Recruitment in Pre-Digital Times

This morning, the most terrible of things happened at IC Creative.

For two and a half hours, we were transported to pre-historic (well, pre-digital age) times when the local internet connection went down, and along with it, our server capability.

Now, working out in the sunshine-soaked sticks is usually an uplifting and soul-soothing experience. However, our bucolic location (and lack of technological back up) worked against us on this occasion as we were plunged into digi-darkness, having to rely on pen and paper, telephone conversations, and our own memory to get things done.

Without knowing whether our messages were reaching their recipients, how were we to know if we had successfully booked in that interview or imparted the details of a great role? More importantly – how could we tell if the jobs we matched to designers were hitting the spot for them?

Having this kind of time delay is something recruiters aren’t used to. By nature, we want to ensure that everything moves as seamlessly as possible – if someone wants their details sent to a hiring manager at their dream company, it is beneficial for all parties to get that done as soon as possible!

Timing is everything.

The next question is – information – where can you get it, if Google is off-limits? Did recruiters visit libraries every lunch break, or simply keep an Encyclopedia close to hand? Did they have a Rolodex and a Yellow Pages on their desk at all times? Imagine flipping through scores of company and candidate details to get names, numbers and addresses every time you needed them. Information was once a tangible thing which felt like turning the corner of a page and running an ink-stained finger down a printed list of facts. Today it is as readily available and fleeting as the air we breathe.

It really is mind-boggling to me that recruiters functioned perfectly well before the internet.

Now, as our emails from the  early hours of the morning slowly filter through and we can load up LinkedIn and G+ to catch up on the news, it is back to the modern world with us. The morning’s break was refreshing, but in its’ wake we feel a certain creeping dread that we may have missed out on urgent messages, rescheduling issues, or even a flash Twitter trend.

 

As always, please feel free to contact me.