Is this the end for Recruitment Agencies?
Yes and of course, No.
There is a lot of noise in the market surrounding new technologies that will disrupt the recruitment market. From AI to Blockchain those that are raising cash to fund their tech platforms are heralding the end for recruitment agencies. "Candidates are more than educated enough to deal directly with the employer who is looking to hire them; they don’t need to communicate via a third party. It just adds a day or two to the hiring process." So says Arran Stewart of Job.com who at some point in his career claims he was a recruitment consultant although it is absent from his LI profile.
All this proves is that not all recruitment agencies operate in the same way. Yes, for those agencies who are no more than CV shifters I suspect the end will be nigh in the next 5 years. They add so little value that tech will replace them.
It is adding value that both our clients and candidates look for. Not all agencies are perfect all the time, so blockchain will have that advantage as it's not open to human error.
Yet it is our people that add the value and the key elements that tech currently can't compete with. Maybe Arran was a recruitment agent. The best recruiters are recruitment consultants. Aspire and other professional consultancies take the time to meet our clients to understand and interrogate their requirements. We advise on the state of the talent market and consult around the skills and competencies required for the role. Tech doesn't do that. In fact it's more likely that tech will encourage hiring managers into narrower talent silos of unrealistic wish lists.
Tech doesn't negotiate, consultants do. Consultants meet candidates and don't just assess their skills. We seek out motivations, reasons for leaving roles and consult on potential new opportunities. Yes Tech can help assess skills but is likely to miss transferable skills as it won't have asked the right questions. Tech isn't the employer brand ambassador, it doesn't tell a story, paint the picture of the role, employer or hiring manager. It doesn't describe the workplace or the culture . It doesn't take feedback, prepare the candidate for interview or the other million amazing things a great recruitment consultant does do.
We don't always get it right. We are human. Being human is our strength and why we help change peoples lives and improve organisational performance. We will buy your tech and apply it because we are highly valued and here to stay.
Bringing Skilled people together to build a low carbon future
6yAs a recruiter i find it frustrating when people belittle the industry we are in. I welcome change, it’s long overdue. Every recruiter I know works extremely hard, evenings weekend even holidays . Any AI that makes the job more efficient is welcome but AI can’t replace human interaction, ability to understand culture fit, negotiate for flexibility, manage diaries, support candidates with counter offers, support companies to manage their skill gaps, consult on the market the list goes on. If you rely solely on tech, companies will miss out on the passive talent market as well. I look forward to spending more time with my clients and candidates and less time on admin ! Bring it on
Global Portfolio lead Microsoft Stack - Problem Solver * Leadership * Business Transformation * AI Technology Innovation (Applied AI)
6yNo it isn't ….
Maternity cover completes 17th April 2025 - seeking new opportunity, perm ideally otherwise FTC, immediately available
6yMy view is that there is nothing more soul destroying than the current position of applying for roles through the various job boards most agencies seem to use, where the majority of the time it is like going into a big black hole. You get an automated response and not much else and very little interaction. I tend to rely on those key 'relationships' Ive built up over years with recruitment consultants who I know and trust. There has to be a better way and whilst some of the answer is in technology, the rest is in those trusted relationships, where good consultants have their ear to the ground and their finger on the pulse. The current system needs a massive overhaul
Talent Acquisition I Recruiting Strategy I Tech I Careers I Wellbeing
6yAI, technology has its place as with everything. Without the essential human element and connection, aspects we deeply crave as sentient beings, we are but lost and at a loss
Placing talented Cyber Security professionals into both contract and perm roles and helping employers make meaningful ED+I progress
6yAI and blockchain will surely encourage businesses to look for a carbon copy of themselves. I personally believe that it will narrow the talent pool as you will only be seeing the surface not understanding the human beneath. I am worried about the long term implications on diversity that AI will bring. When you factor in the value - add I feel that consultancies will not only continue but will become crucial in the growth strategy for agile businesses.