96. Algorithms killed the creative
recruitment bots fi dead.
This is a post about not swimming up stream (written in 5 minutes because I’m about to head out).
The job drought is hitting the best of us and we’re getting a lot more honest about the short window of time we have before critical thinking and mid-weight creative roles are outsourced to a data centre.
One 5-minute conversation stretching beyond the pleasantries and people start getting more real.
Have you asked anyone in your industry combating recruitment algorithms and to tell you the truth they’re facing?
I’ll be very honest here. For the past 2 years I’ve applied to probably a thousand part-time roles in my industry to support my freelance gig. I don’t need to count to know I’m not exaggerating.
‘we regret to inform you’ ‘unfortunately we have decided’ and my personal favourite ‘we have found someone closer matching the job description’ sent 5 minutes after my 00.59 submission.
I won’t bore you with stats about companies investing in AI. It’s all there *gestures*, but it reveals something deeper about the rush to outsource humanity for convenience. This can only go one way.
On the advice of a friend, I decided to start advertising my gardening skills (something I’ve been doing on and off for 2 years).
I designed a poster, printed it off and stuck it on a physical noticeboard in my neighbourhood. I waited 24 hours.
*Ping*
‘We need general garden maintenance for our lawn; when can you come??’
*Ping*
*Ping*
‘Do you do hedges?’
*Ping* *Ping* *Ping*
My industry is fickle and seasonal. I can go a whole month without hearing from anyone. Some seasons I am bombarded with commissions back to back. It’s the nature of the beast. Lately the seasons have been stretching longer and longer.
I’ve decided not to swim up stream.
The part time work I’ve been seeking to support my freelance gig is in the garden, not the computer.
Design will be there and I will do it ad hoc, but the future is physical. My one is, anyway.
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