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A Recruiter's Journey Through Time

Updated: Jul 26, 2023

"Despite the advancements in technology, one truth holds firm. The essence of recruitment remains steadfastly human..."

Job adverts in a Victorian town square.

From the banks of the Nile to the digital hubs of the 21st century, recruitment has always been an essential human endeavour. It's a tale that stretches over millennia, brimming with innovations and transformations, always pivoting around one crucial element: people.


Imagine a time long ago, before job boards, CVs, or even the humble telephone. Picture yourself as a recruiter in ancient Egypt, around 2700 BC. The Pharaoh has decreed a new army is needed and has given you the monumental task of sourcing troops. You venture out into bustling marketplaces, speaking to potential soldiers, evaluating their fitness, and gauging their loyalty. It's a world away from the clicks and taps of modern technology, but the essence remains the same: connecting the right people to the right roles.


Fast forward to Caesar's Rome in 55 BC, you've mastered the art of the referral scheme, paying a hefty bounty of 3000 Sestertii to anyone who can introduce a quality candidate to join the army. This human-centric practice of attracting talent remains a staple in recruitment even today.


Move now to the Sung Dynasty in China during the 1000s, where you've introduced formal examinations for civil service roles, setting the foundation for modern recruitment tests. Your methods inspire the British army, and they follow suit. Now, it's not just who you know but what you know that counts.


But perhaps the most radical shift in your profession comes from an unexpected source. In the 15th century, Leonardo Da Vinci presents you with a written document outlining his skills and experience as he applies for a role. You are holding the world's first CV.


Your journey takes a significant turn in 1653. Henry Robinson has just opened his innovative 'Office of Addresses and Encounters', despite parliamentary opposition. This marked the creation of the first recruitment agency as we know it today. Pioneers like Robinson laid the groundwork, and others, such as Fred Winslow and Katherine Felton, followed in their footsteps, refining and shaping the recruitment industry.


The industrial revolution marks a significant turning point. With vast industries growing and skilled labour in high demand, your role becomes even more crucial. Imagine the hustle of travelling from town to town, gathering people for work in bustling factories and sprawling mines. Your efforts literally fuel the engine of progress.


The digital age brings sweeping changes to your profession. Computers arrive, swiftly followed by the internet. Job adverts transition from newspaper columns to online postings. CVs shift from typewritten pages sent by mail to digital profiles on platforms like LinkedIn. Applicant tracking systems streamline your work, and AI engines begin to match candidates with vacancies. Then, another innovation emerges - generative AI. These intelligent systems such as AdScribe, capable of producing human-like text, revolutionise your methods of communication, paving the way for more efficient, engaging, and personalised interactions with candidates.


But despite the advancements in technology, one truth holds firm. The essence of recruitment remains steadfastly human. It's the personal touch, the understanding of motivations, the intuition when a candidate is just the right fit - these are the skills that set you apart and cannot be replaced by algorithms or automation.


Book your demo today to adopt the next evolution in recruitment.



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