Getting back into the workplace.

Many people around the UK and indeed, the world, are currently finding it extremely difficult to find a new job or career, partly because of #AI screening of CVs.

Most people know, that AI scans applications on many job sites and picks up on 'key words' used in the applications, that match the key words in the job description. But it doesn't stop there.....

In a recent job application that I made, I was actually asked by the employer (who had rejected my application based on the AI summary) to review the AI assumptions made in the summary, because they were considering establishing AI within their own employment process.

The summary had missed important key words and completely ignored my BA (Hons) in Law, stating in the summary that the applicant does not appear to have the required knowledge of 'legislation'. The word LAW and the word LEGISLATION, were obviously not a 'match' in the AI view! This was just one of the many negative things I then notified the employer about, in my response.

Many of you reading this blog, will probably have wondered why you often receive job rejections within hours of submission, and always worded in a very similar way, such as "the employer has now moved on to the next stage of the selection process". This is almost certainly, evidence that AI eliminated you, and the employer probably didn't even see your application or CV!

I have changed the wording of my CV and cover letter so many times now, just to include these required 'key words' and have had two interviews since. Both however, hadn't shared information within their job advert, that would have stopped me from applying, such as only paying the national minimum wage! This could have saved them and me, both wasting each others time.

I have a successful background in both middle and senior management positions, as well as much success in sales, Sales Management an as a Sales Trainer, training other sales executives. However, because I took time away to tour the UK & Europe on some big-name music tours as a HGV1 driver, the 'recent career trail' on my CV, the only bit of your resume that the employer seems to read, leads them to believe I'm just a lorry driver! It's only if you make it as far as an actual face to face interview, that you can explain.

I would really like to set-up my own business again and be the only kind of boss I truly trust these days, but to do that, I would need to find an investor/business partner and they are even harder to find than jobs these days.

Meanwhile, central #government in the UK, are trying to push older people like me back into the workplace, or be called 'work-shy', 'uneconomic' or a 'drain on the taxpayer'! They obviously have no idea whatsoever, of just how hard it is trying to find work in the UK right now and then be facing #ageism at the same time. I have heard some young HR execs saying on social media site, that anyone over 40 is 'old'! WTF?

Something needs to change and quickly in recruitment circles and #AI is definitely not ready yet for the challenge being placed at its feet.

Oh, and did I mention my long career within the music industry?

Ross Hemsworth B.A. (Hons) Open (Law, Social Sciences) UK Member - U.S. Songwriters Hall of Fame and The Ivors Academy