COULD A ROBOT DO MY JOB?????

Last night encouraged by a few libations a friend and I started our usual meandering drinking conversation taking in global economics, local economics, music, arts, women, sport, fashion, some politics (although with us that is a dangerous road) and then of course the obligatory "my job is the hardest job in the world" session.

During the latter stages of the night my friend, we'll call him Davy... because that's his name, opined that the reason he feels secure in his role (journalist... but not in the sexy, dangerous investigative way), is because it cannot be carried out by a robot. Before all you Star Trek fans correct me and point out that robot is not the correct term and what would really be utilised to replace my role would be an algorithm and a computer, I know this! but I wanted to use a picture of Johnny 5 from the 80's movie Short Circuit (don't make em like they used to). At the time this point was only briefly touched on before we moved onto an in-depth discussion on Bruce Springsteen... of course.

Anyway, I woke up this morning and actually started thinking about the concept of whether my job could be automated, actually first I thought of breakfast then quite quickly became disgusted by the thought of breakfast before getting back to the initial question. So I have now ruminated on this point for a morning and I think that perhaps a big part of the recruitment consultant  remit could be automated.... ON PAPER!

Yes an algorithm can pick out markers on a CV and match them to technical specs, PPA assessments can often give a frightening insight into peoples personalities but in my opinion its the 10% on top of this that only a human can do that actually leads to successful recruitment. Judgement, empathy, creativity and desire are all human conditions that can not be duplicated by an algorithm and  often it is these intangibles that make the difference in sourcing the right candidates for companies or striving to get good results for good candidates whom a consultant believes in and wants to help.

I briefly considered looking into creating a Robo- Rec product (T.M) and approaching Mark Zuckerberg for investment just to hedge my bets but then I realised my most sophisticated IT achievement to date was downloading the Just Eat app.

So I feel along with Davy the pseudo journalist that I am safe for the foreseeable future as a robot could not fully do my job......... and anyway, most right minded robots would burn out after a month from the stress!!!! :)