagues and customers during busy times of the day also improves how swiftly and effectively you can communicate a situation to the rest of your colleagues. Time management Holding down a barista job whilst managing your university commitments is a fantastic way to learn time management skills. Managing shifts, travel time, academics, extra-curriculars and job applications is no mean feat, so make sure you flesh out your time management skills on your CV. Quality control It’s important that whatever you make and sell is of the highest quality, especially when it comes to food and drink. If your output is of high quality in your barista or retail job, you can showcase your attention to detail and commitment to high quality services to your future employer. Leadership   Sometimes youll be required to train other students, manage a till or coordinate re-stocking in a store. In that case, you will most certainly pick up real-world leadership skills and see immediate results. Financial management You’ll learn the best ways to save and manage your money, and will also gain financial independence. An aptitude for effectively handling money will not go unnoticed by an employer. Building relationships Whether it’s with your colleagues, regular customers or suppliers, your ability to build relationships with people will be extremely useful in a corporate setting. Particularly in client-facing roles such as corporate banking and consulting. So if you’re considering a part-time job at your local coffee shop, pizzeria or Marks and Spencers, I would strongly advise submitting an application ASAP. Good luck! Follow Sonali on Twitter @SonaliGGidwani Connect with Debut on Facebook and Twitter

Sunday, May 10, 2020

How short-term jobs can impact long-term career goals

How short-term jobs can impact long-term career goals Many of the individuals I meet with are not engaged in their current career. They are looking for a new path, a new organization or even a new perspective. Oftentimes during the course of our work together, there comes a time, when the question of a band-aid approach comes up. Should they take a new position in a short-term job as they work toward longer-term career goals? Lets talk about this! When a Band-Aid approach might come into play Sometimes clients want a complete career transition and that can take time. My career transition did! When I decided to leave my corporate position for a career that focused on helping people, I knew my transition would take time. My transition included going back to school followed by a year-long internship. Once I made up my mind to pursue my new career, I put the wheels in motion. However, I had to wait. I submitted my application to graduate school and had to wait to see if I could get in. So I decided on a band-aid approach. I accepted a position within my current organization where I could make an impact and help them move their projects forward. Did this role get me closer to my career goals?  No. Was I engaged in my work?  Not particularly. Do my short-term careers take me off track from my longer-term career goals?  No. Did it meet my needs at the time?  Yes. Sometimes, as we focus on longer term goals, we need to take a new position or a new path in the short-term. At times it will move us closer to the goals, other times it will allow us to develop new skills, other times it will meet some more immediate needs. When might a Band-aid approach might cause problems Sometimes, you need to take a new position to meet a short-term need. like a need to leave a specific work environment or a need for security or need for extra income That temporary position could help you move toward a longer-term role, or it could serve as a distraction toward the larger career goals. I have worked with clients who are seeking a more substantial career transition. Before they figure out exactly what they want to transition their career to, they take a new position. This new position seemingly will offer them the stability they need to continue the inner work to identify the new position. For some of these individuals, though, it distracts them from the longer-term work! It consumes their time, their energy and their focus. When employing a band-aid solution, think about the impacts to the longer-term career goal and how that career management work is going to be weaved into a new job. How will you find the time? the energy? the focus? It’s important to think about that before the band-aid solution becomes another disengaging opportunity that causes you to seek another change. Short-term or band-aid solutions are often part of our career journeys. We learn from them and they can help us make progress toward longer-term goals. It’s up to us to make sure the short-term fix doesn’t cause us to stray too far away from the work to find a fulfilling career path.

Friday, May 8, 2020

3 Ways You May be Networking Wrong

3 Ways You May be Networking Wrong Networking is valuable whether you’re actively looking for a job or not. If for some reason you believe building your network doesn’t bring any value to your personal or professional career, then there’s a chance you may be doing it wrong. Having a solid LinkedIn profile is one of the most effective ways to make new connections. But how you approach each of those connections could be the difference between them being a viable resource or just another name. If you’re going to spend time with the top rated resume writing services and attending networking events, then it’s best to do it the right way. Here are some of the mistakes executives make when networking. Talking Too Much It’s human nature to talk about yourself, since no one knows more about you than you. However, when you’re networking, it’s better to allow the other person to do the talking and just be a great listener. Of course, you have to throw in a story or two or build on the points the other person makes, but try not to take control of the conversation. Similarly to executive resume writing, using the right words is better than using a high quantity of words. Not Talking To Enough People It’s also human nature to find an interesting person and spend the entire evening talking to them. The point of networking events, though, is to talk to a variety of people to get your name out there more. To help you with this, take a look at your LinkedIn profile before the event and see which of your connections are attending a certain event. Write down a list of names or make a mental note about them and seek them out at the event. When you’re a LinkedIn connection with someone, they should at least see your face as being familiar, at the very least. Even if you just introduce yourself and hand out a business card, it’s better than not speaking to that person at all. Neglecting to Follow Up Even if you’ve done the first two points to perfection, not following up with them will make all of your efforts disappear. You don’t have to call, email or text them right when you leave the event, but consider visiting their LinkedIn profile afterward and thank them for the opportunity to talk to them. At that point, you can invite them to other events or see if they would like to get together with you individually to talk more. You don’t necessarily have to follow up with every person you talked to at the event. But you should follow up with the people you connected with the most. Professional Resume Services wants to help enhance your networking efforts. We are one of the top rated resume writing services because we cater to each individual’s needs. Whether you need help with executive resume writing, cover letter writing or just need networking tips, we are here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us at any time for any tips or advice as it relates to your professional career.