Are job algorithms good enough?
We’ve all made jokes about the jobs that various ‘professional’ social networks recommend for us. This morning I had a message from ResearchGate:
LinkedIn is no better. Here are two
jobs it recently found for me:
Goodness knows how they vaguely thought I was qualified for these jobs. But never mind – it is only the usual nonsense form free social networks, we think. But it does matter. These reconsiderations come through algorithms. And nearly every Public Employment Service I have talked to is either trialling or considering trialling software which matches applicants to jobs. OK, the algorithms may be better written. And probably the employment services have more data on both applicants and jobs that has the likes of ReseachGate and LinkedIn. But in seeking to provide a better service at less cost through the use of technology the employment services are ignoring that many people need guidance and support when seeking employment form qualified professionals. Taking a job is not like ticking a like on a social website. It involves serious decisions which can affect peoples futures and the future of their family. And, at the moment, Artifical Intelligence is not enough for helping in those decisions.
