There are times when certain functions within an organisation gain more power than others, creating a power imbalance that can lead to the exploitation of people and, eventually, significant financial losses for companies. People at the C-suite level understand exactly what I’m talking about.
When Tech used to dominate, Business took the hit due to heavy engineering costs and weak revenue models. Then Business took over and began leading Tech organisations, and an over-dominance of number-crunching started controlling how much innovation Tech teams could pursue, with everything being mapped to ROI. The key issue here is the imbalance between functions.
The same imbalance, now in hiring
Today, I see a similar trend emerging in Human Resources. Too much power has shifted towards Talent Acquisition teams, with AI algorithms increasingly being used to screen, evaluate, select, and reject candidates. Basically, we have added AI logic on top of an already skewed and flawed hiring process where Hiring Managers take no participation in screening rounds. This passivity gives HRs too much power, and only those people get through screening who go by their rule book.
So, if you aren’t getting selected, don’t take it to your heart. You just need to learn the rules of the game.
When did talent have to pay to get a job?
What’s even more concerning is that I’ve come across companies offering 3–6 month-long programmes that teach people how to position themselves with ATS-ready CVs, optimise LinkedIn, automate connections, and build networks that supposedly increase their chances of getting referrals. Essentially, you’re paying ₹1.75 lakh to learn soft skills that can largely be learned using GPT, along with access to a network that, while difficult to build, can be developed organically through platforms like LinkedIn.
The imbalance in the job market has created an opportunity for entrepreneurs to build businesses that charge hefty sums from desperate and demoralised talented people. When did talent have to pay to get a job? Recruitment agencies traditionally got paid by companies to find talent. That, to me, feels like a more balanced model.
A message to those struggling to find a job
It’s happening to far too many people, so don’t lose yourself or your confidence. Try everything. Fail early. Learn early. Post on LinkedIn at least twice a week. Building an audience and a professional network is a long-term game.
Ask AI: why is my CV getting rejected? Or use it to investigate whatever problem is blocking you. And be careful about paying large sums to career-programme startups that promise to unlock the job market for you. Not every career service is worth the price.
There are people offering genuine help right here as well, so read a lot: LinkedIn, Reddit, Quora. lnkd.in/p/gNQ4ZkqE · lnkd.in/p/gZ7AbXC3
Originally published on LinkedIn.
