Blockchain and Recruitment: In Context

Sharing and verifying documents is a vital part of the recruitment process, and blockchain presents potentially exciting opportunities to streamline processes in this area. As well as efficiency gains, the ledger technology brings transparency and traceability to the process. Data stored on the blockchain cannot be changed and is described as inflexible and immovable. Adopting blockchain platforms relies on recruiters and candidates trusting the technology, and trust will only come after the individuals have grasped an understanding of the technology.

It is most likely that the public face of blockchain in recruitment will be a digital passport, containing all of the important documentation relating to hiring. One of the newest platforms, Zinc, allows candidates to have their own digital work passport that provides recruiters with access to a verified work history, credentials and references before the interview stage.

Whether blockchain and GDPR are compatible is already a talking point. If data is stored on distributed databases that are decentralised (Ethereum is a popular and established blockchain platform), how can it comply with regulation? To comply with the " right to be forgotten", you need to make sure that when needed, you are able to ensure that every copy of data is deleted in the network.

As we see changes in the world today, it is clear to see that the world of recruitment will change to make us more efficient and effective to add value to our clients. Just as it is too early to tell if and how the future of digital currencies will evolve, so will the use of blockchains in the internal and external recruitment process. What will the impact be and what will it look like? Companies such as IBM, SAP and MasterCard already have their own blockchain platforms, Burt right now it is still too early to tell...the technology can be clunky - however there could be a time when the adoption of this technology by recruiters could gradually become the norm.