It’s so convenient and easy to perform many chores online these days, because whatever the task, it will get to its destination sometimes within a NY minute. Yet, it has become a very impersonal way of getting things done. Of course, there are the social websites that one can “communicate” with other human beings and stay in touch with friends, but it’s not the same as actually speaking to or interacting with someone in person. Personally, there are situations in which I prefer not to have to talk to anyone and just get the thing, whatever it is, done quickly online and move on with life.
One of the things that is pretty much obsolete today is turning in a job application or resume in person. When calling a firm or business, one gets told to go onto their website to apply for their open position(s) online. Unfortunately, in my view, this way of looking at potential candidates does not allow for many to ever be called for an interview. Human Resources or Supervisors in charge of hiring seem to have less and less time to read lengthy resumes or curriculum vitae, so those of us applying for positions have no choice but to abridge our lists of experience and education, in order for our resumes to not end up in some waste basket or deleted from some email box. Editing a resume can be touchy if not done correctly, because the potential applicant may condense or delete too much, which could actually cause more harm than good when applying for jobs. Doing this poorly may jeopardize the chance of actually getting called for an interview. In the end, it seems that too short a resume may also cost a potential candidate the opportunity to be hired. It is truly a shame that for the sake of convenience and saving money and time, a person who may be a perfect candidate for a specific position may not even be called for an interview because his resume or curriculum vitae was not just so. You’d think that most resumes, even if not “perfect”, would list the key aspects of experience, knowledge and education to pique a potential employer’s interest in wanting to know more about this person, which would be accomplished with an interview. In my opinion, this is not the case. Unless a resume pretty much states exactly what an employer is looking for in a new hire, an applicant will not be called.
Writing one’s resume or curriculum vitae is becoming more sensitive and critical all the time, and unless one really knows what he’s doing, it will be even more difficult to have a chance at being hired than it already is.
People are rushing and pushing themselves more and more, which makes it less likely for human interaction and communication, because who has the time anymore?! Even texting is becoming more popular than actually speaking to someone on the phone. I’m afraid that we as a whole are fast on our way to becoming a very impersonal society, in which everything is done electronically or online.
I’ve concluded that I have a “love-hate” for computers and other gadgets that make our lives convenient and move quicker, but once in a while during a brief moment of contemplation and reflection, I have to be honest and say that I do miss “the good old days”, when we had to talk to one another and bicker in order to get stuff done. In other words, I miss the “personal touch”, whether someone is friendly or not, and at least I would know I’m not alone.
The Impersonal Facet of Technology
No comments:
Post a Comment