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O P I N I O N
The HR algorithm Taking a cue from Spotify, the recruiting industry is poised to create tailored playlists of design professionals looking for the ideal job.
I love listening to music. I think I have a fairly diverse palate. I like jazz – Coltrane, Monk, and Davis. I like old school hip-hop – Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Run D.M.C. I’m a huge fan of the Police and ‘80s bands like Dexys Midnight Runners, Devo, B-52’s, and the Talking Heads. I love Jamiroquai and the Brand New Heavies. And, I can even hang with opera – think Turandot and Maria Callas.
Randy Wilburn
You didn’t think I was going to spend an entire article talking about music and playlists, did you? No, I just want to drive home the point that technology is changing the way we do everything. Recruiting is no exception. “This type of algorithmic programming and machine learning is creeping into every facet of our lives, including what we listen to or buy from Amazon – and yes, even how we recruit design professionals.”
It sounds crazy, and I’m fine with it. It’s funny because before the Spotify app came along, I was just a guy with a rambling collection of music from all genres. Now, not only does Spotify organize all of my music by categories and preferred playlists, but the Spotify algorithm observes my listening behavior and makes recommendations of other artists and songs that it thinks I may like. I look forward to my “Discover Weekly” playlist every Monday morning. Because of this algorithm, my musical selection has undergone a tremendous expansion. This type of algorithmic programming and machine learning is creeping into every facet of our lives, including what we listen to or buy from Amazon – and yes, even how we recruit design professionals.
See RANDY WILBURN, page 8
THE ZWEIG LETTER February 6, 2017, ISSUE 1186
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