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Jan 14, 2021 | Jim Bernier

For a few decades, I have seen staffing evolve and different cycles bring different strategies in the staffing and sourcing process.  Along the way, there have been many changes in how staffing professionals find, attract and source specific talent, some of which work very well, and others dismissed.   The days of running print job ads in newspapers and other print publications is just too slow, and no longer effective of course has come and gone.   The days of simply posting a job on popular websites has also seen its’ hay day and proved wildly successful and no longer effective as it once was.   

Staffing, is no different than other skilled trades and professions whereas you learn the business, learn and adapt along the way on getting the best results possible on your staffing search.  In other words, “its work”.   Time, effort, commitment to excel and practice is the only way a staffing professional will succeed.  

This brings me to the current trend that is being pushed.  Of course, we’re always hearing about the latest and greatest “IT” and “Technology” trends to enrich our lives and take all the work out of “the work”.  It’s not just a trend but the new solution, the magic pill.  It’s what many of the dying job boards are clinging too to convince customers to stick with them and buy another year of service.  They have something new for you.   It will work they promise….  Alast.. “AI”, artificial intelligence is the future.  It will match your jobs and talent, it will eliminate all need to work, know the job you are sourcing for and you can just sit back and relax because the AI bots are here to put you on easy street.   As a matter of fact, artificial intelligence can do your job for you. 

Well, here is the problem.  You like many others have drank up the cool-aid and may have even witnessed how poorly AI works with recruitment.  Simple filters on websites can do wonders.   AI takes something that did work and still works for an experienced staffing professional and brings sourcing and predictive candidate matching to an all-time low. 

Maybe someday this artificial intelligence can be useful but it is a far cry from beneficial in any way when it comes to finding your next hire.   After giving this technology a fair chance and months to convince us of its merits  otherwise, it has only proven its absolute failure. 

As with all industries, it is important to learn and grow.  It’s important to be open minded, but also grounded to what achieves the best end results.  Many trends along the way have been tried and adapted ,or tried and dismissed.   AI for staffing has been the biggest disappointment to role through in the past two decades. 

If you truly want to fill important roles, find a talented staffing specialist who understands the types of roles you hire for.  Hire a staffing specialist to be hands on.  Be wary of anyone selling you the latest techy AI.  You can take this advice and bank on it.   Save yourself the headache and pick up the phone, and call a professional.  It’s the simple.