Why there's no substitute for face-face conversations: Andy Carpenter
Despite more than 1,900 job seekers outlining email as a preferred platform of communication across the UK, in a world of rapidly developing AI and digital communication it still remains paramount that job seekers of all ages can access recruitment services with the option to speak with an expert face-to-face.
There is a real fear in the recruitment world of losing the chance to have face to face conversations as we see rapid adoption of AI.
Our new data has revealed that across all generations most UK jobseekers prefer email as opposed to phone or text.
A total of 57.1 per cent of candidates tell us this is the case, and while this is true across all different generations, email is most widely preferred by Millennials (59.8 per cent).
We know as a nation we love an email, but we also don’t want to underestimate how important it is to be able to still speak face to face – whether you are an 18-year-old looking for your first job or 64 and wanting something part-time.
A lot of recruitment firms have moved away from traditional methods of communication in recent months following a tech boom, but high quality in person communication is something we will always value and prioritise at Gi Group.
Gi Group’s full data set revealed that there is a strong agreement across generations that email is the preferred communication platform of choice over and above phone (25.5 per cent) and text (17.4 per cent).
While email remains king as jobseekers’ platform of choice, we shouldn’t lose sight on the importance of verbal communication within the workplace.
Many of the management issues we see arise as a result of a reliance on written or digital interactions alone highlights the importance of getting the balance right to avoid misunderstanding in communication or missed deadlines.
The UK workforce is ever changing and both employers and candidates need to be across the latest trends to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to the world of work.
There is no denying that the current climate across the UK has resulted in the most prolonged times of change in modern recruitment. I’ve worked in this industry for 30 years, managing the financial crash, Covid unemployment, hybrid working, Brexit and much more, but I have never experienced such a challenging time of uncertainty. As the UK faces a continuing decline in job vacancies, we feel it has never been more important for recruiters to have their finger on the pulse of exactly what the candidate pool, regardless of industry or geographical location, is looking for. Talent shortages in certain sectors coupled with the sharp rise in AI applications and AI recruitment tactics, paints a bleak image of the recruitment industry, but we firmly believe that understanding a candidate’s; preferred communication method can pay dividends down the line, ensuring precious talent doesn’t slip through the net. While bigger businesses have become more adept at navigating economic uncertainty, we see how smaller businesses are increasingly having to make difficult decisions and are being especially cautious about adding headcount. With fears of a recruitment freeze on the horizon, now is the time for action across the recruitment industry to protect the jobs market.
Andy Carpenter is Managing Director at Gi Group,