How Hiring Has Changed From 20 Years Ago

20 years ago…

A Personnel Manager advertised a job by:

• Placing an ad in the paper, usually in Sunday’s job section!
• Handing out applications to walk-in job seekers.
• Talking to their network, friends & family.
• Encouraging referrals through sign up sheets/cards that were on the shelf in the HR office with all of the other forms.
• Calling a temporary agency for a temp.
• Reaching out to their favorite search firm or headhunter for more difficult positions.

Job seekers applied by:

• Walk-in resume submission in the office lobby.
• Sending resumes by fax machine, postal mail, hand delivery or even a courier!
• Signing up in person at the local temporary agency.
• Talking to their network, friends & family.

Employers reviewed talent by:

• Batching and reviewing resumes — Often times a task to do at night in front of the TV.
• Searching  for talent on Resumix or other early Applicant tracking systems (as time allowed).
• Calling applicants, returning calls and screening people over the phone (leaving a lot of messages on home voicemail machines)
• Keeping track of activity with paper sheets or maybe excel.
• Interviewing people in person.

In the last 20 years, technology and social media have made significant changes to the way we hire talent. What things do you miss about the old-fashioned way of hiring? What technology and social media are you forever grateful for? Are there any new things that you wish were never invented or introduced?