It would be fair to say that the ways in which we attract, recruit and retain staff have changed considerably over the past 10-20 years - from the impact of migration to the advance of technology, we are all on our toes...or are we?
Change is something that many people fear, others welcome it with open arms but one thing is for sure - when change comes you either adapt or get blown away in the breeze! Never has that been as important as within the recruitment industry, where reputations and client /candidate perceptions can make or break you...
I feel that the industry is making progress to becoming more inclusive but the reality is that, the industry still has alot more to do. When you think that many recruiters have a good academic background, high standard of work experience and role models that they aspire to become, i wonder how many have taken 'a walk in the shoes' of the job candidate whose life has been completely different and more importantly, acted upon the experience?
I hope there are many.
Dont get me wrong..candidates must be given equal opportunity on merit and not because they are disadvantaged in any way, but how many creative skills, innnovative approaches to work or any other hidden benefits are overlooked because of a resistance to change?
We are developing into a nation, that sniffs at a selfish need for profit but focuses on social entrepreneurship, climate change; we are becoming increasingly aware of our impact on others.
I wonder if the day will come when we turn from a sales-orientated industry into a truly people-orientated industry?
