Are robots eliminating jobs? Nope. Not even close. Automation is already creating more jobs – and the trend is sticking around. In fact, companies that are digitizing are growing, and that growth is creating more and new kinds of opportunities. In fact, according to ManpowerGroup’s Humans Wanted: Robots Need You report, 91% of employers plan to maintain or increase headcount due to automation. (Yay for robots!) IT demand leads the way No surprise here. IT hiring is hot. And the impact of automation, technology and things like robots will make it even hotter. According to the report, 16% of companies expect an IT headcount increase. And while the demand for hard skills in tech and digital are critical, the need for soft skills are growing more than ever as automation scales and machines handle routine tasks. Companies need humans with a blend of soft and hard skills. Combine those skills with a passion and desire to learn and you will be ahead of the game. How to keep up It’s important to stay current and adaptable. New and/or upgraded skills may be required as jobs are transformed. Employees will be hard to find. Employers will need to find ways to attract or build the talent they need. 76% of U.S. organizations expect to be upskilling their workforce by 2020. You will need to be ready. You will need to keep up. But, how? Soft skills. Soft skills. Soft skills. Did I mention soft skills? You need to improve, refine and build your battery of soft skills. Employees with elevated communication skills, problem solving, and critical thinking skills will rise to the top of the pack. Feel like your teamwork, time management or other soft skill need work? Try taking a course, working with a mentor or asking a friend or colleague for feedback. For more insight into the specific soft skills employers seek, click here. Keep learning. Lifelong learning isn’t just a trendy phrase; it is a requirement for success. Whether you need to go back to school or take an online course, don’t put it off. Stay up-to-date on current requirements, certifications, programs and skills. Take advantage of training opportunities offered by your employer, local universities, professional organizations and more. Many courses are offered at no cost. Look around. Don’t get left behind. Make friends with the robots. Just kidding. Sort of. Be prepare for digitization and automation to take over some elements of your work. Figure out what you can do that a machine can’t and focus on those talents. Maybe your robot friend can bring you a coffee. Transform yourself as the workforce transforms. The opportunities will be there, you just have to be ready for them. Read the full report - Humans Wanted: Robots Need You.

The search for talent is a core part of every businesses strategy and the candidate experience is paramount. As the talent market becomes more candidate driven we know that the interview process is very much a two-way street. By interview stage a candidate will already at some level be attracted to the company and role. They are then using the interview to decide is this the best next step for them. We frequently see the positive and negative impact of the interviewer on a candidate’s decision accept an offer with a company. So how can your business ensure that your interviewers attract the best? From our candidates feedback we have put together some insights and ideas Talent attracts talent – are you looking for someone who is motivated, innovative, driven - make sure that you are embodying these traits in the interview process and when you are discussing the role and the company Be prepared for the interview – make sure you have read the CV thoroughly, identify the areas you want to probe in more detail but also areas where you can find common ground and build a relationship Put yourself in the candidate’s shoes - Most candidates have the same basic questions, but you would be surprised how many come out of the interview without these being fully answered - What will be expected of me in this role? Who are the people I will be working with closely like? What is the team culture like? What is the management style? Know your candidates - Work with your recruitment partner to gain an insight into the motivations of the candidates before the interview, so that you know what to highlight about the company and the role. An hour interview can go by very fast! Success stories - be realistic, if you oversell a role you can be back in the same position looking for someone new in six months’ time Write your notes after – or make simple notes and fill in later. Spending time writing notes and not making eye contact with the interviewee can be off putting Be the person that you would like to have an interview with. We spend a lot of lives with the people we work closely with an interview is a snapshot for the candidate on what that might be like. Being friendly, collaborate and open can go a long way to getting a candidate say yes. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest industry news and trends.